A team of more than 20 riders this morning set off on a nine-day, 1,223km cycle ride from London to Monte Carlo to raise money for children’s charity Wooden Spoon.

The ultimate cycling challenge will take the team, which includes Financial News' editor Ben Wright, publisher Jonathan Wright and mergers and acquisitions reporter Matt Turner, through the cobbled, smoggy streets of old London town, along the stunning Loire Valley and then over the majestic French Alps - with gruelling climbs stretching more than 30 miles promising stunning vistas.