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Billy Monger completes 'epic' Comic Relief challenge

Comic Relief Monger at Brands HatchComic Relief
Monger said it was "hard to explain what it means to have been able to ride again"

Racing driver Billy Monger has completed the final stage of a Comic Relief challenge by walking and cycling laps of his "home track" in Kent.

The 21-year-old, who had both legs amputated after a crash in 2017, covered 140 miles over four days by walking, cycling and kayaking.

He completed 18 laps of Brands Hatch on a bike and three on foot, crossing the finish line at about 20:00 GMT.

He said it was "hard to explain what it means to have been able to ride again".

Monger said he rode a bike for the first time since the crash about a month ago.

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Before starting his circuits of Brands Hatch, he said the "epic" challenge, which began with an 18-mile walk in the North East of England on Monday, had left him feeling "battered and bruised and sore".

On Thursday, Monger completed a 65-mile bike ride from Birmingham to Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.

Television presenter Zoe Ball, who cycled 355 miles for Sport Relief in 2018, joined him at Brands Hatch before he finished with several laps on foot.

Comic Relief Billy Monger walkingComic Relief
Billy Monger walked 18 miles on Monday, passing the Angel of the North in Gateshead

Bad weather had forced Monger to delay plans to kayak in the Lake District on Tuesday. He took to the water on Wednesday and covered 6.5 miles across Ullswater, joined by BBC Breakfast's Dan Walker for the closing stages.

Cycling up steep hills on Thursday had forced him to "to dig the deepest that I think I've ever had to," he said.

Thinking about the people who benefit from Comic Relief helped motivate him through the difficult moments, he added.

Comic Relief Monger trains in a kayakComic Relief
Monger had never used a kayak before training began for the Comic Relief challenge

Before setting off on Friday, Monger, from Charlwood, in Surrey, said his experience at his "home track" Brands Hatch meant he knew just how hard the final stage would be.

"I know every inch of this place, so I know exactly how far I am going to have to go every single lap.

"I do know the racing line, so hopefully that might help me out," he told BBC Breakfast.

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