Chain Reaction was pleased Phil Liggett, world-renowned cycling commentator and Patron of Chain Reaction, visited Australia recently to regale audiences in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne with tales from his 45 years commentating the Tour de France.
Phil Liggett with SBS commentator Dave Mackenzie
Queensland Organising Committee with Phil Liggett
Each venue was at capacity with sell out attendance in Sydney to hear the legendary voice. In Brisbane, former Australian cyclist turned sports journalist, Scott McGrory, entertained as MC while in Sydney and Melbourne, SBS cycling commentator and Chain Reaction Ambassador and Coach, Dave McKenzie, sat down with Phil to interview the man behind the voice. Phil shared his personal stories about his long-time partnership with Paul Sherwen, who his favourite cyclist is, his tips for the 2017 Tour de France and Australian Richie Porte’s chances in this year’s event.
Sydney and Melbourne audiences also heard from former World Champion, Ashley Hutchinson on his involvement with Chain Reaction – how his sporting career as a cyclist made way for him to join the ranks of Chain Reaction, in turn securing his off-bike career and most recently, benefitting personally and directly from the funds Chain Reaction rides have raised for the Monash Children’s Hospital when his newborn son had to be treated in hospital for a life-threatening illness.
The three events were a great success and allowed Chain Reaction riders and alumni to reconnect off the bike, network with like-minded business people and introduce potential riders and sponsors to the Chain Reaction family. The events were also a celebration of the over $21million raised since 2007 and with two more rides still to come in 2017, the $2.4million that has been raised so far this year to help kids and families in need.
Phil Liggett has been the Patron of Chain Reaction since 2012 and has continued to show his support over the past 6 years by lending his voice to the daily on-ride videos for all Chain Reaction events. We thank him for his generous and on-going support of Chain Reaction and look forward to having the ‘Voice of Cycling’ back again for another event in the future!
