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The 9 Burdekin Riders and rear Driver at the Cairns finish line after completing the 371km 2026 Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride, Back row Left to Right: Brendan Mio, Evan Shannon, James Kennedy, Chris Mallon (driver), Middle Row Left to Right: Andrew Sherrington. Mark Dale, Robbie Mitchell, Brooke Cross, Front Row Left to Right: Mario Romeo, Meg Blakey. Photo supplied.
Nine Burdekin cyclists have conquered the gruelling 371km Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride, raising more than $22,000 for children's cancer research while earning top honours during the three-day challenge.
The local riders joined 140 participants in the 26th annual charity ride last weekend as part of the Eagles group, tackling 108km from Townsville to Ingham on day one, a demanding 170km leg to Innisfail via the Cardwell Range on day two, and a final 93km ride into Cairns.
Meg Blakey etched her name into the event's history by becoming the first female rider in the Eagles group to conquer the Cardwell Range, earning the coveted Queen of the Mountain title. Alongside Brooke Cross, Mario Romeo and James Kennedy, she spent much of the ride at the front of the pack, leading the group into Cairns.
Robbie Mitchell was also recognised, receiving the Eagles' Spirit of the Ride award for his dedication and long-term commitment to the event. The 2026 ride marked his 12th and final Townsville to Cairns challenge.
The Burdekin contingent rode in memory of Michael "Moon" Mooney, who died from Stage 4 metastatic melanoma in April 2019 after completing the event six times. Continuing a tradition held every year since his passing, the riders toasted his memory at the finish line in Cairns.
Now in its 26th year, the ride has raised more than $9.3 million for Children's Cancer Research, including $263,549 this year. The Eagles finished as the event's highest fundraising team with $42,519, while the Burdekin riders contributed $22,313.
The riders thanked the community for its support, with special acknowledgement to the Pioneer Hotel, whose Friday night meat tray raffles raised $1,910, and Eathorne's Masters, which donated $1,520 and has backed the ride through the Mooney Cup since 2019.
The Burdekin riders were Andrew Sherrington, Brendan Mio, Brooke Cross, Evan Shannon, James Kennedy, Mark Dale, Meg Blakey, Mario Romeo and Robert Mitchell.
Supplied by Robbie Mitchell
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