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Sporting Stars line
up to support Amy Gillett Foundation Charity Ride
Almost
1000km in 10 days for sports stars
Cyclists who will
ride include
Robbie McEwen & Henk Vogels
Cycling
Australia's Amy Gillett Foundation section
A
host of Australian cycling and sporting stars will turn out for a charity ride
to support the Amy Gillett Foundation. The ride begins on Saturday December 3rd
from Maitland and arrives ten days and almost 1000 kilometres later in Brisbane
on Monday December 12th.
The ride is being organised by 2005 Australian Road Champion, Lorian Graham, who
was injured in the tragic accident that claimed the life of her team-mate, Amy
Gillett in Germany in July this year. She is still undergoing intensive
physiotherapy to recover from a serious injury to her right knee in her bid to
return to competitive cycling.
Sporting heroes who have committed to support the ride at stages along the route
include two time Tour de France green jersey champion, Robbie McEwen and team
mate Henk Vogels, who returned to the European professional circuit this year in
the wake of a near fatal crash in June 2003. Also lending support are Olympic
swimming gold medallist Duncan Armstrong and triathlete Loretta Harrop.
 "The
ride aims to raise awareness among motorists and cyclists to promote road
safety," said Graham. "We want to represent cyclists of all abilities
whether they race, ride for fitness, ride for fun or commute to work on a bike.
"If you are behind the wheel of a vehicle and you see a cyclist imagine
they are a member of your family and take the same care you would of your loved
ones," said Graham. "If you are opening your car door after you park
spare a second to look in case a cyclist is coming."
Graham says patience and respect are the keys to preventing needless injuries
and deaths on our roads.
Lorian
Graham - in race "It's
not such a big ask for everyone to be more considerate," she said.
"Cyclists
action
earlier this year in
should obey the rules and drivers should be aware of cyclists and exercise
caution.
Italy
What's more important - a couple minutes
of your time or someone's life?"
Graham's partner Pete Forbes and his colleague Nick Gallo, both w ith
mining company Runge Limited, are the driving force for the ride and are
covering all costs associated with the ride to ensure the maximum amount
possible goes to the Foundation.
Lions and Rotary Clubs along the route have also come on board to assist with
organisation and fundraising in the local communities. A pool of prizes has been
donated for daily raffles and everyone who buys a ticket goes into the draw for
a Cannondale Six13 bike, and for some signed sporting memorabilia.
To
avoid traffic disruption only a limited number of cyclists will participate
at any one time. There are two
community rides
Pete Forbes cheers on Lorian
Graham - in the TT
on offer for others to participate in
raising awareness for the
stage of the Giro
Donne, earlier this year in
Italy
Foundation.
Amy Gillett Foundation Charity Ride
Route details including departure times and expected arrival times. Distance
in brackets.
· Sat Dec 3 Singleton 10.30am to Wyndham Estate Winery 11.50am (40km)
· Sun Dec 4 Maitland 6.30am to Forster 11.50am (160km)
· Mon Dec 5 Forster 7.30am to Port Macquarie 11.45am (123km)
· Tue Dec 6 Port Macquarie Community Ride 6.00am to 7.30am (40km)
· Wed Dec 7 Port Macquarie 7.30am to Nambucca Heads 11.20am (114km)
· Thu Dec 8 Nambucca Heads 6.30am to Grafton 11.00am (134km)
· Fri Dec 9 Grafton 6.30am to Ballina 12noon (137km)
· Sat Dec 10 Ballina 7.30am to Surfers Paradise 10.45am (126km)
· Sun Dec 11 Surfers Paradise Criterium
· Mon Dec 12 Surfers Paradise 8.00am to Brisbane 10.35am (80km)
Lions/Rotary Club Functions to Support the Ride
· Sun Dec 4 - Forster/Tuncurry Lions Club - John Wright Park Tuncurry
2.00pm
· Tue Dec 5 - Port Macquarie Rotary Clubs - TBA 7.00am
· Wed Dec 7 - Lions Club of Nambucca - Nambucca Heads RSL 1.30pm
· Thu Dec 8 - Lions Club of Grafton - Market Square 5.30pm
· Fri Dec 9 - Ballina Lions Club - Reserve South of Missingham Bridge
5.30pm
Amy Gillett Foundation
The Amy Gillett Foundation was established in July 2005 as a legacy to the
memory of Australian cycling champion and Olympic rower, Amy Gillett.
Gillett died when an out of control car ploughed into the six member
Australian women's team who were on a training ride the day before they were
due to start in the Thuringen-Rundfahrt event in Germany.
The Foundation's mission is to:
· Promote road safety awareness amongst cyclists and motorists
· Fund and administer a scholarship program for young women cyclists to
support their sporting and academic endeavours
· Provide support for the rehabilitation of Amy's five injured team mates
For information and details of how to donate to the Amy Gillett Foundation
please visit the Cycling Australia website (see link above)
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