Tour de OROC is set to be a world record holder again after successfully securing more than 110 sponsors to adorn its jersey for the 2017 ride.
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The bi-annual ride, which raises money for the Macquarie Home Stay project, set an initial record in 2013 with 89 sponsors’ logos on the jersey only for a charity rider in the United Kingdom to break it in 2014.
Tour de OROC committee chairman Mathew Dickerson said they had passed the required number and were now just finalising the count. The jersey is also in the process of being designed.
We cracked the 110 sponsor mark and we are just getting the final jersey done now. The sponsors rolled in, which was fantastic and means we can get the record back.
- Mathew Dickerson
“We cracked the 110 sponsor mark and we are just getting the final jersey done now. The sponsors rolled in, which was fantastic and means we can get the record back,”he said.
“It’s great for sponsors to be able to say they played a part in securing a world record and it also helps with fundraising for Macquarie Home Stay.”
A total of 17 riders will take part in the full 1000-kilometre journey from Mudgee to Dubbo, via a number of western NSW towns. It starts on October 2.
They will be joined by a number of day riders and special guests throughout the six-day trial.
Dubbo’s dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist Megan Dunn will ride in the opening day and international cycling commentator Matt Keenan will participate on the final day.
Mr Dickerson said he had been hoping for a few more riders to take part in the whole event but understood it was a big commitment.
“We had 16 last time, and we were aiming for over 20 but we got 17 and there will be more than that on most days, especially when we have our guest riders,” he said.
“There were probably some people who thought they couldn’t ride 1000 kilometres over six days or who couldn’t get that long off work but one day of riding is more suitable.”
Organisers have set a goal of $100,000 for this year’s tour, which would take the total raised in three rides to more than $400,000.
Mr Dickerson said riders and sponsors played an important role in the fundraising, with sponsors paying between $250 and $7000 for a place on the jersey.
However towns involved in the ride, including Dunedoo, Gilgandra, Coonamble, Walgett, Brewarrina, Bourke, Nyngan and Narromine, also do fundraising to contribute, and play a valuable role, Mr Dickerson said.
