Triumphant charity riders pedal against mouth cancer

The fourth Straumann Charity Bike Ride proved a resounding triumph, with over 50 riders completing the gruelling 500-miles-in-five-day challenge in Italy to achieve the incredible fundraising total. A cheque for £72,290.81 was presented to the Mouth Cancer Foundation by Straumann managing director Steve Booth at Straumann’s UK headquarters in Crawley.

The 80-mile first stage of the ride from Riva del Garda to Mantova challenged the riders with a 7,600ft climb, then from Mantova to Bologna was another 80-mile struggle. Undeterred by soaring heat, the riders overcame more punishing hills on the third stage, travelling 98 miles from Bologna to Radda in Chianti and climbing a remarkable 8,635ft. Passing through some breath-taking scenery, stage four took the group from Radda to Magliano. The final stage of the epic journey saw the exhausted riders face more demanding climbs across 103 miles to the finish line in the ancient Italian capital city of Rome.

During the celebration event in Rome on the final day of the ride, Vinod Joshi thanked the riders – made up of dentists, technicians and Straumann employees – for their incredible efforts. He explained that he had set up the charity to increase awareness of mouth cancer not only to save lives, but also to improve lives by supporting the carers of the patients suffering from the disease.