Posted on July 16, 2012

Teammates Ride to Make a Difference in 2012 Trois Etapes

World Bicycle Relief is extremely excited to announce its selection for participation in the 2012 Trois Etapes - a televised 3-day pro/am fundraising ride in the French Alps.

Right on the heels of the Tour de France, the 2012 Trois Etapes pits amateur cycling teams against one another in classic Tour de France Alpine climbs including Galibier, Alpe D’Huez, Glandon, Croix de Fer, and Madeleine all in the name of a good cause. Each amateur team is joined by a professional cyclist and a full support crew on the mountain routes.

Team World Bicycle Relief’s innaugural appearance at the Trois Etapes will be led by Team MTN Qhubeka professional cyclist, Songezo Jim. As a member of Team MTN Qhubeka, Songezo Jim is no stranger to raising awareness of mobility issues in rural Africa. In partnership with World Bicycle Relief, Qhubeka projects provide bicycles to children in return for work done to improve their environment and their community. “Qhubeka”, the Nguni word meaning “to carry on”, is an apt name for MTN Qhubeka, Africa’s most winning and largest multi-discipline pro cycle race team.

“Back when I lived in the Eastern Cape, I used to walk to school." says Team MTN Qhubeka member and Team WBR rider Songezo Jim. "I walked for over an hour to get there. I know how it is and how much time it takes, so the World Bicycle Relief/Qhubeka project is something I really love. And it’s not about spoon-feeding people; you have to work to get a bike, which is great. It’s something I never had and I appreciate what they’re doing.”

More on Songezo's Story >
The cause behind Team World Bicycle Relief >

Rounding out the Team World Bicycle Relief Trois Etape squad are five amazing amateur riders: David Avery, Andrew McPherson, Austen Reid, Thorsten Willhelms and Soren Muse. Each of these skilled riders has committed to fundraising a minimum of 5,000 GBP ($8,000) for World Bicycle Relief with all proceeds going to World Bicycle Relief's education program in rural Africa. A generous donor has also committed to matching the first $20,000 raised through the Team World Bicycle Relief Trois Etape riders!

Click the photos above to learn more about our amazing Trois Etape riders and help them share the Power of Bicycles today!

The Trois Etapes will be led by 2008 Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre and runs from July 29th – July 31st. The image above shows Sastre and 2012 Team World Bicycle Relief member David Avery with the World Bicycle Relief Buffalo Bicycle at the Trois Etape Launch party held in London on May 31st, 2012. Below, World Bicycle Relief UK board member Lucy Lynch and Team World Bicycle Relief riders David Avery and Thorsten Wilhelms gather at the Launch event in London and share their excitement for the upcoming adventure.