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Day 2 Mansell forges
through another day on the London to Paris 2010
After testing the abilities of groups 5, 1 and 2, on the first day, the UK Youth team decided that their training session would be best suited to starting the day in Group 3, where the riders had a level of ability to ride in a group and stay together through the different sections of the day’s challenges. After arriving in the bike service park from the hotel, the team set about setting up the bikes in readiness for the days ride ahead. The general banter and buzz of excitement from all parties on L2P gave the service park a really electric feel and this was only heightened when Nigel, Magnus and Team UK Youth joined their fellow riders to cheer each group as they set off.
At 8am, Nigel and Team UK Youth set off from Coquelles, escorted by the highly professional MSO motorbike support group. The day started well with the built up area rapidly changing to open fields and smooth tarmac. Before 10km had been covered, however, the roads began to climb and Nigel and the team began to feel the effects of a days riding.
One of the unique things that sets this event apart from other sports is the way the stronger riders support the weaker. When the group meet the hills, those that find the climb hard are supported by the stronger rider with a hand on the centre of their backs, helping to push them up the tough sections. Even though Nigel found the hill sections extremely tough, he still managed to help quite a few riders at the back up the hills, chatting away to those around him and encouraging those who were struggling with the pace.
By the first stop Nigel had developed a tender right knee, which became more painful as the day went on. Undaunted, Nigel managed to get back on his bike and carry on gaining admiration from those around him. The one and a half kilometre climb at Lottinghen, was particularly tough and
Leo, Greg and Ian were joined by Magnus encouraging each other to make it to the top, which Nigel managed to do before stopping for a much needed lunch break and help from his physio.
After the lunch stop, the riders set off in their groups again. Due to his knee, Nigel decided that he would return to group 5, joined by Ian Williams in support, while Leo and Greg decided to give the pace of the group 2 a go. Although the pace was between 15 and 20km/ph the heat and constant climbs made the afternoon a true test of Nigel’s resolve to continue to the
end. Will Carling, a fellow rider in group 5 commented, when asked how he would feel if this was only day 2 of a 13 day challenge at this pace –
“I have absolutely no idea how they will do it, all I can say is Don’t Do It. You’re mad to try.”
The Essence of L2P
 By the end of the day, Nigel was clearly exhausted and pleased to get off the bike. Once back at the hotel he struggled to make it down the stairs for food, and many of his fellow riders questioned his ability to carry on.
Stephen Roche, the retired Tour de France racer and Eurosport commentator said “I have ridden with Nigel and the team quite a bit today and I am extremely impressed with Nigel sheer determination to complete the days ride. At no point did he even consider quitting and sitting in the support car for awhile. It shows the sheer guts of the man and what made him an F1 champion – good luck to him on his Challenge, he deserves to raise thousands”
Magnus and Nigel after a gruelling day two.
f anyone wishes to support Nigel and the UK Youth team on the Nigel Mansell UK Youth Cycle  Challenge you can either text ‘Youth’ to 84025*, or go to the website www.positiveaboutyouth.org and follow the links for supporting the Cycle Challenge.
The Challenge begins on the 22nd July from Kensington Palace and ends on the 3rd August at Canary Wharf. Over the 13 days Nigel, Magnus and the team will also attend a number of events organised by the UK Youth Bike Club. Nigel is hoping to get a million people to text their support and show they are behind the young people of Britain.*Text donations cost £1.50 plus your standard Operator charge for one text. A minimum of £0.81 from each text message will be donated to UK Youth. You must be over 16 and have the bill payer’s permission to make a text donation. UK Youth is a registered charity – Charity No 1110590 (England & Wales). For info contact: 01425 675106 | |
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