While 120 of the best professional cyclists in the world dazzled thousands at the finish line in Alpharetta at the conclusion of the six-day Ford Tour de Georgia on April 23, 164 amateur cyclists received special attention at the same finish line for their mission to beat the race against cancer. These amateurs completed the Inaugural BriarRose Grand Peloton just hours before the pros, and have raised $51,700 for the Georgia Cancer Coalition, the official beneficiary of the Ford Tour de Georgia.

Riding the same 25-mile route as the professionals from Cumming into Alpharetta, these men and women from 11 different states, took a more leisurely pace to the finish line, but the impression they made coming across that line made just as big a statement. For many of the participants in the BriarRose Grand Peloton, who traveled from as far away as California, Colorado and Michigan, the bicycle ride from Cumming was all about defeating cancer.

“Teaming with the Tour and the BriarRose Grand Peloton, we now have an opportunity for Georgians, and all race fans, to actively help our friends and neighbors who are battling cancer. The proceeds from the event will help us fund innovative cancer research projects that will lead to new prevention and treatment mechanisms," said Bill Todd, president and CEO of the Georgia Cancer Coalition, which as been the official beneficiary of the Tour for four years. "Having such gifted athletes like Greg LeMond and our team captains lend support in our ‘race to defeat cancer’ makes this very rewarding for all the participants in the Grand Peloton.”

Three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond was the honorary ride director, and he was joined by former U.S. champions Norm Alvis, Mari Holden & Steve Hegg as honorary team captains. The ride participants were placed into three teams, red, white and blue, and given special jerseys with these colors to denote their fundraising levels. The Red Team was led by Alvis, member of the 1988 Olympic team in Seoul, Korea; the White Team was led by Holden, a five-time women’s national champion; and the Blue Team was led by Hegg, a 1984 Olympic gold medalist.

While most of the participants rode in memory of loved ones who had lost the battle against cancer, some of the riders were living proof that the battle can be won. Lee McCoy was awarded the BriarRose yellow jersey for raising over $4,000. McCoy himself is a survivor of cancer of the esophagus, and he received chemotherapy treatment as recently as March 17 of this year.

“Being a recent cancer survivor, the BriarRose Grand Peloton gave me added strength from all the support and encouragement I received from the other riders. It showed me that there are a lot of people out there that want to help find a cure for cancer,” McCoy said after the ride. “It was a pure delight to interact with Greg, Norm, Mari and Steve. They were so outgoing and friendly and showed a genuine interest in the riders. I will always remember the BriarRose Grand Peloton as one of most exciting and enjoyable events I have ever participated in, and I can hardly wait until next year.”

The oldest cyclist who participated in the event was John Burke, an 81-year-old retired lawyer from Genesco, N.Y. Burke raised $900 and rode on the GE Energy Team with his daughter Molly Burke, an Atlanta resident and General Counsel for GE Energy's services business who raised more than $1,800 herself. GE Energy, a premier partner of the Ford Tour de Georgia, was the top corporate participant in the BriarRose Grand Peloton, having 14 employees and their family members in the event. Special recognition was given to Roswell Bicycles in Roswell, Ga. and Andy Jordan's Bicycle Warehouse in Augusta, Ga. for supporting the BriarRose Grand Peloton and recruiting participants.

The Ford Tour de Georgia continues to receive additional financial support for the Georgia Cancer Coalition from corporate sponsorships and merchandise sales. Proceeds from these initiatives, and the BriarRose Grand Peloton, will be allocated directly to the Georgia Cancer Coalition’s Cancer Research Fund, with a final tally being announced later this summer.

“I had goose bumps as The BriarRose Grand Peloton rolled through intersections and towns on our way to Alpharetta. The spectators and lines of traffic were applauding the peloton and our cause to fight cancer. People seemed to know exactly what we were doing and why we were doing it,” said Anthony Dorage, general manager of The BriarRose, located in White Plains, Ga. Dorage participated as part of the Red Team by raising over $2,500 for the Georgia Cancer Coalition. “Everything was so smooth. (It was) a cyclist’s dream come true.”

ABOUT THE FORD TOUR DE GEORGIA

The Ford Tour de Georgia is North America’s premier, professional cycling event and rolling festival of community activities. The Tour is held annually in the spring with a varying route. It is sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and USA Cycling (USAC) as a 2.HC rating (highest ranked event in North America), making the event one of the top stage races for elite athletes around the world. The 2005 Tour was won by Tom Danielson (USA) of the Discovery Channel Professional Cycling Team; champions from previous years include Lance Armstrong (USA) in 2004 and Chris Horner (USA) 2003. The Tour’s official beneficiary is the Georgia Cancer Coalition (GCC). The Georgia Cancer Coalition and the Georgia Department of Human Resources are teaming up to bring the Live Healthy Georgia Expo to the finish cities of the 2006 Ford Tour de Georgia. The Live Healthy Georgia Expo includes a variety of interactive, health-focused booths, children's activities, food and fun activities for all ages. The Ford Tour de Georgia is owned by The Georgia Partnership for Economic Development (GPED) and is managed by Medalist Sports. Merchandise and the latest updates are available at the official website, www.fordtourdegeorgia.com.

ABOUT THE GEORGIA CANCER COALITION

The Georgia Cancer Coalition is an independent, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization located in downtown Atlanta. The Coalition was incorporated under the laws of the state of Georgia effective July 27, 2001. Both the Internal Revenue Service and the Georgia Department of Revenue have granted tax-exempt status to the Coalition. The mission of the Georgia Cancer Coalition is to reduce the number of cancer deaths in the state. In so doing, Georgia intends to become a national leader in cancer control by accelerating prevention, early detection, treatment and research. The Georgia Cancer Coalition brings together leading Georgia hospitals, universities, biotech firms, civic groups, non-profits, and government agencies to provide cancer research, prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer. The Coalition was created to coordinate cancer-dedicated expenditures from the State’s share of the National Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund. The Coalition is registered as a Charitable Organization with the Secretary of State. The official website is www.georgiacancer.org.

ABOUT BRIARROSE

The BriarRose is just over an hour east of Atlanta near the community of White Plains in the Oconee River Valley and rests on the edge of the Piedmont where views of distant hilltops stretch for 30 miles. The BriarRose features a Roy Case-designed championship golf course, a state-of-the-art equestrian center, over 14 miles of bridle and biking trails, an elegant clubhouse, spa and fitness center, chapel, fresh market and multi-million dollar water complex. The company’s website is www.thebriarrose.com.