Dan Kneen Charitable Fund calls off popular 24hr cycling event

The Dan Kneen Charitable Fund has called off one of its popular cycling events this year citing rising costs and limited time.

The Le Dans 24 was due to be held on the first weekend of August on the Jurby Circuit, but the charity says those reasons, plus personal commitments, means delivering an event of its scale wouldn't be possible.

The 24 hour cycling event has been going for five years raising more than £23,000 in its time.

But the charity says it's only taking a break and the Dan Kneen Charitable Fund remains fully active.

It says its focus this year will be on delivering TORQ, the Fund’s welfare support service, at the TT, Manx Grand Prix and Southern 100.

Anyone already entered into Le Dans will be offered a refund.

The charity is named after 30-year-old TT rider Dan Kneen who died during a qualifying session for the 2018 races.

It says its TORQ service has become an important part of how Dan’s name continues within the sport, describing it as 'a practical, year-round way of supporting people in the moments that matter most'.

In a statement, the charity says it will continue to review what’s possible for future fundraising activity.

For now, however, it's acknowledging the 'huge effort' that goes into Le Dans and thanking everyone who has helped make it 'a positive part of the Fund’s story'.