Gold, silver and bronze medals were presented by Olympic and World Champion cyclist Nicole Cooke to the Iron Horses, Avis Team 2 and Keep it Wheel who came in first, second and third place respectively in Ride 24, the unique, 24 hour, team relay bike race, organised by leading children’s charity, Action Medical Research.   Ride 24, inspired by the 24 Hours of Le Mans motorsports, took place at the Dunsfold aerodrome, Surrey, home of the Top Gear test track and began on Saturday 27 June at midday and 23 teams of four and one ‘lone cyclist’ cycled for 24 hours non-stop until midday on Sunday 28 June.  The lone rider managed to cycle a staggering 55 laps, a distance of 252 km in 24 hours and the veteran’s (over 40)’s top place went to Optima Insomniacs who cycled 147 laps, 674 km.

The winning team, The Iron Horses cycled a magnificent 179 laps, a total of 821.6 km and it seemed that their strategy of cycling for 45 minutes each followed by a rest worked.  Olivier Vidal, one of the team said:  “Our strategy was to keep on attacking and it’s fantastic that we won.  Cycling through the night was hard, but we did it.”

Olympic and World Champion cyclist, Nicole Cooke has set up a new women’s professional cycling team, Vision1 Racing and has formed a partnership with Action Medical Research. “Presenting the awards to the winners, Nicole Cooke says:  “Well done to all the teams who took part in Ride 24.  To race non-stop for 24 hours, even as part of a relay team, is an amazing achievement, and shows stamina and determination.  Congratulations to The Iron Horses who cycled the farthest and won the gold medal, and the award won by the veterans team show that cycling is open to everyone whatever their age.”

Sarah Stevenson, community fundraising manager at Action Medical Research, said: “Ride 24 is a new event for Action Medical Research and I am delighted at how successful it was.  Well done to all the teams that took part and we hope that their success will encourage them and others to sign up next year.”

For more information about Action Medical Research’s cycling events, visit the website: http://www.action.org.uk/get_involved.