Docklands suits Cadel just fine

Tour de France cycling hero Cadel Evans spent the day in Docklands on Friday, November 25 helping raise funds for youth mental health.

By the end of the day, nearly $200,000 had been raised for Orygen Youth Health – nearly four times the amount raised at last year’s inaugural Suit Up and Ride event along NewQuay Promenade.

Cadel’s extra profile since winning the Tour de France in July helped sell out the event to some 56 corporate teams entering riders in the quirky event.

Docklands-based Bike Force won the event, and then promptly donated back the first prize which it had itself donated.  Bike Force was assisted in the final by former cycling world champion Matt Goss (above), while Cadel assisted runner-up team Grocon (left).

It was the second loss of the day for Cadel.  Earlier he had been beaten in a 2km handicap event by Fox FM presenter Matt Tilley (above right), in what had been dubbed the “Champ versus Chump” race.

Cadel gave Matt a 300 metre head start but failed to catch him on the potentially-dangerous course.  “Does that make me the Chump?” he asked after the ride.

Fox listeners donated nearly $120,000 to the event and, according to organiser Lisa Bird, Suit Up and Ride itself raised $70,000.

“It was an amazing day with a carnival atmosphere in such a picturesque location here at Docklands,” Ms Bird said.

She thanked the Docklands community for embracing the event this year and said she hoped that even more local corporations would enter teams next year.

Former Australian of the Year and Orygen director Professor Pat McGorry said the day produced a wonderful outcome and had been fantastic for the organisation’s coffers.

About 500 people came down to Docklands to witness the “Champ versus Chump” race just after 8am as part of Fox FM’s live broadcast from the Waterfront City Piazza.

Cadel was mobbed by excited cycling fans after the race.  Later in the afternoon he signed autographed copies of his book for a long line of loyal fans (above far right).

A crowd of about 5000 witnessed Suit Up and Ride, with local traders experiencing a welcomed increase in trade.