For bookings and further information call

The VU team are busy this week and not just talking rugby! Cyclothon UK has re-launched and will be taking place on September 13th, 2012 at Brands Hatch.  Victor will be appearing at the Rose Bikes stand at the London Bike Show (Excel) on Thursday and Friday and challenges anyone to come and size him up to see if they could race him up those hills at Brands Hatch. He has so far wisely declined the request to wear his cycling lycra, but please pop along to say hello and ask how his training's going.

For all the up to date information on Cyclothon UK, please visit the event website: http://www.cyclothonuk.com and follow us on twitter @cyclothonuk

All the good stuff is in the press release below...

Don't forget - London Excel Arena for the London Bike Show starting Thursday 12th January. See you there!

Cyclothon UK creates competition between the rugby home nations

KENT– Following the huge success of the inaugural event, Cyclothon UK returns to Brands Hatch on Thursday 13 September 2012. Cyclothon UK is a team relay, road cycling endurance race round the Grand Prix Circuit. Charities, corporations and individuals are encouraged to enter a team of 4-8ppl to challenge themselves and each other in a relay event of 8 or 12 hours of road cycling endurance around the track.

England Rugby legends that raced last year are keen to get back on the track and have recruited others to fire up even more competition. Phil de Glanville, who captained England in 1996 is self-appointed skipper of Team Bulldogs and along with team mates Rory Underwood, Ian Hunter, Jon Sleightholme, and Jon Callard have thrown down the gauntlet to rugby challengers Victor Ubogu, Mark Regan, Nigel Redman, Craig Chalmers, Colin Charvis and David Hilton. De Glanville reveals their secret weapon: “We will be training very hard, and now that we have Sleights on board we will all get in the slipstream of his nose and will be hard to beat…”

Cyclothon UK is a concept devised by ex-England and Bath Rugby prop forward Victor Ubogu, with the backing of his sports and hospitality company, VU Ltd. Delighted with the success of last year’s event Victor said:  “I was amazed about how much people expressed their enjoyment of the day and pledge to be back again next year. An astonishing £30k raised for various charities was incredible. I have already been auctioned off to ride with a team, and with over a dozen former rugby internationals committed to participating in 2012, the celebrity team challenge will be strong.”

Already supporting the event are returning sponsors Rose Bikes, Scimitar Sports Clothing, Hotlines Europe and Schwalbe tyres. Artemis and Love Velo are two new partners this year and several negotiations are currently in place for a title sponsor. Dave Taylor, Marketing Director of Schwalbe said about their involvement: “Schwalbe are delighted to be tyre sponsor for Cyclothon 2012. We believe that our road tyres are the best in the world and where better to showcase them than at one of Britain’s best loved race venues and have them tested by some of the toughest athletes in the UK!”

At the first Cyclothon UK in September 2011, teams were based within the pit garages at Brands Hatch and between laps were treated to complimentary sports massage from Norwich City College, ongoing mechanical support from Gary’s Bikes, banter with international sporting stars and hearty catering and hospitality all day. Other activities on offer included the Rollapalooza static challenge, demos from Foffa Bikes and Rose Bikes, a DJ set from Basement Entertainment and energy samples from Forever Living Products.

Brands Hatch Race Circuit is the official training circuit for Team GB cyclists and the official venue of the London 2012 Paralympic Road Cycling event. The opportunity to cycle on this iconic track is rare in itself and the comfort and services offered to the riders throughout the day was a pleasant surprise to many of the challengers at the 2011 event. John Cooney of Ernst & Young commented: “The catering, the bonhomie amongst the teams, the friendliness of the rugby players, the fantastic and seamless organisation, and of course Victor's backside in lycra all made it a very memorable day.....as did winning some quite special prizes!"

The prizes awarded were an exciting surprise to many contestants last year as winners walked away with custom designed Rose Bikes, Bike vouchers and Nintendo products. In 2012, category winners will again be rewarded with bikes and accessories from Rose, Hotlines and Schwalbe or a luxury European cycling holiday courtesy of Love Velo.

In 2011, 15 charity teams entered Cyclothon UK and over £30,000 was raised collectively. Ian Jenkinson, Fundraiser at the RFU Injured Players Foundation said “Both our teams had a great day at the Cyclothon event and they especially enjoyed being able to compete against the rugby stars like Victor and Rory…Overall we’ve raised a fantastic £11,000 from this event and we’ll be hoping to get even more teams to ride for the IPF and support and protect the rugby families in 2012.”

Cyclists of all abilities who would like to enter the 2012 challenge can book online at www.cyclothonuk.com or call 0871 871 5300. Teams consisting of 4-8ppl get use of half a pit garage (subject to availability), medical support, free massage, mechanical support, fundraising support, timing equipment, breakfast, lunch, all day refreshments, a cycling t-shirt and goody bag. A buffet dinner and awards ceremony will follow the 7.30pm race finish. A solo rider can also enter at the special rate of £150+VAT and will enjoy use of a shared pit garage.

For more details visit www.cyclothonuk.com or follow updates on twitter @cyclothonuk