My hometown reception was fantastic, says racing legend (From Worcester News)

My hometown reception was fantastic, says racing legend

6:20pm Sunday 25th July 2010 in News By Alicia Kelly, @aliciakellyWN #worcsnews

A surprise welcome awaited Formula One legend Nigel Mansell when he rode through his home town of Upton-upon-Severn for a charity cycle ride.

The former racing driver, who was cycling from Cardiff to Worcester on day three of a 1,200-mile challenge, did not realise his team had secretly organised the stop-off and thought they were lost.

So he was shocked to discover the streets were lined with fans and the mayor was waiting for him with tea and cakes at the town hall.

Mr Mansell said: “They surprised me with a town hall visit.

“The mayor of Upton put on a good show.

“I didn’t know I was going so it was a really big surprise and it was really rewarding.

“The amazing thing was as we rode into Upton there were lots of people either side.

“Lots of people remember me from 50 years ago there.

“It was really warm and sincere and a fantastic surprise.”

Mr Mansell, along with his sons Leo and Greg and former Tour de France racer Magnus Backstedt, hopes to raise £1 million and public awareness for UK Youth, the youth work charity of which he is president.

The group are riding 100 miles a day across the UK and are due to complete the challenge at Canary Wharf, London, on Tuesday, August 3.

Mr Mansell arrived at the University of Wor-cester’s St John’s campus at about 4.30pm on Saturday after stopping off in Upton, at the Welland Steam Rally and in Hereford.

Despite having spent 10 hours on the go, the ex-Formula One champion posed for photographs with queuing fans and signed autographs on books, T-shirts, model cars and even a tennis ball.

He also asked the university’s therapists for help with an injury he sustained to his thigh – while lying in bed.

He said: “At about 1am on the first night I had a vicious cramp.

“I was screaming in agony like someone had shot me and the muscle split.

“I’ve torn something inside through having a cramp.”

Of the challenge, he said: “I want people to realise that more than one million children are not in education and employment. We are doing this for every kid in the country.”

Among his fans was William Hardman, aged nine, who had also taken part in activities at the university’s motion and performance centre.

William, from Nor-ton, said: “I wanted to come to get his autograph. I like the crashes.”