FIFTEEN amateur cyclists will be giving their all for charity as they ride Stage One of the Tour just a few hours ahead of the professionals.

The Power peloton team are riding in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care, the official charity partner of the Tour de France Grand Départ.

They have both the challenge of keeping ahead of legends such as Mark Cavendish and Chris Froome for 190km and also of each raising £19,000, enough to fund a Marie Curie nurse for a year.

Among them is Harrogate businessman Will Roberts who said: “Knowing how much support there’ll be along the route is what will keep us all going. That, and knowing we’ve pedalled all those miles for a fantastic cause will see us all through.”

The amateur cyclists will need to keep pedalling at speeds of at least 18mph over around seven to eight hours to keep ahead of the Tour professionals.

Rider Mike Hughes, of York, said: “When we’re saddle-sore and tired, we need to keep our mind on the end goal – that the money each of us raise will be enough to fund a Marie Curie nurse for a year. That money will do so much good in caring for people who are terminally ill.”