Denis Betts getting back in the saddle for the Ride to Wembley

Former Great Britain star and Man of Steel winner Denis Betts is the latest high profile Rugby League legend to show his support for RL Cares by signing up for the charity’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the 2019 UK Red Ride to Wembley.

Denis, a six-time Wembley winner during a glittering playing career with Wigan, will join 22 other riders by cycling 340 miles on an incredibly challenging off-road route from the George Hotel, Huddersfield, to Wembley in August.

The Ride to Wembley departs the sport’s historic birthplace on Monday August 19 and arrives at the RL Legends statue on the stadium concourse on the afternoon of Friday August 23, the eve of the 2019 Coral Challenge Cup final.

In between, the riders will climb over 18,000ft – the equivalent of cycling from sea level to Everest basecamp – as they cross the Pennines, the Peak District, the Cotswolds and the Chiltern Hills.

The Ride to Wembley peloton includes ex-RL internationals Keith Senior, Robbie Hunter Paul, Nathan McAvoy and Andrea Dobson, Britain’s most-capped woman.

Denis, who is now Director of Rugby at Newcastle Thunder, said: “It’s been a while since I last rode a bike but I’m really looking forward to the challenge of completing the UK Red Ride to Wembley.

“I may not be cycle fit but I’ve got lots of resolve and determination, and I hope that’ll help see me through.

“Through my involvement in the game over the last few years I’ve seen at first hand what a great job RL Cares does and I’m delighted to have this opportunity to help the charity.”

Denis gained 32 Great Britain caps and made four appearances for England, who he captained in the 1995 World Cup.

He won seven Championship titles and six Challenge Cup finals with Wigan, including a Lance Todd Trophy-winning performance at Wembley in 1991. In 1995 he was named Man of Steel.

To sponsor Denis on his epic challenge, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/denis-betts2