Peter Kennaugh MBE, the fastest rider ever to lap the Mountain Course on a conventional cycle, topped the charts in the ’Not the TT 2020’ challenge recently.

He and Leanne Harper may not have proved the fastest duo on the day, but they succeeded in raising the biggest combined sum for the Manx Solidarity Fund.

The event took place on what should have been Senior race day, June 12, when conditions were far from ideal.

Indeed it is almost certain that racing for real would not have taken place.

But the spells of drizzle and low cloud failed to dampen the spirits of the nine pairs that took part in the fundraiser.

Leading local cyclists teamed up with TT riders or other personalities involved with motorcycling to tackle the course together and raise money for the fund, established in early March to support locals negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sponsored by Peregrine Corporate Services, Olympic gold medallist Peter and new-to-cycling Leanne clinched the title as winners of the inaugural event by mustering a whopping £3,535 in donations.

The lap itself was not allowed to be called a race due to road racing legislation, although there was predictably plenty of competitive spirit on show on the day.

In total, the Challenge raised the notable sum of £21,556 for the Manx Solidarity Fund.

Melanie Kermeen, who heads up the fund’s marketing team that organised the event, said: ’We are delighted with the success of our Not the TT lap. This has been our second largest event, hot on the heels of Christian Varley’s 19-marathon challenge.

’The event was pulled together in less than three weeks. It was an amazing challenge to be a part of, seeing the two sporting communities joining forces to generate funds, raise awareness of the Manx Solidarity Fund and promote cycling road safety.

’Team spirit was amazing and it was a joy to see the number of spectators out lining the course, waving Manx flags. Some TT marshals were out at their usual stations.

’There was a real Manx spirit about the challenge and I’d like to thank the many individuals and sponsors who helped us bring this event together in such a short time scale.’

The fund’s trustees and administrators invite anyone in need of help, financial or otherwise, to get in touch via the website.

Leanne Harper, partner of former leading TT rider Dan Kneen who died in an accident on the Mountain Course a little over two years ago, commented: ’I didn’t expect for us to win. Thanks to Richard Kneen for putting Dan’s pit board out for us.

’I’m sure Dan would have loved to be part of the event.

’And thanks to Pete for getting me round.’

The final breakdown of amounts raised is: Leanne Harper and Peter Kennaugh £3,535.73; Dave Molyneux and Max Walker £3,102.75; Conor Cummins and Jessie Carridge £2,956.93; Paul Phillips and Tara Ferguson £2,890.00; Nigel Beattie and Mark Christian £2,069.43; Mikey Evans and Sam Brand £1,880.46; Nathan Harrison and Andrew Roche £1,835.65; Dan Sayle and Emily Looker £1,280.00; Jamie Cringle and Anna Christian £1,110.00.

ZWIFT EDITION

In addition to the 18 riders battling the weather out on the course, several other TT stars joined the campaign by completing their own 37.73 mile challenge.

Davey Todd organised a Zwift ride the same day with the general public joining in to ride alongside him virtually.

Others added their support by recording their own lap on Strava wherever they were in the world and posting this on social media. These included outright lap record holder Peter Hickman, Maria Costello and James Hillier.

The event was a great success and plans are already in place for next year, with almost all riders from this year signed up to ride again.

Watch out for Not the TT 2021.