Sir Chris Hoy says he feels ‘very proud’ when he hears of people with stage 4 cancer taking part in Tour de 4 to support national cancer charity Maggie’s.
When the Olympian established Tour de 4 last year after openly discussing his own diagnosis, it was with a clear purpose to “demonstrate that a stage 4 diagnosis, while devastating, doesn’t define the limits of what’s possible.”
His words and example have inspired people with stage 4 cancer like Dr Roger Cliffe, 78, from Worcestershire, Stuart Petty, 57, from Cumbernauld, near Glasgow and James Doherty, 43, from London to all take part in this year’s Tour de 4 in support of Maggie’s as it marks 30 years of transformative cancer care.
Sir Chris Hoy said: “To hear the stories of those living with stage 4 cancer who have signed up to take part in Tour de 4 to raise funds for Maggie’s makes me feel very proud.
“The expert support Maggie’s provide at their 27 centres across the UK is transformative.
“In the last 30 years they have supported more than 4 million people facing cancer and I know their ambition is to grow to 60 centres across the UK and care for many, many more people at possibly the hardest time of their lives. Maggie’s focus on empowering people to live well with cancer and ‘not to lose the joy of living in the fear of dying’ completely aligns with Tour de 4’s vision to demonstrate that a stage 4 diagnosis, while devastating, doesn’t have to define the limits of what’s possible.”
Watch Sir Chris Hoy send a message of support to everyone taking part in Tour de 4 for Maggie’s, here.
Dr Roger Cliffe, from Worcestershire and who cycled briefly alongside Sir Chris Hoy in the ‘Etape’ stage of the Tour de France in 2006, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in late 2024.
Despite not having cycled for a year, Roger decided to sign up for Tour de 4 to support Maggie’s and Sir Chris Hoy’s efforts to provide hope for others living with stage 4.
Roger said: “I absolutely agree with Sir Chris’ ethos of showing that people can continue to live a life with stage 4 cancer. Before Sir Chris, anyone with stage 4 thought all they could do was sit back and wait to die when actually there’s no reason why you can’t still keep on living a very full life.
“Initially, I was diagnosed with kidney cancer. They took out the affected kidney, but we received the news no family ever wishes to hear. It had already spread.”
“Nodules were found on my lungs and adrenal gland and I was diagnosed as having stage 4 cancer. To say it has turned our lives upside down is an understatement. It has taken me some time to adjust to it all, and my wife and children have been a great source of support. As have Maggie’s.”
James Doherty was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer in October 2024, just days after Sir Chris Hoy went public with his own diagnosis. James will take on Tour de 4’s 56 mile red route.
Actor James experienced very few symptoms so was shocked to find out he had cancer and that it had already spread to his lungs and brain.
He said: “I’m taking on the challenge of the red route – the toughest route in the Tour de 4, the cycling event launched by Sir Chris Hoy following his Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. The event gives people living with Stage 4 cancer the opportunity to ride together and raise vital funds.
“The Tour de 4 is about showing that this type of cancer diagnosis does not define a person, and highlighting what life with Stage 4 cancer can look like. Strength, resilience and determination are the words the Tour de 4 uses to describe this. I would add another word: normality. It’s wonderful that, thanks to modern medicine, some of us can continue to live normal lives.
“All funds raised will go to charities supporting people affected by Stage 4 cancer.
“Not content with riding alongside one cycling legend, I am also taking part in the World Champion, Tadej Pogačar’s ‘Pogi Challenge’ for Maggie’s this summer. I’m doing all of this as naturally, I want to give something back so that Maggie’s can continue helping people like me and their families.
“I am thoroughly looking forward to both events. Training for them has been extremely beneficial, both physically and mentally.
“I’m training hard, and my medical team has told me to keep doing what I’m doing – as has Tadej Pogačar, no less – so I have to! And I have no intention of stopping when these events are over.”
Stuart Petty, from Cumbernauld near Glasgow, was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer in early 2025. He has signed up to do the blue route of the Tour de 4.
He said: “I’m doing this for Maggie’s because they do so much work for people living with cancer in the community.
“Being able to come into Maggie’s beautiful building and just relax is perfect for someone with a cancer diagnosis like me. Everything is very low key.
“If I didn’t feel like chatting I knew I didn’t have to, but I also knew there was always a Maggie’s expert on hand to lend an ear.”
Maggie’s has been supporting people with cancer, and their family and friends, for 30 years.
Maggie’s Chief Executive Dame Laura Lee DBE said: “We are so grateful to Sir Chris Hoy for choosing Maggie’s as one of the main charities for Tour de 4 again this year, and also incredibly grateful to everyone taking part to raise funds for Maggie’s.
“It is so important to highlight that it is possible to live well with stage 4 cancer. Having been at last year’s event I know just how inspiring it is.”
The charity has 27 centres around the UK, all based on the grounds of NHS hospitals, and offers a range of free emotional, practical and psychological support delivered by expert staff, with no appointment or referral needed.
There are still two routes available at this year’s Tour de 4:
Yellow Ride – £30.00 per person – £100 fundraising target.
Static ride which aims to give those who have been affected by cancer, particularly stage 4, the opportunity to participate with 1-30 minutes on a static bike. Taking place in the middle of the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome.
Green Ride – £15.00 per person – £100 fundraising target.
Can be booked individually or in a group of up to 6. The family ride, an opportunity to enjoy a 1km loop around the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome as many times as desired in the 1hr slot.
To sign up to take part in support of Maggie’s please visit https://www.maggies.org/get-involved/events/tour-de-4/