Waugh cry gets stars in saddle
OLYMPIC gold medallists, a Formula 1 ace, a Tour de France champion and a Brownlow medallist have all answered the call of former Australian Test captain Steve Waugh.
Waugh has assembled a pack of VIP riders to join a 70rider strong peloton to tackle Tasmanian roads in a six-day, 800km event starting tomorrow.
British Olympic gold medallist Daley Thompson, pictured with Waugh, is one of the sporting stars to saddle up for the Captain’s Ride.
OLYMPIC gold medallists, a Formula One ace, a Tour de France champion and a Brownlow medallist have answered the call of former Australian Test captain Steve Waugh.
Waugh has assembled a pack of VIP riders to join a 70rider strong peloton to tackle Tasmania’s roads in a six-day 800km event starting Sunday.
The “Captain’s Ride”, organised by the Steve Waugh Foundation, will raise funds for children with rare diseases.
Included in the trip will be Olympic gold medallists Daley Thompson, Drew Ginn, Michael Milton and Shane Gould, former F1 ace Mark Webber, Sydney star Adam Goodes, Australia’s first Tour de France winner Cadel Evans, and Tas- manian cyclist Richie Porte.
“It is a challenge for everyone because we are out of our comfort zone as sports people who play other sports,” Waugh, 52, said.
“When we get on the bike it is basically everyone is even and you start from scratch.
“Six days is a challenge for a lot of riders to make.
“[You have to] work as a team and we want to show the same character and courage our kids show each and every day.”
Thompson, 59, might be an Olympic legend as a dual decathlon champion, but he says his form on the bike is not quite as sharp.
“I’m old and heavy so I’ve got two strikes against me there,” the Englishman said.
“I always make it to the end and I’m quite happy because the real reason we are out there is trying to raise money for Steve’s foundation and trying to give everyone who is on the ride a good time and great experience.”
Waugh has first-hand experience of Tasmania’s rugged terrain.
He participated in the multi-sport Mark Webber Challenge in 2003.
“I did one day and that was enough,” he said.
“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
“That was dropped into the wilderness on the West Coast by helicopter and I did one day walking through swamps and marshes and I had to play cricket two days later so it wasn’t the best preparation but it was good fun.”