ADELAIDE, Australia – Cycling stars at the Tour Down Under have joined a number of top athletes in agreeing to donate their prize
money to victims of the devastating floods in northeast Australia.

Queensland natives Robbie McEwen and Allan Davis are among 133 riders, including seven-times Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, taking part in the January 16-23 race.

And they have agreed to donate the 16,000 Australian dollars (12,000 euros) prize money from Sunday’s race-opening criterium to the relief fund.

Bundaberg native Davis was also quick to announce that signed jerseys — one has been donated by each of the 19 teams and signed by all of that team’s seven riders — will be auctioned on ebay as of Sunday evening.

McEwen said it was only “normal” that the peloton had decided to donate Sunday’s prize money to the appeal.

“Our thoughts obviously go out to our fellow Queenslanders who have been affected by the floods,” said McEwen, a 12-time stage winner on the Tour de France who is originally from Brisbane.

“It’s a very nice but normal gesture for us to make, donating the proceeds of tonight’s race to the flood appeal.”

More than 80 towns in Queensland, including the state’s capital of Brisbane, have been hit by once-in-a-century floods in recent weeks that have killed at least 16 people and covered an area larger than France and Germany combined.

Organizers urged fans to bid for a signed team jersey by visiting www.ebay.com.au or to donate direct to the Flood Relief Appeal at

http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html.

The Tour Down Under opens Sunday with an inner city criterium, the Cancer Council Classic, over 51 kilometer although it has no bearing on the actual race which begins Tuesday.

Article: AFP