Hedkayse has combined two passions by sponsoring an epic 800km cycling challenge featuring 2018 Tour de France winner, Geraint Thomas, and former Welsh international rugby player Alix Popham.

Alongside 40 other players and supporters, Geraint and Alix yesterday set off from London Welsh Rugby Club to Lyon in time for the crucial Australia v Wales pool match at OL Stadium on 25th September.

The group is raising funds and awareness for Head for Change, a charity pioneering positive change for brain health in sport that supports ex-players affected by neurodegenerative disease as a result of their professional football or rugby career.

Asan added incentive Hedkayse has provided five of their premium Black Tornado leather cycle helmets, with one awarded to the rider who exhibits the most positive influence on the group on each day.

Alix Popham said: “We are really grateful that Hedkayse have provided these very stylish helmets. There will definitely be a bit of competition between the riders to try and make sure we get our hands on one!”

Our Black Tornado leather cycle helmet, a testament to the classic original leather cycle helmets, is the only helmet that is soft and moulds to your head with use and recovers fully after multiple impacts due to our revolutionary Enkayse foam.

Hedkayse have recently been able to successfully re-engineer Enkayse for use in rugby headguards and are currently in discussions with World Rugby.

Hedkayse co-founder Andy Creak said: “An opportunity involving cycling and rugby while also supporting a brain injury charity was clearly one we couldn’t resist. We are delighted to help out and hope to have some extremely exciting announcements about our rugby headguard over the next few months.”

The 40-strong cycling group also includes rugby stars Ian Gough, Tony Copsey, Craig Chalmers and Ollie Phillps and will see riders lunching at rugby clubs en route and dining with your hosts each evening at appointed hotels.

To donate: Head for Lyon - JustGiving