Aussie cycle tour donates flood funds

ADELAIDE, Australia, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Lance Armstrong was among the cyclists urging donations to Australian flood relief prior to this weekend's Santo Tour Down Under bike race in Adelaide.

Armstrong is among 133 riders competing for a purse that will be donated to the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal.

A contingent of Australian riders issued a statement saying they could not ignore the tragedy in Queensland where scores were killed in ongoing flooding that swept through the Brisbane area. "People have been hard hit by this crisis and whatever small role we can play to help we will but we urge everyone to make a donation to the official Premier's Flood Relief Appeal," said Robbie McEwen, a Queensland native.

The Tour Down Under got under way at the Wrigley Reserve near Adelaide Saturday and stretches into next week.

The event's official charity is the Cancer Council, which will be collecting donations from the spectators and earmarking a portion of the total to flood relief as well.