Bike to Care charity race in Bordeaux raises more than €400k

The 2nd edition of Bike to Care, a charitable bike race partnering big names in the international food and beverage world with wine producers in Burgundy and Bordeaux, was held in Bordeaux on 8 and 9 May, writes John Stimpfig.

The second Bike to Care event was held in Bordeaux earlier this week and has already raised more than €400,000 for a range of international charities – all in support of the Food and Beverage sector. Véronique Sanders, President of Château Haut-Bailly, announced the record amount on Tuesday evening at a celebratory dinner held at the Pessac-Léognan estate.

The three day event in Bordeaux was primarily hosted and organised by Haut-Bailly, Giscours Lynch-Bages in conjunction with Louis Jadot. In addition, numerous Bordeaux châteaux, including Lafite, Branaire-Ducru, Pichon Baron, Beychevelle, Lagrange, Doisy-Daëne and Yquem also participated and provided support with wine, food and accommodation.

The Bordeaux Editon followed on from last year’s inaugural Bike to Care in Burgundy. The debut event was conceived, created and organised by Louis Jadot’s Pierre-Henry Jadot and raised over €250,000 for a diverse range of charities in the restaurant and hospitality sector.

In total, around 100 cyclists from nine international teams participated in 2023, with three teams flying in from the United States. The USA Sommeliers were led by Daniel Johnnes; The USA Chefs were led by Marc Murphy and the Harlan Estate team was headed up by Amanda Harlan. This year also saw a group from China as well teams as from, Belgium and Holland. The UK was represented by Hatch Mansfield, led by Mark Calver.

The route for day one on (May 8^th) comprised a ride of just over 90km in the Médoc, passing through Margaux, St-Julien and Pauillac in good, dry conditions. The weather on day two in the Graves and Sauternes was less kind with wind and rain for much of the 90km course, making it considerably more challenging. However, none of this diminished the enthusiasm of the riders.

Some of the worthy charities in receipt of financial support this year are France’s Association Jean-Claude Vrinat, Hospitality Action, the US Sommelier Scholarship Fund and Voedselbank in the Netherlands.

Giuliana Vittiglio, Head of Fundraising and Marketing at the UK charity Hospitality Action said: ‘We are indebted to all the intrepid cyclists who took part in Bike To Care on our behalf. Just under £20,000 has been raised so far, which is a testament to all those involved and surely makes all the exhausting miles travelled worth it. The money raised will help put food on the table and keep rooves over the heads of countless UK hospitality households in crisis. Thank you on behalf of them all.’

It has already been confirmed that the event will return to Burgundy in the spring of 2024.

You can donate to the charity race here.