Sean Joyce was a talented cyclist but, at only 31 years of age, his life was cut short after the diagnosis of a rare gut cancer.

The parents of the former pro rider, David and Sirpa, have entered this year’s Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge to raise awareness of cholangiocarcinoma – cancer in the bile ducts of the liver – and raise money for the Gut Cancer Foundation.

David had planned to ride with his son once he recovered, but Sean’s illness took his life in just one year.

Sean started cycling at 10 and decided he wanted to go professional by age 16, after making the under-17 national cycling team, his parents said.

At 20, he travelled to Belgium and rode for several teams.

“Cycling is a love that we shared with Sean, so to honour him, we are riding for the Gut Cancer Foundation.

“Not many people have heard of cholangiocarcinoma, and if we can help put some funds behind it to change outcomes for others, that’s one way we can do something positive in Sean’s name,” Sirpa said.

While the Joyces have already tripled their $1000 fundraising target, they still have time to raise even more.

“It will be my 30th ride around the lake, so it’s special that I’m doing it for Sean,” David said.

“Even more special is that I’m going to be on a bike that was gifted to him by his boss Arne at Get Fixed in Belgium, where he worked as a bike mechanic.

Sean made a huge impact on all those he came into contact with. His family, his partner, his friends, and fellow athletes.

“If anyone deserved to live a full and healthy life, it was him. It was cruelly taken from him, and we will never know why. He will forever live in our hearts and minds. We all love him so dearly.”

Events like this are important to Gut Cancer Foundation, foundation chief executive Liam Wills said, not only to raise money but also awareness of cancers with “unacceptably low survival rates”.

You can ride with David and Sirpa for the Gut Cancer Foundation, or donate online.

Gut cancer is the term for cancers of the digestive system, including the oesophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas and bowel.

Each year, more than 5700 New Zealanders are diagnosed with a gut cancer and half of these people will die within five years of diagnosis.

The BDO Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge is New Zealand’s largest cycling event, and will bring around 5000 riders and over 7000 supporters to the Taupō region on Saturday, November 26.

The event has multiple event categories for all abilities. To find out more visit cyclechallenge.com.

Credit: stuff.co.nz