BEHIND the wheel of one of the lead cars in a 1270 kilometre cycling event is a Bendigo woman.

This will be Gerry Bateman’s third time on the support crew of the signature Tour de Cure. 

“The reason I do it is because we really need to find a cure,” she said.

“Too many people I know, including family and friends, have either lost their battle or are still fighting the disease.”

This year’s event aims to raise more than $2.4 million for cancer research, support and prevention programs. 

It started in Hotham on March 24, and ends in Hobart on April 1.

At each overnight stop, the tour donates $10,000 to local cancer projects.

Tour de Cure has funded more than 250 cancer projects and achieved 18 world-class cancer breakthroughs since 2007.

It has also delivered a program promoting cancer prevention to more than 81,000 Australian school children.

One in three cancers is preventable.

Mrs Bateman said people could donate via the Tour de Cure website and follow the journey on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.