Long rider: Paul Beretta prepares for Tour de Cure.
By John Van Klaveren
GEELONG cycling enthusiast Paul Beretta hopes for good weather when he embarks on a 1600km charity ride this week.
Mr Beretta will act as chief mechanic for Tour de Cure’s 90 cyclists, including his television presenter brother Mark.
The event, in south-east Queensland, aims to raise $2 million for cancer research.
Mr Beretta survived “atrocious” weather in a recent inaugural Country Kids Tour from Geelong to Warrnambool as a training ride for the main fundraiser.
“The Country Kid’s Tour was set up to bring the cancer awareness and prevention message to country kids,” Mr Beretta said.
“We visited primary schools and did presentations about being fit, healthy and happy, dispelling childhood myths about cancer, like being able to catch it.”
Mr Beretta said all Tour de Cure participants, including bike mechanics and support staff, had fundraising targets.
A Tour de Cure website accepted donations for individual team members, he said.
“Whenever someone donates we get a text message and it really pumps up your tyres when you’re slogging it out uphill to realise you’re getting support.”
