A Fantastic Finish

Now updated with photos After being escorted the last 10km by members of Stockport Fire Brigade (on their bikes), this afternoon the 2010 Betfair LifeCycle Challenge team rode proudly up to the Old Trafford stadium and were met by Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of Manchester United Football Club. Several family members of the Maltese cyclists were also there to give a huge Maltese welcome, making it a noisy and emotional scene. Sir Alex spent 15 to 20 minutes signing shirts and autographs and expressed amazement at the cyclists covering such a great distance over such a short time. LifeCycle chairman Alan Curry said it was one of the most glamorous finishes possible, and with many football fans in the team it gave added inspiration to the cyclists to finish. He also stated that the group as a whole were a credit to Malta for what they had done for persons less fortunate than themselves. Tomorrow many of the team have tickets for the Manchester United vs Westham game in Old Trafford, thanks to the efforts of Betfair and the Manchester United Supporters Club in Malta. For those who aren’t football fans tomorrow will simply be an opportunity to rest, recharge and perhaps do some shopping, and then the whole team will get together for a celebratory meal at Old Trafford in the evening. On Sunday (29th August), the challenge team will be arriving back in Malta on flight KM139 from Manchester, due in at 14:50. They would love to see friends, family and supporters when they come through the doors into the arrivals hall, so get there if you can!

Click here to learn how you can support the 2010 Betfair LifeCycle Challenge, as the team cycles over 2000km from Venice to Manchester in 12 days.