Rugby players take on 24-hour cycling challenge

The group are aiming for a 17mph average to hit all the checkpoints within 24 hours

Professional rugby players are cycling 350 miles (563.27km) in 24 hours to raise awareness of the urgency in finding a cure for motor neurone disease (MND).

Gloucester Rugby legend Billy Twelvetrees is among the group that set from Kingsholm Stadium at 08:00 BST on Monday, hoping to return 24 hours later.

The 4Ed Cycle made its debut over three days in summer 2022, following former English rugby union player Ed Slater's MND diagnosis.

The initiative has so far raised more than £36,000 of its £74,500 target.

'Future is unclear'

To symbolise the urgency in finding a cure, this year's 'Ride Against Time' will take place in just one day.

MND affects the nerves found in the brain and spinal cord. Progression of the disease can be rapid and there is currently no cure.

More than half of those affected die within two years of being diagnosed.

"It really hit my wife and I as soon as we heard about Ed's terrible news," said Mr Twelvetrees.

"It's drastically sad, we were angry. We all want to help as friends and teammates, and that's what I'm here to do."

Mr Twelvetrees will be joined for sections of the journey by former teammates and friends, including Lewis Ludlow, Jim Hamilton and Fraser Balmain.

They will be calling in at Twickenham stadium via Milton Keynes RFC before circling back again.

Mr Slater said completing the three day cycle in 2022 is something he often reminisces on

Mr Slater is now in a powered wheelchair using speech recognition software, and can no longer take part in the cycle himself.

But Mr Ludlow says he often talks fondly of their three-day adventure and has "taken on the mantle" of raising awareness of MND, regardless of his own ability.

Mr Ludlow said: "There's no better reality check than the fact that Ed started us off last time, led us round and did the whole thing.

"Sadly now, because of his condition, he's where he's at. But his spirit is still the same, his laugh, jokes and humour are still the same, and that'll get us through it."

The money raised from the cycling challenge will be split between various MND foundations and charities.