Pictured:
1. Peter Montgomerie-: Cycling for Simone is an initiative of Peter, Simone's father. Former top horse trainer who prepared On a Jeune to 2nd in Melbourne Cup. Peter played many years for Rovers FC
2. Brooke Cupples-: Simone's sister Brooke is a fitness guru who is sure to have the whip cracking on the ride. Brooke is the Team Leader on the ride
3. Greg Irvine - Event Organiser. Greg is a long time friend of the Montgomerie family and is helping organising the ride with Brooke and Peter. He will be riding and taking photos
4. Map of the planned route for the ride
The family and friends of former record breaking jockey Simone Montgomerie are pleased to announce they will be “Cycling for Simone” in the lead up to the 2016 Darwin Cup.
A group of cyclists including family members and close friends will ride from Simone’s home town of Streaky Bay to Darwin – rounding out a 3010km journey by crossing the finishing line at the Fannie Bay Racecourse.
The ride will take 26 days starting on July 4 and conclude the Friday before the 2016 Darwin Cup. The 26 day journey represents the years of Simone’s life and will include 24 days in the saddle with two rest days along the way.
The brainchild of Simone’s father Peter – a former top horse trainer who prepared On a Jeune to a second placing to Makybe Diva in a Melbourne Cup – the ride is supporting the National Jockeys Trust.
All funds raised from the marathon ride will go to the Trust, which supports the families of the fallen and seriously injured riders around Australia.
“The National Jockeys Trust and the industry as a whole came together to provide Kodah and our family with amazing support following Simone’s death,” Peter Montgomerie said.
“We wanted to be able to give something back to the Trust and for the families and loved ones of other riders who are seriously injured or killed.”
“A bike ride from Simone’s home town of Streaky Bay to Darwin seems a fitting way we can do this – a big job – but something we can do to help, celebrate Simone’s life and make a difference at the same time!”
One rider in serious training for the ride is Simone’s sister Brooke Cupples of Streaky Bay.
“It is going to be a heck of a ride,” Cupples noted. “Dad thought of riding from Streaky Bay to Darwin and as a family we decided it was a great way to support the National Jockeys Trust.”
“Since we lost Simone the industry has tragically lost more jockeys and a number of others have been seriously injured. We can relate to what the families are going through and want to be able to give them support in what they are going through.”
“The ride is over 3000kms and will test all of us. But it is sure to be an incredible experience – celebrating Simone’s life and knowing we can help others and to thank the National Jockeys Trust for their support,” Cupples added.
Already some of those close to Simone and the industry have shown their support with former jockey Scott Westover, the partner of the late Caitlin Forrest, saying he will participate in the Alice Springs to Darwin legs of the ride. Westover will also represent Whitney Berry, wife of Magic Millions Classic winning jockey Nathan who tragically passed away last year.
For information, progress and updates on the event, and to be a sponsor, please follow this website link-:
http://www.cyclingforsimone.com/
or Simone's Legacy on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/simoneslegacy
Last Modified on 01/07/2016 10:54