The 2010 event is over. In excess of 60 riders participated in this years Hunter Valley ride and from all reports, it was our best tour ever. The event was supported by the Day of Difference Foundation, with Ron, Carolyn and Sophie Delezio all playing key roles on tour. Tony Abbott participated on Day Two of the event and in true Abbott fashion connected well with the people, the cause and the bike.

I would like to thank our fabulous sponsors and supporters.

• Jersey Sponsors: Bike Bug, Lend Lease, Astrontech and HP,
• Team Sponsors: Propel Investments, Primatec, Lend Lease, McGrath, Macmil and Rode Duivels,
• Supporters: Bike Bug, Cannibal, Budget, Wedsalad and Fitness First

Check Out Team McGrath

Funds are still rolling in but my projection is that we will raise around $200,000 from the event; of which around $125,000 will be donations paid to the Day of Difference Foundation. A truly fantastic result in what has clearly been a difficult market and taking total funds raised since we commenced in March 2008 to over $1.2 Million.

The winners of our much coveted HP fundraising jerseys went to long time entoure rider Mark Worrall (first place) who raised in excess of $11,000; with runner up jerseys being awarded to Stephen King (second place) and Trevor Armstrong (third place). This year also saw an increased team focus with many of the teams exceeding 100% of team target. Congratulatons to Team Propel who finished in first place at a staggering 182 % of team target.

In addition to our riders raising funds, they sacrifice their time to get fit for the event. In light of the event being a fully supported tour, it is imperative riders are skilled enough to ride in a peloton and to stay together. For some, this hurdle was greater than others and the ride became a massive achievement and one that will stay with them forever. For others, it was a great opportunity to ride with like minded people, to help those less experienced and to race for the Bike Bug Yellow Leaders Jersey, the Lend Lease Green Sprinters Jersey and the Polka Dot Cannibal Climbers Jersey. Congratulations to all the winners of this tours competition jerseys with a special congratulations to Geoff Troup … the strong man of the tour who lead Peloton 1 for the entire 3 days and took home the very much coveted Bike Bug Yellow Leaders Jersey.

This tour over 70% of our riders were new to entoure … which allowed for good existing entoure people to bring more good people. The Astrontech White Best New Riders Jersey was in hot competition and whilst the jersey could have been awarded to any number of the new recruits, 2 standouts from opposite ends of the earth were identified. Peter Richards (left of photo) and Joshua Williams (right of photo). Peter was team captain for Team McGrath … a new team with high hopes. Peter’s leadership was outstanding and as good or better than any that have gone before him. He was the key driver across all aspects of his team … from initial engagement and sign up, to fundraising, to training rides, to hospital visits to winner of competition jerseys. If it was on offer, Peter was all over it … and put his team in a position of real pride and prominence. Joshua (my nephew) on the other hand is 15 years old and his achievements were far more personal. Two months ago Joshua told his dad (a previous tour rider and winner of entoures inaugural Yellow Leaders Jersey in March 2008) that he would like to ride in the tour. The only issue was he hadn’t been on a bike, didn’t know the road rules, and had no network to raise funds. But, with a strong desire to achieve Joshua raised in excess of $1,500 and cycled 110 k on Day 2 of the tour and received strong praise from Ron Delezio and all who witnessed him conquer what for some would simply have been the unachievable. Congratulations to the other white jersey winners but a special congratulations to Peter and Joshua … all hail your achievements.

The tradition of dressing a rider as a clown continued however, this year it had a twist … with Sophie Delezio face painting a very deserved winner in Robert Montgomery. The purpose behind the clown award is to identify someone the riders believes makes them smile, brings joy to a struggling peloton and happiness to the tour. The award is selected by the riders and is a symbol of the great work performed in hospitals by clowns and the joy clowns bring to sick and injured kids right throughout the country. Michael Foster and Robert Montgomery were the winners of this tours clown award but a special thanks must go to Sophie Delezio who beautifully painted Roberts face and who in many respects changed the entire feel of this years tour.

Finally, I would like to thank the support team … lead by David Sharpe; but included:

• Ron Delezio
• Cam Wood
• Veronika Vosynkova
• Mark Williams
• Joshua Williams
• Ollie Martin
• Kylie Bernoth
• Stephen Trethowen
• Alfie Brown
• Paul Russell
• Jimmy Howard and
• Andrew Bennett

This year the support team included Lead and Rear Vehicle Drivers, Motor Bike Traffic Support Riders, Massage Therapists, Doctors, Luggage Transfer Drivers and on road Bike Mechanics. Thanks again to all who rode, supported and donated to the cause and I look forward to bigger and better things next tour.

Kent Williams
Director
Entoure