Button takes to pedal power for Goodwood hillclimb

Jenson Button will take up a new challenge at this month’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (22-24 June). As well as performing some dramatic demonstration runs in this year's Honda RA107 F1 car, Jenson will also be competing on two-wheels in a special bicycle Time Trial.

The latest brainchild of Festival organiser Lord March, this novel Time Trial will mix stars from the worlds of motor sport and cycling. The eight contestants will be split into four teams of two, with one person from each discipline on each team. Jenson will be paired with fellow Brit and Tour de France stage winner David Millar. The four teams will set off up the Goodwood hillclimb course at two-minute intervals, and the clock will stop only when the second rider from each team crosses the finish line.

"It's going to be hard-core," admits Button. "I'll be trying to keep up with one of the best pro cyclists in the world for just over a mile uphill. I'll have to give it large all the way!"

While there will be a competitive edge to the competition, the event's main aim is to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust and the Richard Burns Foundation.

"This is a great chance for fans to watch the drivers and riders doing something different," says Jenson. "Most drivers do a bit of cycling as part of their training programme, so it will be interesting to see how we stack up against the pro riders. I think it's a great addition to the Festival of Speed and, most importantly, it will hopefully raise lots of money for two great charities."

David Millar and Jenson met for the first time at this year's Spanish Grand Prix. They hit it off immediately and the cycling legend is looking forward to partnering the Honda Racing F1 Team star.

"It's great to be doing the Time Trial with Jenson," says David. "I've been to four F1 races over the last few years and all my friends are into it, so I'm a fan. As a spectacle, F1 has to be the greatest show on earth!

"The Goodwood hillclimb doesn't cover a long distance, so it's going to be as hard as we want to make it. The shorter rides are normally more physically demanding than the long rides, which are more psychologically tough. It'll be fun for both of us and my advice to Jenson is not to be scared of the hill!”

Cycling has been a major part of Jenson's training programme for several years. He was part of a team that cycled from John O’Groats to Land's End at the end of 2001, and he completes regular endurance rides to maintain his cardiovascular fitness. Never one to be unprepared for a task, Jenson has completed several uphill sprints ahead of the Goodwood Time Trial. It's been an exhilarating experience. "There's no lifting off or pacing yourself," he says. "You're flat-out all the way, and that really hurts. Your heart rate goes up, you sweat a lot and the moment you stop the lactic acid builds up in your legs, which really hurts. But the masochist in me actually quite enjoys it!"

Others expected to compete against the Jenson and David combo in this unique Time Trial at Goodwood on Saturday 23 June include Mark Webber, Troy Bayliss and either David Coulthard or Alex Wurz from the motor world and pro cyclists Chris Hoy, Jason Queally and Ron Hayles.