Fundraiser urging Townsville to honour world’s toughest cycling team
Allan Jefferson and his team travelled to the United States to compete in the world’s toughest cycling race and won. Now a fundraiser wants to reward them.
Townsville
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WHILE his cross-country riding achievements will be forever etched into the sporting history of North Queensland, Townsville cyclist Allan Jefferson didn’t see a cent in his recent Race across America win.
That’s a situation at least one good Samaritan wants to change. While the humble, dogged competitor was happy just to finish the event, let alone win it, after injury forced him out of a previous attempt, local cyclist Richard Scholl wants to see the city properly pay Jefferson back for putting Townsville on the map.
“I’ve been involved with the Townsville cycling community for a long, long time, so I was watching the race fairly closely,” Scholl said.
“Allan and his crew have obviously gone to a fair bit of expense to get over there, so I just thought if people could get a couple of bucks for hitting a little, white ball into a hole, then surely ten torturous days across America deserve it.”
To that end, Scholl has set up a fundraiser on GoFundMe, where people can donate to an unofficial prize pool for Jefferson and his efforts.
“He’s a bloke who really deserves it. He’ll do anything for anyone and he’s spent his entire life serving the community. Not to mention he’s a hell of a nice guy,” Scholl said.
“We just wanted to throw something out there to see if we can get some support from local people and businesses.
“It’s the most gruelling cycling race on the planet. I was really surprised to find out there was no prize money involved.”
While ‘times are tough’ and Scholl isn’t making any demands, he said it would be good for the city to rally around someone who’s achieved big things on the international stage.
“For an individual, to ride 22 hours a day and be in the saddle for 10 days, I can’t even contemplate it. I can’t even think of doing that for one day,” Scholl said.
“The mental toughness and stability it would involve, that really talks to the quality of the man.”
Those who want to donate to the effort can do so here.
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Originally published as Fundraiser urging Townsville to honour world’s toughest cycling team
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