MULTIPLE paralympic gold medallist and cancer survivor Michael Milton is back for his second stint as ambassador of the Ballarat Spokes Cycle Classic.Milton, who arrived in Ballarat from Canberra this week, will visit schools and speak at functions before riding in Sunday’s event along the Australian National Road Cycling Championships course at Mt Buninyong.The classic has this year expanded to a weekend festival to include BMX, downhill, endurance and madison cycling events. It will make up the inaugural Spokes Festival.The event is a major fundraiser for the Ballarat Cancer Research Centre.“When you look at a regional cancer research centre, they are quite rare. This one exists because of the unique work that they are doing. They need to raise money because they are not getting the same big city money as most of the centres and people doing this work are,” Milton said.“They are doing it with passion and doing it with love, and to be able to connect with the community in this sort of event is very important.”Milton, who holds the Australian record for the fastest skiing speed of 213.65kmh, has represented his country at five winter paralympics and one summer games as a cyclist.The 38-year-old said the BCRC cause was close to his heart. The father-of-two had his left leg amputated aged nine due to cancer, and was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2007. “I came here last year and I had never been to Ballarat before. My wife and two kids came down and we had a great weekend. When they asked if I wanted to come back I said ‘of course’.”For more information on the Spokes Festival, or to register in any of the events, visit www.ballaratcycleclassic.com.auVisit thecourier.com.au on Monday for all the photos and action from the weekend's event