Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody has announced a new charity cycling challenge to raise funds for motor neurone disease (MND) research, just months after his own diagnosis with the condition. The 71-cap international will cycle 500 miles from Newcastle to Twickenham over seven days in June, joined by his teenage sons and a host of rugby icons including Martin Johnson, Jonny Wilkinson, and Mike Tindall.
Moody, who was diagnosed with MND in September, recalled an emotional moment during a previous fundraising ride for former player Ed Slater, when Johnson told him to rest. 'Just him saying, 'don't worry, we've got it from here' – it was probably the only time he's ever told me to ease off,' Moody said. The challenge, dubbed the Race to the Slater Cup, aims to support the MND community.
The route will pass through clubs that shaped Moody's career, including Bracknell RFC, Oakham School, Leicester Tigers, and Bath. Moody emphasised the importance of acting quickly, given the unpredictable progression of the disease. 'I don't know how many challenges I have left to do, so I wanted to make sure I could physically contribute,' he said.
Moody's symptoms remain relatively stable, with noticeable weakness in his hand and shoulder. He acknowledged the difficulty of adjusting his mindset from his competitive playing days, but stressed the value of shared discomfort. 'There's nothing like getting together and feeling a bit of discomfort together,' he added.
