And Stuart Campbell will be on that bike competing in two events at next month's World Transplant Games on the Gold Coast.

Diagnosed with leukaemia at 26, Mr Campbell said he was "living proof" cancer could strike anyone at any time.

"A lot of my friends were surprised I got sick because I was always the fit, healthy guy.

"I went through the chemo and treatments and was in remission, but doctors said my only option was a bone marrow transplant."

A search of state and national registers turned up no matches for Mr Campbell's marrow. It took a worldwide search to find a donor.

"A girl in Germany was the only person we could find in the world that matched.

"I've never met her; I've sent letters, but we're not sure they even got through.

"I'm eternally grateful to her because I wouldn't be here without her."

Now 32, the truck driver, who married his sweetheart Tracy late last year and plans to start a family, said cycling had always been part of his life.

"I've been cyclist since I was 15. It was a big driver to get me through - I wanted to get back to life and get back on the bike."

Mr Campbell will compete in the 5km time trial and the 20km road race, the event in which he was pipped in a photo finish at the last World Transplant Games in Thailand two years ago.

The 17th World Transplant Games will be held on the Gold Coast, Queensland, from August 22-30.