Media Release

Rex, Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Dubbo City Toyota continue their support

SBS Cycling commentator Mike Tomalaris has arrived in Dubbo for a thankyou weekend the month after the completion of the Toyota Tour de OROC.

In October the Rotary Club of Dubbo South staged the latest version of the biennial Toyota Tour de OROC. Despite very tough economic conditions, the event was again a huge success with the final fundraising amount set to be announced shortly.

A huge part of that success was the support shown by more than one hundred sponsors but there is no doubt that another major contributing factor was the support of well-known SBS cycling commentator Mike Tomalaris who rode with the peloton from Nyngan back to Dubbo.

To thank Mike for donating his time, three major sponsors have made a further contribution to the event. Rex supplied plane tickets for Mike and his family to fly to Dubbo this weekend; Taronga Western Plains Zoo provided accommodation at the Zoo for his family and Dubbo City Toyota provided a vehicle for Mike and his family to use over the weekend. 

“Mike Tomalaris was very generous in lending his name to the promotion of the Toyota Tour de OROC and donating his time to ride in the peloton as part of the 2019 event,” said committee Chairman, Mathew Dickerson. 

With commentating commitments in Australia and across the world, securing the time of Mr Tomalaris to travel to Nyngan and spend two days riding with the group of riders was an incredible boost for the event. Mr Tomalaris also spoke to the assembled group at a function in Warren that will be remembered for years to come.

“We appreciate the further support of Rex; Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Dubbo City Toyota in helping thank Mike for donating his time and name to the event. All three organisations were sponsors of the event this year and were happy to help thank Mr Tomalaris for making the event such a success,” finished Mr Dickerson.

“Toyota has been very happy to be the naming rights sponsor since the inception of the Toyota Tour de OROC in 2013 and we have been fortunate to have the support along the way of celebrity riders of the calibre of Megan Dunn; Robbie McEwen; Matt Keenan and, this year, Mike Tomalaris. We are very happy to help thank Mike for his support of the ride as are the other sponsors,” said David Hayes from Dubbo City Toyota.

Darrell Wheeler Cycles in conjunction with Trek kindly arranged the bicycle that Mr Tomalaris rode while participating in the Toyota Tour de OROC but, despite the offer of another loan bicycle to ride the streets of Dubbo, the packed schedule won’t allow Mr Tomalaris time to participate in an early morning ride.

“I have the opportunity to ride in several charity rides each year but the Toyota Tour de OROC had a special feel with a very committed group of individuals. When we rode into Macquarie Home Stay I was amazed at the facility and what the ride has helped achieve. With the generosity of the sponsors we are excited to land in Dubbo again and experience the unique accommodation on offer at the Zoo,” said Mr Tomalaris.

Contact: Mathew Dickerson 0418 628 439 info@tourdeoroc.bike

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