Thursday, 07 May 2009 COCKERMOUTH international rally driver Matthew Wilson will get on his bike this Sunday to tackle a tough 114-mile Lakeland charity
cycle challenge. The 22-year-old, who as a boy occasionally pedalled a mile from his home to Eaglesfield Paddle School, will be joined by his rally co-driver Scott Martin from Carlisle, Barry Johnson from Eaglesfield, fitness trainer for M-Sport, and Ian Hughes from Newcastle. Matthew looks on it as part of training for the next World Rally Championship event at the end of May, the Rally Italia in Sardinia. He will join riders from all over Britain to tackle the Fred Whitton Challenge event that will include Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter and Hardknott passes. Matthew said: “I have not ridden in the Fred Whitton Challenge before, but I know its fearsome reputation. “There is nothing as steep as Hardknott in car rallying, either here or abroad.â€
Last year he completed a 960-mile Lands End to John O’ Groats cycling challenge on a charity ride.