Next up, we are delighted to introduce VSN, who have provided our training and ‘off bike kit – all 31 lots of it! VSN is a leading, independent sportswear who specialise in designing, manufacturing, and selling bespoke teamwear for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities.

A speciality and focus of their design teams is the introduction of highly functional but design-led kit in recycled textiles, helping customers minimise their carbon-footprint – just like deciding to cycle to Rome rather than get on an aeroplane!!

“With a company purpose of ‘Together, we inspire the exceptional every day’, the ‘All Roads Lead to Rome’ bike ride challenge set by Rob Wainwright, and being undertaken by the ‘Dodd1e’5 Gr4nd S7am’ team led by Ian Barr & Rob Boyns, truly resonates with CEF. One of our company values is ‘We are a caring family’ so supporting the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation for a second year was an easy decision.

Now you have met all our team, it’s time to introduce our sponsors, starting with the brilliant team at Your Ford Centre, without whom we quite literally could not get to Rome! Ben Short and his team have provided us with 4 Ford Tourneo Vans, all decked out with our team logos, and adapted for this challenge to able to carry all our kit, bikes and the the riders who are on their off-bike stints.

Marcello heads up our Italian Division!! And, for those of you who don’t know Marcello, he won 54 caps for Italy between 1987 and 1999, since then he has coached, currently with Amatori Milan. He also created the beautiful artwork you can see behind his photo.

There are many brothers who have the privilege to play for their national team together. Marcello along with his twin brother Massimo did so for almost 10 years, Marcello out on the wing while Massimo played as a prop. They also have an older brother, Michele.

After retirement from playing rugby, Massimo also coached, moving to Edinburgh Rugby for two seasons, as well as working with Scottish Rugby as a scrumming coach. Sadly, Massimo died from Covid-19 on 11 April 2021, aged 54.

I lost my mother in 2005 from Motor Neuron Disease. At that time knowledge of the disease was very limited as was the support provided to the families of those who had the disease. I watched my father care for mum for two years and struggled to get support or assistance, although those who were involved were incredibly brave, resilient and tried really hard to support the family with the limited resources they had.

We did the Wales to Edinburgh ride last year, and Rob Wainwright threw out there that potentially the following year we'd go to Rome. Then Russ Kesley said they'd like to go around all the stadiums. Rob Boyns and I put our heads together and said, you know, let's do it. Let's do it in seven days.

MND has no barriers, it's an international disease. As Doddie said, some people say it's incurable, it's not incurable, it just needs funding. And I think raising money and asking people for sponsorship is one thing, but raising awareness leads to funding which becomes perpetual until we can crack it.

Meet Roger, our Team Ambassador - former Kelso, Scotland and British Lions player.

“I was a friend of Doddie’s, and have been fundraising on behalf of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation since he was diagnosed. It is massively important to keep Doddie’s memory alive, because if we do, we kick MND into touch and along the way we get better outcomes for those poor folk afflicted by this terrible disease. Ultimately, with this challenge, I want to raise a shed load of cash, raise a glass to Doddie and enjoy my time with this incredible group of people’

I was first invited two years ago and was excited to join the challenge supporting a small team attempting the 555. Over the years I have been working outdoors, MND has sadly touched the lives of both customers and friends alike. Witnessing the power of the families supporting those suffering and the difference surrounding people can make encouraged me that our efforts can truly make an impact. I think previous years have been a whirlwind of adrenaline and finished before anyone caught their breath. This year is a marathon and I believe the hardest bit will be maintaining motivations and moods.

I have been involved on two previous occasions with this challenge and I enjoyed the experience and meeting inspirational people. Also, I was asked to be a part of this challenge by my good friend Rob Boyns and I felt that I had something to give. Doddie was obviously a unique and influential character. Everyone knows about Doddie Weir, either as a rugby player or as part of his foundation. He has inspired a significant amount of people, both young and old. When I became part of the previous challenges, I was unaware that the funding for the research to tackle MND was such an issue. Once proper resources are applied, I have no doubt that there will be a cure and treatment which is much needed to those currently living with MND.

Doddie was such a big character and his name is associated with fundraising to find a cure for MND. Progress has been made but more money is needed, so his name, and cause has to be continually championed. As people will be aware the ride is in memory of Doddie as well as 3 other rugby players – Ed Slater, Rob Burrow and Paul Rendall. Paul, aka The Judge, passed away in June last year and had been a playing colleague and mate of mine for Wasps and England since 1983. He, like Doddie, was a much loved and entertaining man. We also shared the same birth date although the similarity ends there! Ultimately, we have to keep the memories alive of all those who have suffered from MND.

The biggest challenge will be looking after Wyn – my brother – and Rob, and making sure that they behave themselves and keep out of trouble!! On a serious note, my main challenge will be to keep up with everybody on the bike and not be left way behind! Hopefully Lorenzo and the support crew will keep an eye out for me! Being away from the family for such a long period will also be hard, and I will miss the laughter and hugs of my young children.

What better way to combine my passion for cycling, pushing my body to the limits of physical and mental endurance with the ability to raise crucial funds for the MND! The most challenging part will be the sustained physical endurance required over the 3000 km journey, together with layoff time between relay legs, coupled with unpredictable weather and climbs…. I hate climbing! But ultimately we are doing this to raise significant awareness and funds for MND research, leaving a lasting impact in Doddie's memory and contributing to the ongoing fight against this devastating illness - wish me luck!

Without the money, the research can’t be completed. It is vital that we push to raise the money needed to win the battle over MND. When this epic trip is concluded, the battle to beat MND will go-on. I hope that the contribution the team makes in this battle will elevate awareness and the profile of this condition so that the wider public fully get behind the cause.

I helped start this challenge 7 years ago when I rode up solo to meet Doddie in 2018 and was one of the founding 4 riders with Rob Wainwright, Tom Leefe and Mark Beaumont who rode down to Twickenham the following year. It's become an annual event for me, and going to Rome this year will make it that bit more of a challenge, especially for the solo riders. I've been cycling for 8 years ever since I discovered I had an endocrine tumour, a pheochromocytoma - to say I am lucky to be alive is an understatement, cycling saved my life and it helped me recover from the surgery to remove the tumour.

I can’t over emphasise how incredible it is to be part of something that not only gives me the opportunity to do what I love doing in riding my bike, but to meet the most dedicated and truly exceptional people along the way. There really is no better feeling than knowing you are making a difference by raising the profile and money towards helping others who are/will suffer from MND

Having completed self supported challenges in the past, I think sharing the adventure with other people will be the biggest challenge. Everyone will probably peak and trough at different times, and could make things quite interesting.

I was drawn to this challenge to raise awareness of MND and use my marketing and content creation expertise to reach a wider audience. The most challenging aspect of the event for me will likely be managing the Media RV, capturing and conveying the raw emotions of the exhausted cyclists in potentially harsh weather conditions. Ultimately, by doing this, I aim to significantly increase the awareness of MND among a broader segment of the population

It is beyond important, it is essential to keep Doddie’s memory alive!! His name and the fight for a cure for MND are symbiotic to me. On a personal note Doddie as a player and a figurehead later, epitomised everything that is great about our sport and we have to keep his memory alive to continue the fight for a cure for MND but also so that we keep hold of the values that bring us to this wonderful community that is rugby. Ultimately I want to raise awareness and profile of the My Name’5 Doddie foundation, while raising funds and ultimately being able to say I helped fund a cure.

I was involved in last year’s Doddie ride from Cardiff to Murrayfield and could not pass up the opportunity to get involved once again on this completely bonkers but very important awareness-raising charity event for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. This year, for my sins, I’m involved in trying to keep the whole trip on schedule. Knowing those involved, trying to get them to listen to “you must get cycling NOW” will definitely become a challenge by day 9!