Mount Isa cyclists will pay to one of its own and one of the town’s great sporting stars with a special ride this Sunday.
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Starting at 8am outside the Outback at Isa, cyclists will do a 20km ride to honour Commonwealth Games gold medallist Brett Dennis who died last month aged 45.
Brett passed away in Canberra, where he had resided for more than 20 years but he was born and bred in Mount Isa.
Born in 1971, he was educated at Sunset State School and the former Kalkadoon State High School.
His cycling career began with the Mount Isa Amateur Cycling Club (now Copper City Cycling Club) and from a Mount Isa junior he blossomed into one of Australia’s biggest cycling stars.
He left Mount Isa to take up a scholarship with the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.
He is considered one of the pioneers and instrumental characters of that program that produced many of Australia’s finest cycling athletes throughout the 1990s.
Brett cemented his place in cycling history with Australian titles, international stage race wins including victories over the best in world cycling including Lance Armstrong and his 1994 Commonwealth Games gold medal in the 100km team time trial event.
Another former Mount Isa cyclist, Chris Carson, attended his funeral in Canberra to represent his family and the many Mount Isa cyclists who hold Brett in the highest regard, as a friend and cycling champion.
Carson said his final farewell was graced by a who’s who of cycling, with so many cycling greats there to pay their respects, many giving glowing tributes.
“Amid all the grief, it was amazing to see what an impact Brett had made on the Australian cycling community,” Carson said.
“He was highly respected and he truly was a hero and inspiration to so many, including myself. When asked where he was from, Brett always proudly declared Mount Isa”.
When asked where he was from, Brett always proudly declared Mount Isa
- Chris Carson
Friends also send their condolences and thoughts to his wife Kylie and children Callum and Briarna in this difficult time.
Leaving from Outback at Isa at 8am and returning for refreshments Sunday’s ride will commemorate Brett's life and achievements.
Steve Carson said there would be tears but also, no doubt, laughter when some of the antics of this Isa larrikin are told.