22/01/2023
Project launches website and invites submissions for support for participants at 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships!
The Project was set up at the end of 2022 in memory of athlete, coach and all-round legend Rab Wardell.
Well known to riders and fans alike in his native Scotland and, via his YouTube adventures, across the world, Rab was an enthusiastic and talented rider, equally at home on mountainous trails, tight criterium circuits or Glasgow skate parks.
As well as racing, Rab was a successful coach with his own business, and was part of the MTB coaching staff at the UCI's World Cycling Centre in Switzerland, helping to find and nurture talent from less ‘traditional’ MTB nations.
Most of all, Rab was one of the good guys - whether he was encouraging
discussions about mental health, cheering on fellow riders or just joining you for a brew, he made everyone around him feel better.
Tragically, Rab passed away on 23rd August 2022 - he was just 37. Sadly, it seemed that his best was yet to come. Just a few days before he had won the Scottish Elite Men's XC Championship, a title that had eluded him for many years, and he was looking forward to competing at the MTB Marathon when the UCI Cycling World Championships will be hosted in his beloved Scotland in August 2023.
The Project came about by accident - UCI Commentator Dan Jarvis, who has covered Rab’s racing since he began, designed a t-shirt for a few friends to wear at the 2022 XCM World Championships in Denmark,
where Rab had been due to race. The design proved popular and, after talking to Rab’s family, more t-shirts were printed and the Project was created to use any profits to create a fund to support riders from developing MTB nations to participate in XC disciplines at the UCI Cycling World Championships.
The aim of the Project is to give at least 2 riders the opportunity to compete at 2023 UCI World Championships in XC discipline(s) through financial and physical support for the duration of the event.
As the fundraising process is ongoing, final details of the support package will be released on 01/03/2023.
Riders from nations listed in Groups 3 & 4 of the UCI Federation Classification, and from Group 1 & 2 Federations that have not had regular representation at UCI MTB World Championships are invited to register their interest via www.ridelikerab.com
You can support the project by buying one of our t-shirts via our shop, accessible via the website, or by supporting the ‘Raffle & Auction’ which will be launched at the end of this month.
Businesses wishing to support the project are invited to contact us directly via [email protected]
