Please join us in using the power of sport to raise money for a worthy cause. The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation uses the power of sport to bring together children and young adults around the world, addressing their social issues such as gang and knife crime, depression and HIV / AIDS through a worldwide programme of sports related projects. We are offering you the opportunity to not only spend three days cycling from London to Paris to support a great cause, but also to ride with Laureus World Sports Academy member and five-time Tour de France winner, Miguel Indurain.

The route will take you through the beautiful English countryside, across the Channel, via stunning vineyards and picturesque French villages before arriving, as the Tour de France winners do, for a celebratory finish at the Arc de Triomphe.


• The ride will set off from London on Thursday 24 September and arrive in Paris on Saturday 26 September.

• There will be a celebratory dinner in Paris on Saturday 26 September

• You will have Sunday 27 September free in Paris before taking the Eurostar home in the afternoon.

• You will be asked to cycle 234 miles over the 3 days. The longest ride is 100 miles, so you should try and make sure that you can ride something approaching this distance before you set off.

• When you enter we will give you a training pack, full of lots of helpful hints and tips, to help you prepare for the ride.



Miguel Indurain - Laureus World Sports Academy member

Miguel Indurain accomplished one of the greatest feats in cycling when he became the first man to win the Tour de France, the world’s premier distance cycling event, five times in succession. At the time the only other cycling greats to have won the Tour five times were Jacques Anquetil, Eddie Merckx and Bernard Hinault, but none of them managed to post their wins in a row. His achievement has only ever been surpassed by Lance Armstrong.

Indurain’s extraordinary exploits made him one of Spain’s greatest sportsman; his indomitable strength and the respect he showed both his fellow competitors and fans, made him one of the most popular cyclists of all time.

Indurain, who was born in a small village in the Spanish province of Navarre, began cycling in his home region. He became a cadet cyclist under the Spanish federation in ‘78 and, as an amateur, was Spanish champion in ‘83. The following year, he turned professional, but had an inauspicious start, dropping out of the Tour in ‘85 and ‘86. However he improved year by year, eventually finishing 10th in ’90.

After his breakthrough win in ‘91, he went onto dominate the Tour over the next five years, propelling him to the position he now occupies in the annals of international cycling. In ‘94, Indurain set a world hour record of over 54 km/hr and, in ‘96 he won gold at the Olympic Games in Atlanta in the individual time trial. He is unequivocally one of the greatest cyclists of all time and this is your chance to ride with him!


ITINERARY

Day 1 – London to Portsmouth
100kms/63 miles 1200m Ascent We meet early on Thursday morning at Mercedes-Benz World in Brooklands, Weybridge. Following a short welcome meeting, we make our way out of town along small country roads to our lunch spot in the heart of rural Surrey. We pass through the prettiest of villages, along small roads, heading up and over the North Downs, to our tea break before dinner. Accommodation is in a local hotel in Portsmouth.


Day 2 – Caen to Bernay
100kms/63 mimles 630m Ascent We take the 7am ferry departure from Portsmouth, having breakfast on board. We arrive in the village of Ouistreham, France, near Caen, before mid-day. We head off into the French countryside with a fabulous picnic lunch just a couple of hours away. As we pass tiny hamlets, rustic farmhouses and fields of horses we end our day’s cycling in the historical town of Bernay, heralded for its medieval buildings.


Day 3 – Bernay to the Arc de Triopmhe, Paris
163kms/100miles 1035m Ascent The final morning is another early start to give time for our 100 mile day! We pass fields of sunflowers and corn and stop for refreshments in tranquil little villages along the way. The route takes us past the large town of Evreux, before once again passing through the undulating hills towards the Palace of Versailles, former home of the French Monarchy. We rest here before embarking on the last leg of the journey that will take us all the way to the Arc de Triomphe, Paris. We celebrate our ride with a glass of champagne and dinner in a restaurant in Paris.


Day 4 – Free Day!
Make the most of all that Paris has to offer before taking the Eurostar back to St Pancras at 4pm. Travel times to other European destinations may vary.



DIFFICULTY

• This isn’t an easy ride, but then it wouldn’t be a challenge if it was!

• Cyclists of all abilities should feel free to sign up - this event has been specifically designed to cater for all abilities, whatever your speed, endurance or experience. The participants will be divided into groups according to the speed at which they feel comfortable riding at and each group will have it’s own guide to show the riders the way, provide support and offer motivation

• As with any challenge, the more you put into it the more you will get back! This is true for the training, fundraising and for the event itself. Experience tells us that you will have a great deal more fun if you are fully prepared for the event.

• In addition, if you choose to get involved, we will send you a whole host of ideas on how to get fit and a training schedule to help you prepare for the big day.


TERRAIN

• The terrain consists of some gentle rolling hills and some long flat sections. We would recommend practising a few hill climbs before the event, not least because they help with all round fitness.

• All riding will take place on roads, so road bikes are recommended. However, the ride can (and has) been carried out on hybrid and mountain bikes.

• When you sign up we will send you a full equipment list, including details on the type of bike you will need and other accessories that will make your ride more comfortable and enjoyable.



Registration/deposit

If you would like to register you will need to send us a £150 non refundable deposit by 1st July 2009.

Minimum sponsorship:

The minimum sponsorship amount that we ask you to raise is £1350. Once you register we will send you a fundraising pack, designed to give you lots of handy hints and tips to raise the most money you can.

Deadlines

If you would like to take part we will need the following amounts by the given times:
• Deposit: £150 by 1st July 2009
• Remaining balance: 31st August 2009

Price includes:

• 3 nights accommodation (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
• Ferry from Portsmouth to Caen
• Eurostar from Paris to London St Pancras
• All food from morning snack on Day 1 to breakfast on day of departure
• Celebratory dinner
• Guides at a ratio of 1 per team of 10 people
• Medic support
• Support vehicles
• Luggage transfers between accommodations
• Mechanic support

Price does not include:

• Bike and other cycling equipment
• Drinks with meals
• Personal insurance
• Bike insurance
• Lunch on free day in Paris
• Transport to the start
• Transport from St Pancras at the end of the event

Accommodation options:

You will be staying in mainly 2/3* hotels. We will ask all participants to share a room. If you know who you would like to share with, before the ride commences, please let us know and we will do our best to arrange this. If you would prefer some peace and quiet we can arrange a single room for you for an additional single supplement.

FAQ
1. How fit do I need to be?
You should have a basic level of fitness, which will allow you to be cycling about 6-8 hours each day over three days. Please read the itinerary carefully to make sure you know what it entails. There is a Training Programme available for you to follow. There will be stops for lunch, drinks, photographs, etc.

2. What if I am not fit enough to keep up?
We will split people up into smaller groups of similar fitness levels so that everyone is cycling with a group of a similar standard. There will therefore be faster and slower groups. There will be qualified guides and the ride organiser who will be able to take care of you and encourage you to get to your next destination.

3. What equipment will I need?
You will need to bring your own bike (we recommend a road bike or alternatively a hybrid or mountain bike with slick tyres), helmet, bottle cages & bottles and a comfortable back pack with wide, cushioned, shoulder straps and a waist strap to put all your gear in that you may want to carry each day and a separate holdall or backpack for your luggage to be separately transported. You will also need a light waterproof/windproof top.

4. What will I need to carry each day?
Each day you will need to carry your sunscreen, water, camera, a light top, money, etc. Your other luggage will be transported separately to your hotel each day. Your lunches and refreshment stops will be provided at fixed points.

5. What is the accommodation like?
Each night will be spent in very comfortable 2-3* hotels. The rooms will be twins and occasionally triples or quads. Single rooms can be requested for an additional supplement. If you are travelling on your own, we will pair you up with a person of a similar age and the same sex.

6. What are the other participants like?
Participants come from a whole host of backgrounds but all are united by a common cause: they are like-minded people who have chosen to give up their personal time to fundraise, train and to go on a unique event which will benefit the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

7. What will the weather be like?
You should have warm days and slightly cooler evenings. This being England, there is, of course, a chance of rain. Temperatures can range from mid teens°c to mid 30°c.

8. Can you cater for disabilities?
If you have a note from your doctor that states you are fit and able to do this event, then we will welcome you on the event.

9. Who will be looking after me on the event?
To give you the safety levels you deserve, we will operate a policy of having one guide looking after 10 participants all of a similar standard. The guides on the event are all English speaking, with extensive years experience of bike mechanics and guiding. There will be at least one first aid qualified ride organiser and a medic.

10. Can I extend my stay?
Yes, but ...if you decide to extend your stay you will forfeit your return journey on the Eurostar and will have to purchase another ticket at your own expense. Unfortunately we cannot help you with accommodation for your extension. If you are extending your trip, please advise us of this.

11. What are your top tips for this trip?
There is no replacement for training and spending time in the saddle. The more you train the more you will enjoy the trip. Do your body a favour by building up to distances, which will increase your stamina and muscle strength. If you are going to spend money on clothing buy a technical breathable waterproof jacket that will last you for years.



If you have any further questions, please contact
Tom Soper:
tom.soper@laureus.com
/ 0207 514 2799




Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
The goal of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation is to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people around the world. Sometimes sport is the only language they understand. The only way to reach them. We fund sports projects on every continent which break down social barriers and bring young people together. Inspired by our Patron Nelson Mandela, we go into our second decade focused on our mission: to bring hope where there is despair, to bring reconciliation where there is conflict; and to bring a brighter future for countless young people around the world.

The Foundation supports over 65 projects in 28 countries worldwide and since its inception 10 years ago has improved the lives of over one million children. This work is carried out through its Global Foundation and a growing network of nine subsidiary National Foundations in Argentina, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and the United States.
www.laureus.com/foundation



NOTAS PARA LOS REDACTORES

El presidente de honor de los Premios Laureus es Nelson Mandela. En la ceremonia inaugural de los Laureus World Sports Awards (Premios Laureus del Deporte Internacional), celebrada en el año 2000, el Presidente Mandela afirmó: "El deporte tiene el poder de cambiar el mundo. Tiene el poder de inspirar. Tiene el poder de unir a la gente como pocas cosas pueden hacerlo. El deporte puede despertar la esperanza donde antes sólo había desesperación.” Estas palabras se han convertido en la filosofía de los Laureus y en la fuerza motriz de su labor.

Laureus es un movimiento universal que celebra el poder del deporte para unir a la gente con el fin de hacer el bien. Laureus está compuesto por tres elementos clave: la Laureus World Sports Academy (Academia Laureus del Deporte Internacional), los Laureus World Sports Awards (Premios Laureus del Deporte Internacional) y la Laureus Sport for Good Foundation (Fundación benéfica Laureus Sport for Good), y en su conjunto rinden homenaje a la excelencia deportiva y aprovechan el poder del deporte para fomentar el cambio social.

Los miembros de la Laureus World Sports Academy (Academia Laureus del Deporte Internacional) son: Giacomo Agostini, Marcus Allen, Severiano Ballesteros, Franz Beckenbauer, Boris Becker, Ian Botham, Sergey Bubka, Bobby Charlton, Sebastian Coe, Nadia Comaneci, Yaping Deng, Marcel Desailly, Kapil Dev, David Douillet, Emerson Fittipaldi, Sean Fitzpatrick, Dawn Fraser, Cathy Freeman, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Mika Häkkinen, Tony Hawk, Mike Horn, Miguel Induráin, Michael Johnson, Kip Keino, Franz Klammer, Dan Marino, John McEnroe, Edwin Moses (Presidente), Nawal El Moutawakel, Robby Naish, Ilie Nastase, Martina Navratilova, Alexei Nemov, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Morné du Plessis, Hugo Porta, Vivian Richards, Monica Seles, Mark Spitz, Daley Thompson, Alberto Tomba, Steve Waugh y Katarina Witt.

Los integrantes de la Academia Laureus ofrecen sus servicios como embajadores mundiales de la Laureus Sport for Good Foundation (Fundación benéfica Laureus Sport for Good), que se fundó con el fin de fomentar el uso del deporte como herramienta para el cambio social. La fundación se enfrenta a los desafíos de la sociedad a través un programa mundial de iniciativas para el desarrollo comunitario relacionadas con el deporte. Desde su inicio, Laureus ha recaudado 20 millones de euros para proyectos que han ayudado a mejorar las vidas de más de un millón de jóvenes. La fundación aborda en concreto, aunque sin limitarse a ello, los problemas de los jóvenes afectados por la exclusión social, la violencia armada y generada por bandas, la discriminación, la integración en la comunidad, la paz y la reconciliación, además de la educación.

Los Laureus World Sports Awards (Premios Laureus del Deporte Internacional) son los principales galardones del deporte mundial, que cada año rinden homenaje a los mejores deportistas de todas las disciplinas. Los ganadores son seleccionados por el jurado deportivo por excelencia: los 46 miembros de la Laureus World Sports Academy (Academia Laureus del Deporte Internacional), leyendas vivas del deporte que rinden homenaje a los grandes atletas de la actualidad. 

El proceso de votación para designar a los ganadores de los Laureus World Sports Awards (Premios Laureus del Deporte Internacional) se divide en dos partes. En primer lugar, un comité de selección formado por los principales redactores, cronistas y presentadores deportivos ha votado para seleccionar a seis nominados en cinco categorías: Laureus World Sportsman of the Year (Mejor deportista masculino internacional del año), Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year (Mejor deportista femenina internacional del año), Laureus World Team of the Year (Mejor equipo internacional del año), Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year (Mejor revelación internacional del año) y Laureus World Comeback of the Year (Mejor reaparición internacional del año). Jurados especializados votan a dos categorías adicionales: el Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year (Mejor deportista extremo internacional del año) y el Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability (Mejor deportista discapacitado internacional del año). A continuación, los miembros de la Laureus World Sports Academy (Academia Laureus del Deporte Internacional) realizan una votación secreta para seleccionar a los ganadores de las siete categorías. 

Laureus fue creado por sus socios fundadores, Daimler y Richemont, y recibe el apoyo de sus socios globales Mercedes-Benz, IWC Schaffhausen y Vodafone.

Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz, la empresa fabricante de vehículos más antigua del mundo, puede presumir de tradición única. Esta marca de primera destaca por sus modernos e innovadores automóviles, a la vez que representa la calidad, la seguridad, el confort y el diseño. Mercedes-Benz disfruta de una excelente reputación, en particular en el campo de la tecnología de seguridad. Gran parte de las innovaciones tecnológicas pioneras que en la actualidad son prestaciones de serie de todos los automóviles aparecieron por primera vez en un coche Mercedes-Benz. Los coches de la estrella también gozan de una excelente reputación por su calidad, su relación calidad-precio y la satisfacción de sus clientes. Mercedes-Benz es socio global de la Laureus Sport for Good Foundation (Fundación benéfica Laureus Sport for Good). Desde el inicio de las actividades de la fundación en el año 2000, Mercedes-Benz ha compartido y apoyado los valores y objetivos de este programa benéfico internacional, en el que el deporte desempeña el papel protagonista en la lucha contra los problemas sociales. Laureus se ha convertido en un elemento de vital importancia para el programa de responsabilidad social corporativa de Mercedes-Benz.

IWC Schaffhausen
Desde hace más de un siglo, IWC Schaffhausen fabrica productos de precisión de compleja funcionalidad y una extraordinaria facilidad de uso para los entendidos que esperan de su reloj algo más que un instrumento que marque la hora con precisión. Desde su fundación en 1868, la International Watch Company se ha labrado una excelente reputación como empresa relojera suiza con solera, con una gran pasión por los inventos, las soluciones innovadoras y la perfección técnica. Hoy en día, la marca disfruta del momento de mayor éxito de toda su historia. IWC aprovecha su fortaleza para promover un programa de iniciativas de responsabilidad social corporativa tanto en Suiza como en otros países. En 2005, la IWC aceptó un compromiso a largo plazo como socio global de la Laureus Sport for Good Foundation (Fundación benéfica Laureus Sport for Good).

Vodafone
Vodafone, el grupo líder mundial en telefonía móvil, con más de 303 millones de clientes proporcionales y presencia en más de 27 países de los cinco continentes, además de 40 operadores asociados en todo el mundo, apoya a Laureus como nuevo socio global, con un acuerdo quinquenal que comenzó en 2008 y concluirá en 2012. Vodafone patrocina el deporte desde hace mucho tiempo y está encantado de formar parte de una organización que rinde homenaje a la excelencia deportiva, tanto a nivel solidario mediante la labor humanitaria de la Laureus Sport for Good Foundation (Fundación benéfica Laureus Sport for Good) como con la élite del deporte mediante los Laureus World Sports Awards (Premios Laureus del Deporte Internacional), que premian los logros de los mejores deportistas.