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Miracle cyclist to attempt world’s toughest solo fundraising ride

96 hours is all miracle cyclist, Grant Lottering, has to conquer one of Europe’s toughest amateur cycling races 10 times!

On 2 July 2017, Grant Lottering will attempt his 4th Im’possible Tour – a solo fundraising ride in the French Alps. Lottering, Laureus Sport for Good Ambassador and international speaker, also known as the ‘miracle cyclist’, will attempt to cycle over 40 mountains, climbing a staggering 44 700m, over a distance of 1800km, in under 96 hours, non-stop.

For his Im’possible Tour IV, Lottering will return to the La Marmotte Granfondo, the same race where he completed his first Im’possible Tour in 2014, and try to complete the demanding route not once, not twice, but 10 times non-stop.

At 174km and 5 000m of climbing, the La Marmotte is considered one of the toughest amateur events in the world and comparable to the most challenging high mountain stages of the Tour de France. The route includes the Col du Glandon (22km), Col du Telegraphe (13km), Col du Galibier (17km), and finishes on the summit of the famous Alpe d’Huez climb (13km). Lottering will have to ride over each of these mountains 10 times within four days.

Lottering takes on these annual solo ultra-endurance rides with the purpose of raising funds for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. Laureus financially supports over 20 registered community projects country-wide which use sport to help young people carve out a safe and successful path in societies burdened by the impact of HIV/AIDS, unemployment, crime, and strong cultural divides. His 2016 Im’possible Tour raised R1.1 million for Laureus, thanks to corporate sponsors who ‘bought’ each and every mountain along the route.

As a highly regarded public speaker, Lottering inspires audiences to recognise that their potential is unlimited and that we are all able to accomplish what others consider impossible so long as we truly believe and live our lives with purpose, commitment, focus and determination. Lottering’s own story is living proof that when life takes a turn for the worse, you have a decision to make – do something with it or it will do something with you!

In 2013, Grant Lottering survived a near-fatal cycling accident during a world championship preparation race in Trento, Italy, when he crashed into a rock embankment and suffered severe internal and external injuries. Doctors told him he would never cycle again, but Lottering refused to accept this prognosis, and decided he would return to the Alps in one year to finish the race that almost claimed his life. Thus, the Im’Possible tour series was born, with Lottering’s fourth solo attempt taking place on 2 July 2017.

In 2016, Lottering successfully completed his third Im’possible Tour, cycling 962km non-stop from Cannes to Les Saisies Ski Resort in the French Alps. He cycled over 20 alpine mountains, climbing 19 840m during the monster ride, completing the challenge in the unbelievable time of 46 hours 38 minutes. Public support was massive, with over 7 000 followers on social media tracking Lottering’s progress through the remarkable (and sleep-less) 48-hour challenge.

In 2017, Lottering hopes to double the funds raised for Laureus, with the help of a number of generous corporate partners. Im’possible Tour IV – The World’s Toughest Solo Fundraising Ride – is proudly supported by headline sponsors, Mercedes-Benz South Africa, VO Connect and IWC Schaffhausen.

To find out more about this extraordinary challenge and help Grant reach his R2 million target, please visit www.grantlottering.com.

Click https://youtu.be/dbexQGFF9xs to watch Lottering’s 2017 Im’Possible Tour trailer.

To book Grant Lottering at your next conference or management/staff workshop, visit www.grantlottering.com or follow Grant Lottering on Facebook: www.facebook.com/grant.lottering21713  or Twitter: www.twitter.com/@MGLottering .

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