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Cannondale, EF Education-NIPPO, and Rapha are offering a member of the public the chance to win prizes including Lachlan Morton’s team-issue SuperSix EVO bike – with all money raised from the prize draw going towards mobilising children and communities in need across the world via World Bicycle Relief.
In July 2021, Morton captured the imaginations of cyclists and non-cyclists alike from around the world as he set out to complete the ‘Alt Tour’ – a 5,500-kilometre solo race around the route of the Tour de France. He eventually beat the professional peloton to Paris with five days to spare, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for World Bicycle Relief in the process.
To date, more than £521,000 has been raised for World Bicycle Relief thanks to donations from Alt Tour supporters, with significant donations also made by Rapha and EF Education-NIPPO Pro Cycling. The first round of bicycles provided from the proceeds of the Alt Tour will support children’s access to education across communities in Colombia. These specially-designed ‘Buffalo Bicycles’ are scheduled for delivery in early 2022 and will be accompanied by community-supported programming, training for field mechanics, and a supply of spare parts to keep the bikes running for years to come.
World Bicycle Relief’s mission is to provide bicycles to help students in isolated places get to school safer and faster, allow health care workers to reach patients in more remote locations, and support farmers and other entrepreneurs in getting their produce and products to markets faster and more frequently. This investment in both personal independence and community mobility will secure a sustainable, long-term transformation for rural communities across developing regions.
Morton’s SuperSix EVO features a Shimano Dura Ace Di2 drivetrain, team Vision wheels and Cannondale Hollogram crankset. The winner of this prize will also receive an EF Education-NIPPO Pro Cycling 2021 jersey signed by Morton, for display. There are four further prizes of display edition EF Education-NIPPO Pro Cycling 2021 jerseys, signed by Morton.
All entry routes and terms and conditions are outlined on the World Bicycle Relief website, with the prize draw running for three weeks from today, 11th October, to 1st November.
“Unsupported endurance riding is historically a solitary experience,” said Morton. “A test of your own personal limits that strips you back to your most basic self. I’ve had a privileged upbringing and more opportunities than anyone could hope for. I still choose the bike. The bike brings me freedoms and joy that I’ve yet to find anywhere else in my life.
“During The Alt Tour, in my deepest holes, I wasn’t alone. I could draw on the idea that with each pedal stroke I was sharing that freedom and joy with someone who hadn’t yet had the opportunity to experience riding. I could smile at the endless possibilities that a bike could bring them. In many ways World Bicycle Relief helped me achieve my goals as much as they helped bring the beauty of the bicycle to so many. And for both those reasons I’m forever grateful.”
Allison Dufosee, CEO, World Bicycle Relief UK, said: “It is difficult to verbalise the effect of Lachlan’s Alt Tour for World Bicycle Relief – it seems as though we are seeing the effects of his incredible efforts build on a weekly basis, which has a significant impact upon the work that we can do to bring bicycles to people who need them throughout the world. To date, the Alt Tour has raised some £521,000, with donations coming in from more than sixty countries it has been a truly global effort. We have also been delighted to see so many people engage with Lachlan’s message and create their own ‘Alt Tour’ – it is a joy to see so many people who believe in the power of bicycles!”
Jonathan Geran, director of global sports marketing, Cannondale, said: “The Alt Tour started out as a personal adventure for Lachlan that Cannondale was excited to follow and share with him on, along with the EF team and our partners.
“While the stories from his personal journey remain, the broader connection Lachlan made through the power of a bicycle has had a profound and lasting impact on the entire cycling community. Through the initiative with Lachlan and World Bicycle Relief, so many more people will experience the joy of a bicycle and a world of new possibilities.”
Tom McMullen, Rapha global marketing director, said: “The Alt Tour inspired the masses to fall in love with cycling in a whole new way, and most importantly, will help provide even more young people who are challenged by the barrier of distance with the means to access an education.
“We’re blown away by the generosity shown by supporters all around the world, and are delighted the prize draw will provide another opportunity to raise more valuable funds and help mobilise even more communities through all of World Bicycle Relief’s great work.”
Maria Norrman, global chief of staff EF Education First, and president, EF Pro Cycling, said: “Watching Lachlan’s ride unfold during the Tour was an inspiration to the entire team and to those at EF every day. He reminded us there’s more than one way to tour France in July, and I hope more people explore their worlds by bike no matter where they find themselves. Beyond Lachlan’s adventure, his effort raised half a million pounds — enough to donate 4,245 bicycles to those who need them to gain better access to education.
“At EF, we believe that education and understanding can help solve many of the world’s problems, and we’re so proud of Lachlan and honoured to help empower people with access to education. Thanks to Lachy for reminding us that the bike isn’t only a tool to explore, but also one to better humanity.”
Terms and conditions are available here.
