"Don’t be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth - Rumi"
ABOUT
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Tour Des Chateau 2026 presents a unique two-week cycling adventure through Slovenia’s Julian Alps and Italy’s legendary Dolomites. This extraordinary journey blends world-class cycling with a meaningful charitable mission, continuing the Tour Des Chateau tradition of raising funds for cancer research at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne.
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Following successful editions in France, Belgium, and Spain, the 2026 event takes riders to two of Europe’s most spectacular and unspoilt cycling regions. From Slovenia’s emerald valleys and alpine lakes to the towering limestone peaks of the Dolomites, participants will ride some of the continent’s most iconic roads and climbs—many made famous by the world’s greatest cycling races.
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Along the way, riders will experience the rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality that define this corner of Europe. Carefully designed routes balance challenge and enjoyment,
Offering unforgettable days in the saddle across dramatic mountain passes and serene alpine terrain.
Tour Des Chateau 2026 is more than a cycling tour. It is an opportunity to push personal limits, build lasting friendships, and contribute to vital cancer research that gives hope to thousands of patients and families.
Every pedal stroke and every summit reached carries purpose beyond the ride itself.
2026 - Rides and Routes
TBD
1
km
Distance
m
Elevation
Gain
TBD
2
km
Distance
m
Elevation
Gain
TBD
TBD
4
km
Distance
m
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Week 1 : 1st June - 9th June
3
km
Distance
m
Elevation
Gain
TBD
5
km
Distance
m
Elevation
Gain
Passo Giau
6
70 km
Distance
1,500m
Elevation
Gain
Week 2 : 10th June - 14th June
Passo Falzarego
7
75 km
Distance
1,600m
Elevation
Gain
Sella Ronda Circuit
8
55 km
Distance
1,780m
Elevation
Gain
Fedaia Pass
9
70 km
Distance
1,400m
Elevation
Gain
Peter Mac is the home of Australia’s largest cancer research group and is embedded within a hospital. Researchers ride in the lifts with patients and their worried loved ones. Peter Mac’s laboratory researchers are embedded within the hospital environment and are uniquely placed to translate research discoveries as quickly as possible into real treatments for cancer patients. This is an incredible driver.
Their researchers are passionate and determined to find new and better treatments, as quickly as possible, so that every person with cancer has the best chance of being cured.
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The research program encompasses 31 laboratories and approximately 600 laboratory scientists, clinician-researchers, research nurses and other health professionals. They are involved in basic, pre-clinical and translational research, clinical trials and research to improve the social, emotional and physical impacts of cancer on patients, their families and carers.
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Researchers work across all types of cancer. At the heart of everything they do are the patients. Researchers are searching for new and better ways to:
(1) Prevent cancers before they occur, so that fewer people need to face the words “You have cancer."
(2) Detect cancers at an early stage, so that patients have the best chance of being cured.
(3) Treat cancers in ways that are more effective, and have fewer side-effects.
(4) Cure patients’ cancers so they can lead long and happy lives, free from cancer.
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Their cancer researchers are internationally recognized for their leading role in accelerating the search for cancer cures. However, they rely on donations from the public to make their vital work possible.
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Peter Mac's 2,500-strong workforce of talented staff, many of whom are world-leaders in their field, are passionate about their role in helping to eliminate cancer. Each year they care for over 29,000 people with cancer, and every day their researchers contribute to advances in treatment, driving better survival rates for patients. They are grateful to all their supporters who share their passion to reduce the burden of cancer on our community and have endorsed Tour Des Chateau as an official Fund Raiser.
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Together we can make a difference or as the say they would say in France 'ensemble nous pouvons faire la différence'.
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Sponsors
Lillian
Astorri
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This year’s Tour des Chateau also carries the story of someone close to our riding community. Lillian Astorri is the sister of Ray Vella, one of our regular weekly riders and a dear friend to many of us. Her journey is a powerful reminder of why we ride.
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Lillian was first diagnosed with an aggressive HER2-positive breast cancer in August 2020, just one year after losing her husband to oesophageal cancer. Lillian was left raising her highly dependent autistic daughter and trying to rebuild her life.
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Her treatment was intense with 15 months of chemotherapy, operations and twenty-five rounds of radiation. The side effects were severe resulting in many hospital admissions and long-term conditions including lymphoedema, lipoedema and neuropathy. It took five years for her to feel anything close to normal again.
Throughout it all, she continued to care for her daughter and strongly advocate to maintain vital support services for her.
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“There are two ways to face cancer,” Lillian says. “You can feel defeated and powerless or you can choose to understand the lessons it teaches you and fight for your life.”
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In August 2025, exactly five years after her first diagnosis, a routine check revealed the cancer had returned. The news was devastating, but Lillian knew she had to be tenacious and fight again, for her daughters, her grandchild, and the life she still wanted to enjoy.
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This time Lillian chose to undergo a double mastectomy with complex reconstructive surgery. Another rigorous course of chemotherapy was prescribed. The emotional toll of her procedures and treatment since August has been immense and there is still another 12 months of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, but Lillian has drawn strength from her faith, friends, family, medical resources, and her determination to stay in control of her journey.
“I feel empowered when I understand what’s happening and have good conversations with my medical team,” she says. “At the end of this I know I will be a different person as these difficult experiences change your perspective of life and priorities. Thank goodness I live in Australia with such good medical resources for breast cancer. My chances of survival are so much better.”
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Stories like Lillian’s are why Tour des Chateau exists. Every kilometre ridden and every dollar raised helps fund the research that gives people like Lillian more time, more options, and more hope.
This year, we ride for Lillian and for everyone living and fighting cancer.
2024 Gallery
TDC 2o24
in 2024 TDC travelled to :
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- Vervins (FRE)
- Laon (FRE)
- Chimay (BEL)
- Alpe D'huez (FRE)
- Bedoin (FRE)
- Mount Ventoux (FRE)
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2024 riders and fundraisers:
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- Rick Morar (AU)
- Paul Anderson (AU)
- Chris Roberts (AU)
- Patrick Quah(AU)
- Shad Mortazavi (AU)
- Omid Mortazavi (GB)
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Money Raised for Charity
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$7,021AUD for the Peter Mac foundation
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Statistics​
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459 KM
7.343 M climbing
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Week 1 – The team cycled through the fortified churches and farms surrounding Vervins including the historic town of Leon. They also ventured into Belgium to the famous town of Chimay..
Week 2- The team travelled to south of France and completed the Tour de France climbs of Alpe D'Huez and Mont Ventoux!
2023 Gallery
TDC 2o23
in 2023 TDC travelled to :
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- Vervins (FRE)
- Laon (FRE)
- Oudenaarde (BEL)
- Chimay (BEL)
- St Sabastian (SPN)
- Pampolonia (SPN)
- Ponferrada (SPN)
- Sarria (SPN)
- Santiago de Compostela (SPN)
Money Raised for Charity
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$18,212 AUD for the Peter Mac foundation
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2023 riders and fundraisers:
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- Rick Morar (AU)
- Paul Anderson (AU)
- Gary Nisbett (AU)
- Carlo Nizeti (AU)
- Shad Mortazavi (AU)
- Omid Mortazavi (GB)
- Mathew Erwin (AU)
Statistics​
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775 KM
9,505 M climbing
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Week 1 – The team cycled through the fortified churches and farms surrounding Vervins including the historic town of Leon. They also ventured into Belgium and rode the famous cobblestones and iconic Roubaix.
Week 2- The team travelled to Spain and completed 480 KM of the Camino de Santiago. This was. a journey of 431.7 km, 21h 16m and 6,382 meters of climbing
2022 Gallery
TDC 2o22
in 2022 TDC travelled to :
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- Vervins (FRE)
- Reims (FRE)
- Guise (FRE)
- Bruges (BEL)
- Chimay (BEL)
- Lake Como (Italy)
- Bormio (Italy)
Money Raised for Charity
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$13,506 AUD for the Peter Mac foundation
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2022 riders and fundraisers:
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- Rick Morar (AU)
- Paul Anderson (AU)
- Patrick Quah (AU)
- Chris Roberts (AU)
- Carlo Nizeti (AU)
- Shad Mortazavi (AU)
- Omid Mortazavi (GB)
- Steve Rawnsley (AU)
Statistics​
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554 KM
6,228 M climbing
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Week 1 – The team cycled through the fortified churches and farms surrounding Vervins including the historic town of Guise and Leon. They also ventured into Belgium via a scenic forest track to sample the local monastic beer. The team also had a ride and stay in Reims and went on a tour of Tattinger. On the day off day, the team visited the historic city of Bruges.
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Week 2- The team travelled to Lake Como, in Northern Italy’s Lombardy region. During their stay in Lake Como, they climbed into Switzerland and cycled 125K/165K around Lake Como. The second part of the week the team cycled to Bormio and climbed the iconic Passo dello Stelvio at an elevation of 2,758m.
