NeilPryde announce the sponsorship of Laurent Depus at the "Paris to London Bike Ride" charity event, which is a sporting and charity challenge organized by Société Générale, Laurent will be sponsored with an Alize frameset.
The event will take place from 16 June to 18 June in 3 stages:
16 June: La Défense - Beauvais (88km / 55 miles)
17 June: Beauvais - Dieppe (108km / 68 miles), Dieppe - Newhaven in ferry - Night in Newhaven
18 June: Newhaven - London (109km / 68 miles)
With 305 km to ride, the Paris to London is a sporting challenge, but also a solidarity event: each participant agrees to raise at least 750 € of online donations to help fund the CARE programs for access to education in Bangladesh and, in Laurent's case, for the victims of the terrible earthquake in Japan.
Please read Michael Pryde's (NeilPryde Bikes Division Manager) motivation for sponsoring Laurent below.
The tragic events of the Japanese Earthquake and resulting Tsunami that has left many lives in ruin and affects everybody emotionally.
This is especially apparent in Asia where people travel far and wide for work and leisure.
As a passionate cyclist living and racing in Asia, I have many cycling friends who live in Japan and whilst I am very happy to hear that none of them have been affected directly, I am sure that the shadow of the horrific events on 11 March 2011 will last a generation or more.
When I learnt that Laurent was using cycling as a catalyst for charity to support the relief efforts, I saw it as a great opportunity to give something back to the community during these difficult times and we are very pleased to be involved in this worthwhile charity.
Please join us by donating and look out for the auction of Laurent's NeilPryde Alize bike, with all proceeds going directly to CARE International.
NeilPryde will run a daily blog with the latest updates, stories and great pictures from this great event, stay tuned.
Check out the official race website: http://2011.paristolondonbikeride.com/laurentdepus2011