The 68-year-old knows exactly what the combined efforts of running, walking and riding can mean in saving lives and improving cancer treatment.

In the three years since his diagnosis, Mr Powell has not had to undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy to fight his bladder cancer. Instead, aside from a little discomfort and soreness after each treatment, Mr Powell had no evident chemical or physical side-effects.

Mr Powell even kept participating each year in the Classic, first in the six-kilometre walk about Lake Wendouree, then in a cycle lap of the lake with his grandchildren. He now has clearance to re-join the road rides and will set out in the 85-kilometre event.

"I'm more determined now that I've been through immunotherapy and know how it's done and what it's doing. I'm all for supporting immunotherapy research...Anything that supports these ways of treating cancer," Mr Powell said.

"I first started in this event when it was based at the yacht club and organised a team to do laps of the lake. As I've done more riding I started doing the road race...I used to have mates who'd come from Melbourne to ride here because they know every cent goes to charity - that's a real incentive for them."

Ballarat Cycle Classic is the primary fundraiser for Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, which has a team focused on developing immunology for treating bladder, prostate and kidney cancers.

FECRI is Australia's only regional cancer research centre and receives no government funding. Every cent from entry fees supports the institute's programs.

The institute's work in immunology is helping to find proteins that allow cancer cells to evade the body's antibodies and immune response.

FECRI honourary director George Kannourakis said there can be some abnormalities or inflammation from treatment but these were usually not serious and most patients tended to only feel a little extra tiredness. This was why patients like Mr Powell could undergo prolonged treatment for three to four years.

Professor Kannourakis said there were still many patients who did not respond to immunology and this was why it was important for researchers to try and find more proteins, then determine antibodies to treat these. In the bigger picture, the more proteins discovered then the more treatments can be finely tailored to individuals' cancer.

MORE CLASSIC INSPIRATION

Mr Powell will remain undergoing checks to ensure his cancer does not return but he felt stronger and ready to move on with life.

Ballarat Cycle Classic is on February 20. To run, walk, ride or mountain bike, register at ballaratcycleclassic.com.au.