TRIPLE winner of the Tour de France green sprinter's jersey and 12-race veteran, Australian cyclist Robbie McEwen, added an "Aussie Tour" to his resume when he rode the Wellington to Warren first day leg of the Toyota Tour de OROC (Orana Regional Organisation of Councils).
The international star joined 40 riders in Wellington's picturesque Cameron Park for a barbecue breakfast last week before riding through Warren, Geurie, Dubbo and Narromine.
Riders will cover 1200 kilometres through the Orana region's 12 Local Government Areas of Wellington, Dubbo, Narromine, Warren, Bogan (Nyngan), Cobar, Bourke, Brewarrina, Walgett, Coonamble and Gilgandra.
They'll finish in Dubbo on Saturday.
Funds raised during the ride will be donated to the Macquarie Homestay project to build patient accommodation near Dubbo Hospital.
Tour de OROC committee president David Hayes said the homestay project was a much needed facility in Dubbo for use by patients from anywhere within the region who needed to attend Dubbo Hospital.
"It is very close to being built," he said.
"They should be turning soil on the site early next year."
McEwen was looking forward to the ride.
"It's not a race but a ride to raise money for this important project.
"Dubbo mayor Matthew Dickerson invited me to join when we met at a conference in Brisbane last week, so I jumped at the opportunity help a good cause."
- MARK GRIGGS
Mark Griggs
Journalist for The Land at Dubbo.
Journalist for The Land at Dubbo.
