Geoff Thomas to get back in the saddle a year after controversial Lance Armstrong ride
Ex-Wolves star Geoff Thomas is to run a repeat of his Tour de France endurance charity bike ride which controversially saw shamed drugs cheat Lance Armstrong return to the saddle for the first time.
But there is no indication yet that Armstrong, who was stripped of his seven yellow jerseys, will be returning to France for the ride.
The former England midfielder sparked an international outcry by inviting Armstrong to join him and 10 amateur riders on the Le Tour – One Day Ahead charity ride earlier this year.
He is hoping to raise £2 million for the Birmingham-based charity Cure Leukaemia which saved his life more than a decade ago.
He said: "We've had so many people enquire about next year's event that we might need a double decker bus to fit the team in. Lance's involvement has been central to that. It allowed us to put our message onto the world stage.
"People are more aware of what we're trying to do and it's up to me now to build on the foundations and raise a lot more awareness and money over the next five or 10 years."
Armstrong joined the former Wolves captain and the riders for two stages in the south of France.
It helped raise more than £700,000 for the charity's work at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
It will cost riders signing up to the three-week ride £50,000 to participate in the event including a deposit of £10,000 payable immediately to secure a place. They also have to raise £50,000 in sponsorship.
The event's website says: "The goal of Le Tour – One Day Ahead is simple; to give you the nearest experience you can get to being part of a pro-team.
"Full rolling road closures, team bus, service vehicles, motorcycle outriders, dedicated mechanics and full medical, nutritional and sports-physio support as well as the cheers and support of the spectators already lining the course in anticipation of the pros.
"As a finale we'll stay two nights at a beautiful 5-star hotel in Paris to celebrate the achievement, recover from the previous 21 days and also to watch the pros arrive the day after.
"A truly once in a lifetime, bucket list event, that only 20 cyclists can take part in."
Potential participants will need to undergo an initial fitness check by Wattbike, which will also provide a training programme to ensure they can cope with the rigours of the three weeks' riding which will include the Alps, Pyrenees and Mont Ventoux.
Geoff also runs a London to Paris bike ride that raises money for Cure Leukaemia.
To find out more about Geoff's Tour de France challenge visit: www.beforethetour.com. To enter London 2 Paris: Inspiring The Revolution, visit: www.L2Prevolution.com.
