For the first time this year, the Bottlemart Midi-Smiddy -a 560 km, three day cycle around South-East Queensland-will be held from 28-30 May to raise funds for world-class cancer research.

A team of 60 cyclists including Australian Paralympic champion Michael Milton will hit the road in the "Midi-Smiddy", a spin off from the eight day Bottlemart Smiling for Smiddy Challenge held annually in September.

More than 100,000 Australians are diagnosed with cancer each year and two-time cancer survivor Milton will be an inspiration for the team on their journey. Milton has lost a leg, his oesophagus and 75 percent of his stomach capacity along the way-after being given only a 35 percent chance of survival.

Challenge Director, Mark Smoothy, said the new three day cycling challenge, which will visit Toowoomba and Warwick, is an opportunity to take the Smiddy experience further, bringing new riders into the Smiling for Smiddy family and increasing the contribution to world-class research at the Mater Medical Research Institute (MMRI).

"Midi-Smiddy will be physically and mentally tough for our team of cyclists, but the memory of losing family and friends, like Adam Smiddy, to this devastating disease inspire the team and I hope encourages others to participate now we have a shorter ride," said Mr Smoothy.

Since 2006, Smiling for Smiddy has raised over $1.1 million with funds supporting the MMRI and the team aim to raise $750,000 this year.

Smiling for Smiddy supports three world-class research projects at the Mater: prostate cancer research, melanoma drug trials, and a pilot study into complementary therapies to improve quality of life for cancer patients.

Mater Foundation Executive Director, Nigel Harris said, "Too many Australians are touched by cancer.  Thanks to vital funds raised by Smiling for Smiddy, scientists at MMRI are one step closer to developing new therapies for prostate cancer which could harness a person's own immune system to fight the disease."

Beneficiaries of Smiling for Smiddy funds include the Mater Foundation, Melanoma Patients Australia, LIVESTRONG Cancer Research Centre in South Australia and the PA Research Foundation.

The Challenge honours the memory of Adam Smiddy, a 26 year old Brisbane physiotherapist, who passed away to an aggressive cancer in August 2006.

Support the Bottlemart Midi-Smiddy and by visiting the cyclist's fundraising pages.