TWO sporting legends are preparing for a gruelling cycle challenge to raise funds for a charity set up by former rugby star Doddie Weir.

Former Newcastle Falcons lock Weir established the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation in 2017, after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

Now former Scotland rugby captain Rob Wainwright has teamed up with record breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont, for the #Doddie500 bike ride, to raise money for the charity, which supports research into the debilitating condition.

Setting off on Thursday morning, they will cycle 500-miles from Scotland’s national rugby stadium Murrayfield, in Edinburgh, to the English equivalent Twickenham, in London.

The pair will aim to complete the challenge in just 48 hours, arriving at Twickenham ahead of the Six Nations clash between England and Scotland, which kicks off at 5pm on Saturday.

Weir, who is a director of Wark-based Hutchinson Environmental Solutions, is well respected in rugby circles, and made almost 100 appearances for Newcastle Falcons between 1995 and 2002.  

Members of the public are set to join Wainwright and Beaumont on sections of their route, and will donate a pound for each mile they cover.

Rob Wainwright said: “Mark and I wanted to support Doddie’s charitable efforts and we realised there was a great opportunity to bring our two sports together in this epic challenge.

“I am inspired by the spirit of Doddie, an old friend for whom such challenges may now be in the past, but who fights MND with a fortitude I can only aspire to.

“We are hopeful the public’s imagination will be captured by this endeavour and we will be joined by cyclists of all ages and abilities along the way - whether that be for one or 100 miles.”

Beaumont said: “The #Doddie500 has the makings of a seriously punishing wintery epic. I’m looking forward to the camaraderie, the support from rugby and cycling fans along the route, and most of all raising as much as we can for research into Motor Nuerone Disease.” 

For more information and to get involved visit www.doddie500.com. The route and progress can be followed www.twitter.com/MrMarkBeaumont.