LifeCycle ventures into Africa

The HSBC LifeCycle Challenge ventured into Africa for the first time in its 10 year history today.

This year’s challenge - Strait to Africa, started in Lourdes, France on August 16 and will come to an end in Casablanca, Morocco, on Monday.

Spokesman Fr Pierre Grech Marguerat told timesofmalta.com that three members of the back-up team left the Spanish port city of Algeciras on the ferry for Tangiers in northern Morocco just after midnight with the truck in which the bikes were packed and other vehicles.

The rest of the team, including three cyclists from HSBC who have joined the challenge in its last three days, boarded the 9 a.m. ferry arriving in Tangiers at 10.30 a.m.

With 12 dropouts, the number of challengers is now down to 23 but five of the dropouts are still cycling although they are not in the challenge.

After sorting everything out in Tangiers, the cyclists embarked on their 106 kilometre route for the day which will see them spending tonight at the mountain town of Chefcouen.

Fr Grech Marguerat said the team are hoping for a good night’s sleep in preparation for tomorrow’s tough 231 kilometre trail - the hardest day in Morocco, which will take them to the capital Rabat.

The challenge comes to an end on Monday with a route of just 96 kilometres from Rabat to Casablanca. The team will be back in Malta on Friday morning.

The challenge is raising funds for the Renal Unit of Mater Dei Hospital. SMS donations can be made on: 5061 7378 for €2.33 (Lm1), 5061 8927 for €6.99 (Lm3), 5061 9219 for €11.65 (Lm5).