Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling’s Managing Director Rochelle Gilmore will be lining up at the Amy Gillett Foundation’s Share the Road Tour in Brisbane, Queensland, on Sunday, the 9th of November. The 2014 edition of the seven-day ride is being held in Queensland in order to capitalise on the recent introduction of the two year legislative trial relating to minimum passing distances for motorists over cyclists, thanks to the Foundation’s “a metre matters” campaign.
“Amy was a good friend,” Gilmore said. “I often shared a room with Amy on tour in Europe and I was in Germany when she tragically lost her life – when a motorist drove into her whilst she was cycling. It still brings a tear to my eye and a sick, devastating feeling. However, we will all be focussed on our ambitions next week when we ride 1100km from Brisbane to Airlie Beach in order to promote the metre matters campaign, and make motorists more aware of cyclists. We hope to save lives through active education and awareness.
“The event will be a highlight of my year. It’s an extremely relaxed, professional and fun tour with wonderful and interesting people to share the week with.”
Although she hasn’t raced competitively since the Tour of Chongming Island in May, Gilmore will be aiming to complete the full “rouleurs” distance, which averages more than 150km per day, including one stage of 200km, between Rockhampton and Mackay on the penultimate day.
“My goal will be to pedal every stroke of the distance,” she confirmed. “I’ve never been so unfit however I’m thriving on the challenge of finishing rather than winning, it’s a new game…. One I’m going to enjoy!”
The aim of this “Share the Road Tour” is to raise money for the Amy Gillett Foundation so Gilmore herself will be donating a limited edition Colnago bike (as ridden to victory by Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling’s Giorgia Bronzini this season) for auction.
“I will be donating my Ferrari V1-R after the Tour,” Gilmore announced.
“I can’t wait to be back on the road with the AGF family….I’m going to love this challenge. So Excited!”
The Tour will cover a total of 1100km in its journey north to Airlie Beach, arriving in the Whitsunday beach resort on Saturday, the 15th of November. In its five editions to date Amy’s Share the Road Tour has raised more than a million dollars, as well as providing an opportunity for the Foundation to communicate its key cycling safety messages.
Amy Gillett represented Australia in both rowing and cycling, but was tragically killed when a teenage driver lost control of her car and crashed into the Australian team when it was training on the eve of the Thüringen Rundfahrt race, in Germany, in July 2005. The Amy Gillett Foundation was set up in her memory to campaign for and promote cycling safety in Australia.
Through its work, the Amy Gillett Foundation also supports young Australian women through its Cycling Scholarship, whose recipients include Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling’s Jess Mundy who was awarded the scholarship in 2013.
More information on the Amy Gillett Foundation can be found on its website www.amygillett.org.au, while details of the Share the Road Tour – and how to sponsor the riders – can be found on www.sharetheroadtour.org.au.
