MaltaMedia.com

The cyclists taking part in the Betfair LifeCycle Challenge are back in Malta after they arrived on a direct flight from Manchester on Sunday afternoon. Many relatives and friends welcomed the cyclists at the airport.

The cyclists cycled over 2,100 km in 12 days through 7 countries. They began in Venice in Italy and passed through Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, France before ending their challenge at Old Trafford in Manchester in the UK on Friday, where they were welcomed by Manchester United chairman Sir Alex Ferguson.

Several family members of the Maltese cyclists were also there to give a huge Maltese welcome, making it a noisy and emotional scene. Sir Alex spent 15 to 20 minutes signing shirts and autographs and expressed amazement that the cyclists covered such a great distance over such a short time.

LifeCycle chairman Alan Curry said it was one of the most glamorous finishes possible, and with many football fans in the team it gave added inspiration to the cyclists to finish. He also stated that the group as a whole were a credit to Malta for what they had done for persons less fortunate than themselves.

The aim of this challenge was to raise enough funds to purchase equipment for the Renal Unit, a car to provide permanent transport to and from hospital and improve the level of psychological support offered to renal patients.

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