A GYM boss is preparing to cycle the gruelling first stage of the 2018 Tour de France to raise vital funds for research into one of the biggest killers of men in the UK.

Personal trainer James Brereton, manager at Pure Gym at Stretford Mall, will tackle the 195km route in the Vendée region of western France just two weeks before the pros.

The 29-year-old from Atherton now faces a demanding fitness regime in the lead up to the challenge, which will include bike rides of up to seven hours, and having to take on double the number of recommended daily calories.

This is the second time James will have tackled the Grand Depart Classic in aid of Prostate Cancer UK and this year he is aiming for a top 20 finish and to hit a £1,000 fundraising target.

Prostate cancer is the third-biggest killer of men in the UK, with more than 11,000 lives lost every year.

James has just started training for the ride on June 23.

As part of his fitness regime, the former student of Wellacre High School in Urmston has also signed up to run the Manchester Marathon on April 8 to raise money for charity Cash for Kids.

He said: said: “To say I’ve been able to do a stage of the Tour de France is mega. When this challenge started there were 50 to 60 people taking part.

“When I did it last year, there were 80 riders and this year there are 200 signed up. My aim this time is to finish in the top 20.

“Last year I was 40th or 50th. I was just cruising and wouldn’t say I went all out. This time I want to really push myself and to do that it will be all about the training.

“I need to put in more seat time. That was what I struggled with last year. It was about seven hours on the seat in total and I wasn’t fully prepared for that.

“I know I could get on the bike and I’m fit enough to do the distance but if I want top 20 I need to put the work in.

“I’ll also need to fuel my body. On training days I’ll need to eat up to 5,000 calories, depending on the time of the sessions, as I will also be teaching my classes at Pure Gym.

“You could say last year was about the experience and fun whereas it’s more serious for me this time.”

Stretford Mall centre manager Gareth Wilkins said staff at the shopping centre are backing James’s efforts.

He said: “Prostate cancer is a huge and growing problem and James is doing something fantastic to try and help — we’ll be following his progress every stage of the journey.”

To make a donation to James’ charity challenge visit his fundraising page at justgiving.com/TheGymDoctorUK

For more information about prostate cancer and this year’s Grand Depart Classic visit prostatecanceruk.org

For more information about Stretford Mall visit stretfordmall.co.uk or find the centre on Facebook or Twitter: @stretfordmall

For information and updates on PureGym Stretford please find them on Twitter @Puregym_Stret