Tour de Cure team up with IRONMAN

By

November 28, 2012

MELBOURNE, Australia (November 28, 2012) – Tour de Cure, a foundation committed to finding a cure for cancer, will be the official charity of the IRONMAN® Asia Pacific Championship in Melbourne.

IRONMAN Asia Pacific (IMAP) said the charity shared many of the common values as IRONMAN and the event is committed to helping Tour de Cure and finding a cure for cancer.

Tour de Cure is a cycling foundation in Australia committed to finding a cure for cancer; their funds are directed toward cancer research projects focussed on finding a cure, cancer support projects for those suffering from cancer, cancer prevention projects that educate and raise cancer awareness.

The charity will stage a number of fundraising projects around the second annual IRONMAN Asia Pacific Championship Melbourne on Sunday 24 March next year.

“The synergies between our organizations are very apparent. It takes more than just an individual to train and prepare for an IRONMAN, it’s a team effort from family, friends and supporters to swim, ride and run the 226km to the finish line," said IRONMAN Asia Pacific CEO, Geoff Meyer.
“We are delighted to align with Tour de Cure who models their vision around many of the same values as the IRONMAN family.  We are committed to making a difference in the community, and IRONMAN is passionate about getting involved with a cause that touches the lives of so many Australians.”

Tour de Cure is excited and honoured to be the exclusive charity partner for IRONMAN Asia Pacific Championship Melbourne for the next three years. The partnership joins together two recognized brands and organisations with one focus, to find a cure for cancer.

“In any great relationship the most important ingredient is that each other share the same values and dreams. IRONMAN Asia Pacific and Tour de Cure do share the same values and now collaboratively we will work together to help find a cure for cancer,” said Bruno Maurel, Tour de Cure Chairman and a keen cyclist.

“We look forward to an exciting and successful relationship that will inspire great things.”

With one in three cancer cases being preventable, IRONMAN Asia Pacific Melbourne will provide Tour de Cure an opportunity to not only raise money to help find a cure, but increase awareness amongst a new community.

“Because of this partnership more men, women and children will know how they can help prevent cancer by making healthy lifestyle choices,” said Mr Maurel.

Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hugh Delahunty congratulated event organisers IRONMAN Asia Pacific and Tour de Cure on establishing a partnership that encourages active participation in a fun event as well as raise awareness and valuable funds towards a worthy cause.

“This is one of the many reasons why the Victorian Government is proud to support the IRONMAN Asia Pacific Championship,” Mr Delahunty said.

“It not only showcases the world’s best endurance athletes in our own backyard, but provides an opportunity for all Victorians to get on their bikes, take part in a celebration of endurance sport and help spread the cancer prevention message.”

“I encourage all Victorians to come along and support the event,” he said.

To celebrate the partnership IRONMAN has exclusively offered Tour de Cure slots into the sold out event in March to help raise money to cure cancer. This is your ticket to race in Melbourne and help raise money for a great cause. Details at www.tourdecure.com.au.

Tour de Cure has also announced their Tour de Cure | IMAP Dream Team to take on the IRONMAN challenge.

Australia’s top female marathon swimmer Chloe McCardel will swim 3.8km, Network Seven’s sports guru Mark Beretta will ride the 180km and Callum Eade, a cancer survivor and Tour de Cure Ambassador, will travel from Singapore to anchor the team to run 42.2km.

Beretta, Tour de Cure Board Member, avid Cyclist and Channel 7 Sports Presenter, has ridden on many 10-day Signature Tour's with Tour de Cure, assisted by the invaluable support crew that contribute to the great success of Tour de Cure.

“Competing against the calibre of athletes at IRONMAN Melbourne as I ride 180km is not going to be easy. I will be training hard over the next few months to ensure I do not let the DREAM TEAM down,” said Beretta.

“What better way though to get active and do more to help find a cure for cancer.”
IRONMAN has been inspiring people to achieve their dream since the first race in 1978 and Tour de Cure aim to be the most inspirational cycling community in the world.  Together they aim to achieve great things as a team.

IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship Melbourne will be held on Sunday, March 24, 2013. For event information - www.ironmanmelbourne.com.

Media may contact:
Tour de Cure                  Samantha Hollier-James     samantha@tourdecure.com.au | 0403 279 747
IRONMAN Asia Pacific    Lisa Pringle                        lisa.pringle@usmevents.com.au | 0417 005 743

About Ironman
The iconic Ironman® brand and event series is the largest participation sports platform in the world. Since its inception in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines at the world’s most challenging endurance races. Recognized for excellence through distinguished events, world-class athletes and quality products, World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), owner and operator of Ironman, has grown from a single race to a global sensation with more than 180 events across five unique brands: Ironman, Ironman 70.3®, 5150™ Triathlon Series, Iron Girl® and IronKids®.  With support from partners, including Timex, PowerBar, K-Swiss and TYR, more than 200,000 athletes compete each season in the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 Series. For more information, visit www.ironman.com

About Tour de Cure
Tour de Cure is a cycling foundation dedicated to raising funds for the fight against cancer.  Since 2007 the Tour de Cure has raised $8million and funded 89 vital Cancer research, support and prevention projects helping men, women and children.

Cancer does not discriminate, as we unfortunately know all too well. Our mission is simple – to cure cancer. 

With the statistic that “one in three cancer cases can be prevented”* Tour de Cure not only ride to raise money to help find a cure, but also to raise community awareness. More men, women and children need to know that they can help prevent cancer by making healthy lifestyle choices.

In 2013 Tour de Cure has set an ambitious target of raising $2.3million and sharing our “BE FIT; BE HEALTHY; BE HAPPY” cancer awareness message and education packs to over 20,000 men, women and children across Australian communities. With our inspirational team, corporate partners and community Australia’s support we hope to achieve this via our 10-Day Signature Tour, NSW, VIC and QLD 4-Day Country tours, our ‘Day of Inspiration’ Events and the recently announced charity partnership with Ironman Melbourne Asia Pacific Championships.

*Cancer Council Australia - http://www.cancer.org.au/aboutcancer/FAQ.htm#3008

Lisa Pringle
Media Manager
USM EVENTS | IRONMAN ASIA PACIFIC
PO Box 1550, Noosaville BC, QLD 4566
P: +61.7.5520.2106 | M: +61.0417.005.743 | F: +61.7.5520.2106
www.usmevents.com.au | www.ironman.com