It is estimated that 2.8 million people around the world have multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. It is a condition that cannot be cured; it can only be managed with treatment. To help raise awareness around the condition, raise money and support vital research, the MS International Federation (MSIF) – a global movement of MS organisations – runs one of Europe’s most unique and challenging cycling events, Cycle for MS: Conquer the Tour (formerly known as Cyklenerven International). The four-day event sees cyclists from across the world tackle the mountains that the WorldTour peloton will traverse just a few weeks later in the Tour de France. The 2025 event, taking place in June in the Pyrenees, will be a 400-kilometre-long route, including iconic mountain passes such as the Col du Tourmalet, Col du Soulor, Col d’Aspin and Superbagnères, totalling over 10,000 metres of elevation.
It’s a huge achievement to complete such a ride, but it is those in the yellow jerseys during the event who are more remarkable. Those are the riders not only coming face-to-face with double-digit gradients but are constantly faced with the challenge of living with MS. “It was such a humbling experience,” Chris Ramsey said to Rouleur about his experience in 2023. “It was such a positive event and so humbling that all those others riding are there for people like me.”
Ramsey was officially diagnosed with MS in 2011 at the age of 35, but his symptoms began three years prior in 2008 when he found a lesion (transverse myelitis) in his neck that was threatening to leave him quadriplegic for the rest of his life. However, diagnosing MS is not a simple process, and despite the use of his lower body being under threat, one lesion was not enough to diagnose Ramsey with MS – it was three years later, when he had an ‘attack’, that he was told he had MS. “As surprising as it may sound, it was almost a relief to finally be diagnosed,” Ramsey said. “I finally knew what I was really up against, rather than always thinking I might or I might not.”
When he had the attack in 2011, he was numb from the neck down and had extreme fatigue. Before this, Ramsey was an athlete. “I’ve been a runner my entire life. My dad entered me into the first mile race when I was two,” he added. It was in the triathlon, however, where Ramsey excelled, qualifying for the Ironman World Championships nine times throughout his career. The attack, which left him not even able to cycle for 30 minutes without having to sleep afterwards, lasted eight to 12 months and left him with limited function of his abs and his right quad. “From that attack, I learned that MS can literally put you in a wheelchair overnight. For life.”
Chris Ramsey in the yellow-sleeved jersey during the 2023 event
Cykelnerven, run by Scleroseforeningen, the Danish MS Society, approached Ramsey about riding the four-day event with them when they first began. However, training for another event followed by a cancer diagnosis kept him from doing the event until 2023, alongside 10 other MS “warriors”, Ramsey called those with MS. He recalled a very special moment after he gave a speech, when 250 people, from the Danish event, clapped almost in unison, for him and all those with MS on the ride.
He also noted the incredible views, adding that “pictures, let alone words, cannot convey how breathtaking they were”, the coaches and staff on hand to support the riders over the four days, and the conversations he had with those on the event from all over the world. Marc Bergeron, a cyclist who has participated in the last two years and will be taking on Cycle for MS: Conquer the Tour in 2025, echoed this.
Bergeron initially got involved with Cycle for MS: Conquer the Tour by chance when he and a few friends were seeking a challenging and unique experience in the Alps. However, his connection to the cause runs much deeper. “In my extended family, there are people with MS on my wife’s side,” he explained. “The other thing is, when you mention MS at work, people say that their mum, cousin, sister, or wife has MS, and you start discovering more connections to the organisation running the event.”
This connection has deepened during the past several years he has taken part in the ride as participants learned more about the condition. Bergeron recalled moments when leading MS researchers spoke about the latest advancements, and riders living with MS shared their personal stories, like Ramsey in 2023. “Those with MS on the ride also tell you their stories, and you get to know them,” he said. “That puts a face to the condition, as opposed to just a concept of raising money. Raising money for any disease or condition is good, but when you know more, you really connect with what you are doing.”
Beyond its purpose, the event offers both challenges and camaraderie. Bergeron reflected on the unique experience of riding with such a large and diverse group, which includes cyclists of all abilities. The Cykelnerven event typically sees 250 participants from the Danish event, but in 2025, Cycle for MS will be smaller – just 30 riders – their second year of running a solo international event. “When you see 250 bicycles, you realise how big the group is,” Bergeron said. “A few of my friends, who hadn’t ridden in such a large group before, found it stressful at first. But after a few kilometres, the nervousness disappeared, and they settled into the rhythm.”
The camaraderie among participants often sparks friendly rivalries, adding to the event's vibrant atmosphere. Bergeron shared a memorable story involving the son of one of his best friends. “Two years ago, this young guy – very fit but new to cycling – joined us. At the top of climbs, while waiting for him, I’d joke about how it must feel to be dropped by someone his dad’s age. He was fuming and promised he’d come back stronger. The next year, he took off like a rocket, but he started too early. Near the top, I overtook him again. We teased each other endlessly, but that’s the spirit of the event – fun, lighthearted competition, and camaraderie.”
Mark Bergeron by Alessandra Bucci
The unique experience of tackling iconic climbs left a lasting impression on Bergeron. “A really fun thing about the concept is that when you watch the Tour de France later in July, you’re like, ‘I was there,’ or, ‘I’ve done that,’” he shared. “I probably didn’t look nearly as good as the pros, but having completed the same routes they’re riding makes watching it so much more exciting.”
For Bergeron, the anticipation for the 2025 event is already building. “This summer’s trip will be great because we’re biking between Switzerland and Italy, and you even cross a customs border – nothing to declare,” he joked. “We’ve ridden in the Alps before, which are phenomenal, but I’m really looking forward to taking on the Pyrenees this time.”
The event is more than a cycling challenge; it’s a journey of resilience, community, and connection. Riders like Ramsey and Bergeron embody the spirit of Cycle for MS: Conquer the Tour, demonstrating that through shared effort and determination, the fight against MS can climb to even greater heights.
Cycle for MS: Conquer the Tour 2025 will take place from June 10 - 15 in the Pyrenees. Interested riders can register on the Cycle for MS website.
