UK's RIDE24 event secures qualification status for Race Across America

With less than two weeks to go before the 2011 edition of RIDE24, the UK’s only 24-hour cycling endurance track event, organisers Action Medical Research have revealed that it has been selected as the first UK event to Race Across America (RAAM) qualifier status for solo riders wanting to demonstrate that they are up to the challenge of that race.

This year’s RIDE24 takes place at the Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit in West Sussex on 18 and 19 June, and sees entrants attempt to complete the greatest distance in 24 hours.

It is open to both teams and individuals, with prizes awarded in categories four-man team, six-man team, mixed-sex team, all-female team, veterans and solo rider.
Supported by Team Sky sponsor IG Markets, the event will also be attended this year by former world and Olympic champion Chris Boardman.

Action Medical Research has confirmed that its supporter Chris Armishaw, from Billericay, has become the first rider signed up to attempt the RAAM qualifying standard in this year’s RIDE24 event.

Aged 46, Armishaw is aiming to raise £50,000 for the charity in next year’s RAAM, a coast-to-coast ride of 3,000 miles, with the money helping to fund research into conditions affecting children and babies.

RAAM’s Race Director, Fred Boethling said: “We are delighted to include RIDE24 as a UK qualifying event for Race Across America. Riding for 24 hours non-stop should give solo participants a very small idea of what they will need to put themselves through should they brave the challenge of RAAM.”

The winning team in the four-man category in this year’s RIDE24 will receive free entry to French 24 Heures Velo event at Circuit Bugatti in Le Mans, while the Swiss watchmaker Roamer will give a prize of a watch to the rider setting the quickest lap.

Full details of RIDE24, including how to enter, can be found here.