Search
shop

IRONMAN world champions to ride with cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy

Fundraising charity bike ride is helping raise awareness of living with Stage 4 cancer
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy, the six-time Olympic gold medallist, is set to host a series of Zwift rides – with the first featuring triathlon stars Lucy Charles-Barclay and Sam Laidlow.

The launch event, which takes place on Saturday morning (8 February 2025) at 10am GMT, is to support a global effort to raise awareness and funds for cancer research through the Tour de 4 charity.

And Sir Chris will continue to lead rides throughout the summer on Zwift, which has said it will match charitable donations made by the community up to £50,000.

IRONMAN champions join the ride

And the two IRONMAN world champions from 2023 will be involved in the launch ride – Britain’s Lucy Charles-Barclay and men’s victor Sam Laidlow of France both joining Sir Chris.

VinFast IRONMAN World Championship 2023 - Lucy Charles-Barclay bike aero
Lucy Charles-Barclay will join the Tour de 4 launch event [Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images for IRONMAN]

The 45-minute ride will take place on Zwift’s Tempus Fugit route – an out-and-back time trial course with very little elevation gain.

Further rides will take place fortnightly until the end of May, with monthly events scheduled through June, July and August. The final Tour de 4 event with be a real life ride in Scotland on 7 September. All participants will unlock the in-game Chris Hoy Tour de 4 kit.

Zwift is an immersive online indoor cycling and running platform which used by pros and amateurs alike. It gamifies exercise to help take your triathlon training to the next level – click here to find out more in our dedicated Zwift section.

Raising awareness

Sir Chris was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer in 2023, announcing his terminal diagnosis in October last year.

His Tour de 4 initiative is a fundraising charity bike ride that aims to shine a spotlight on what a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis can look like and demonstrate that it is possible to live well and lead a happy life alongside this devastating diagnosis.

Sam Laidlow at the IRONMAN World Championships 2023 in Nice.
Sam Laidlow will also take part in the Zwift ride – [Photo Credit – Bartłomiej Zborowski, Activ Images for IRONMAN]

“I’m excited about the potential of this event and the work we can collectively do to help raise awareness of living with Stage 4 cancer and, crucially, the vital funds we will hopefully raise to help support the research and great work that is being done to tackle this global pandemic head on,” Sir Chris explains on the Tour de 4 website.

“I know there is not a cure for me but, with science moving so fast, I hope that we can protect our children and the next generation.”

Stuart Dick
Written by
Stuart Dick
Stuart is a graduate of the University of Sunderland with a masters' degree in Sports Journalism. He spends a lot of his time running and cycling around West Yorkshire, England.
Discover more
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
latest News
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
Kristian Hogenhaug interviewed after The Championship 2025
Danish triathlon star highlights blistering bike split as key to The Championship success.
Alistair Brownlee - T100 San Francisco 2024 bike
Olympic triathlon legend Alistair Brownlee completes iconic Gralloch race in latest gravel test
Jeanne Lehair Beth Potter WTCS Yokohama 2025
From Olympic heartbreak to joy of first WTCS win as emotions flow for Jeanne Lehair
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...