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.

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.

“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.”