KEEN cyclists are being given a chance to ride with a top-tier amateur road racing team, and raise money for charity at the same time.

Thanks to the generosity of two local businessmen, the rare chance of going on a training ride with members of the Morvelo Basso cycling team, which has developed riders to move into the professional ranks, is on offer to 40 cyclists on Ark Day.

On June 21, there will be two group rides of 25 miles, with limited spaces of 20 per group.

Group one will be for experienced cyclists going at an average of 16mph, while group two is for those less experienced with a slower average pace of 13mph.

This special opportunity to ride with the Morvelo Basso riders has been donated by Ark Cancer Centre Charity supporters Adam Chandler and Rob Leggett, who put in a winning bid at the Arkriders Une Grande Nuit charity gala dinner last September and have recycled the prize to generate more money for the charity.

Riders will need sign up for the limited number of places online with a donation price of £20.95.

Mr Chandler, from building firm Chandler HP, and Mr Leggett, owner of Cyber Distribution, said: “We’re both very proud to be members of the Arkrider group, and are delighted to offer this opportunity for local cyclists to join us on the Morvelo Basso training rides on Ark Day.

“It’ll be a great experience and we hope that the riders will be generous with their donations to the Ark Day fundraising effort.”

The rides will set off from Basingstoke Rugby Club at 2pm with registration opening from 1pm.