Morton raises over $160,000 and counting for Ukrainian refugees with epic border ride

The news of war in Ukraine with Russia invading the country hit Australian Lachlan Morton while racing with Ukrainian teammate Mark Padun, with the professional cyclist and ultra endurance athlete commencing on a new boundary-pushing ride to the Ukrainian border to raise money for refugees.

Lachlan Morton completed his 5,510 Kilometre Alt-Tour journey around France in 18 days. Source: Getty Images

Morton was in Spain, racing the Gran Camiño, when he heard the news that Russia had invaded Ukraine, sitting with his teammate Padun at the breakfast table. Mark is from Ukraine. His friends and family were now living in a war zone. 

“That made it hit closer to home, having a teammate who is directly impacted by it,” Lachlan said. “I found it hard to focus on trying to get ready for a race when something so significant was happening in the world.

"I’m a pretty optimistic person generally, but in the past couple of weeks, I’ve just felt that there has been very little to be excited about. It’s hard to get your head around. It’s surreal in a way. You watch the news, and the news is so heavy that you almost just disengage from it, because it is too much.”

With war breaking out within Europe, the closeness of it all had Morton engaging with the idea of completing another epic ride on his increasing list of largely solo ultra-endurance cycling challenges. Last year, Morton rode 'The Alt Tour', riding solo and unsupported on the same route as the Tour de France, raising near a million dollars Australian for World Bicycle Relief.

The proximity of Ukraine to central Europe spawned the notion for the fundraising ride for Ukraine refugees. 

“I kept thinking, wow, I could actually do that in one ride,” Morton said. “So that was my idea. I’m not an overly political person. I’m not an expert in any of this. I’m just trying to do the one thing I know how to do and engage the bike-riding community to help.

"My idea is to highlight the fact that war is not a far-off problem. Conflicts are a bike ride away, all over the world. That’s the intention behind it, and to try and raise as much money as we can to help out people who have been displaced.”

Morton has already raised over $160,000 AUD for the charity, easily surpassing his initial expectations. The 1,063 kilometre ride is to be done in one go, with Morton updating his progress periodically from the road.

EF Education First, Cannondale, and Rapha have combined to donate $100,000 to the relief fund. You can learn more about GlobalGiving's Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund and donate here.