05 August, 2009

Cracknell and Romero Forced to Abandon Land’s End to John O’Groats Challenge.

James Cracknell and Rebecca Romero have had to abandon their non-stop mixed tandem bicycle record attempt from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

The duo were advised to abandon the record attempt that they started on Monday 3rd August after doctors advised Rebecca that continuing could jeopardise her career including her inclusion in the London 2012 Olympics because her knees could suffer long term damage.

The decision to abort the record attempt in the 874 mile race was a difficult one, they pair had been cycling for almost 30 hours and covered nearly 500 miles, they had reached Johnstonebridge in Scotland.

Olympic silver medallist and World Champion in rowing and then World and Olympic Champion in Cycling, Rebecca Romero, is reported to have said, “I’m gutted. James and I were nearly up to 30 hours and 500 miles [into the attempt]. I’d been doing some preventive physio work because of some tightness and discomfort in my knees, but it was decided the volume of work was too much, and there was no time to recover and my knees are part of my day job. Before today I didn’t have any pain, and I really wanted to succeed. ”

British rowing champion and double Olympic gold medalist, adventurer and Inspirational Speaker James Cracknell is reported to have sad that he would like to attempt the ride that he has referred to as, ‘The Special Route’ again one day.

To read more about the aborted record attempt read the Telegraph.co.uk piece here.

To read more about James Cracknell and about various challenges he has done read his Inspirational Speakers profile.