The toughest Mountain bike race in the World

bigbazza · Oct 18, 2010

Starts in my home town in an hour.
Named The Croc Trophy, over 1,000 KM (around 625 miles).

News for The Croc Trophy, Cairns
http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2010/10/19/131121_local-sport-news.html

DUTCH mountain bike legend Bart Brentjens has returned to the Far North for his second tilt at the Croc Trophy armed with the most dangerous weapon of all - knowledge.

The 1996 Olympic cross-country mountain bike champion finished second behind Switzerland’s Urs Huber last year after the pair engaged in an epic duel over the Croc Trophy’s 10 stages.

Brentjens, who also won bronze at the 2004 Olympics, hopes that experience enables him to go one better in 2010.

"I think it’s good to know the course a little bit and know what kind of terrain there is," he said.

"You know where the hard bits are to take it easy and where to push.

"It’s good to have the experience from last year.

"I know the first stage and the first few stages were the hardest for the whole race.
• And Much More! (see the link above. Too much to list here.)
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Crocodile Trophy 2010: Stars align.
1200km. 12,000m of elevation. From Cairns to Cape Tribulation through Queensland's outback. In 10 days. That's the Australian Crocodile Trophy for you. With a quarter of participants Australian, last year's podium getters call for revenge as the hardest adventure MTB race is kicked off for the 16th time in Cairns from 19-28 October 2010.

http://au.sports.yahoo.com/banzai/cycle/feature/-/8140496/crocodile-trophy-2010-stars-align/
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Google link is:
http://www.google.com/search?q=The+Croc+Trophy+cairns&hl=en&num=10&lr=&ft=i&cr=&safe=images
for lots more background info.

Bazza

bigbazza · Oct 20, 2010

Day 1 update.
Crocodile Trophy
http://www.bikeradar.com/racing/racestage/report/crocodile-trophy-2010-stage-1-883

More than 75 athletes from 16 different countries, including the complete podium of last year's event, kicked off the Crocodile Trophy in Cairns today at 9.30am. Organisers were challenged by the torrential rain that fell over the past few days. Due to a mudslide, the first stage, which was scheduled to run from Cairns to the Atherton Tablelands through a rainforest, had to be diverted after 25km and restarted.
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Bazza

bigbazza · Oct 21, 2010

Day 3 update (sOrry, I missed Day 2) :-o

The Croc Trophy Cairns
http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2010/10/22/131781_local-sport-news.html
THE Croc Trophy reached its third stage yesterday with a vengeance as riders launched their assault on the 144km stretch dividing Granite Gorge from Irvinebank.

Cloudy skies and a light sprinkling of rain began yesterday’s stage, and though the cloud cover proved a blessing, riders were later hampered by strong headwinds.

Again dominating the field were defending champion Urs Huber and Bart Brentjens.

Following a puncture earlier in the stage, Brentjens together with Cory Williams, who also punctured, fought back to reach the lead group and take the stage in 5:18:34.

Huber followed inches behind in 5:18:35 to maintain the overall lead by four minutes.

The first Australian rider to make it to Irvinebank was 55-year-old Hans Delacher from Byron Bay, who finished 13th after clocking 6:6:22 for the stage.

Continuing her winning streak, Cairns local Abby McLennan from team Rattle ’N’ Hum proved her strength and determination by completing the stage in 7:13:44 despite the difficult terrain.

Today’s stage sees competitors leave Irvinebank for a 157km ride to Chillagoe.

Do a Search on The Croc Trophy Cairns if you'd like more info, or just out of curiousity.

Bazza

bigbazza · Oct 21, 2010

For more event info, visit www.crocodile-trophy.com.
http://www.crocodile-trophy.com/trophy/the_race.html

1. Stage Cairns - Lake Tinaroo l 98 km/1800 m l Tue., 19. October
2. Stage Lake Tinaroo - Granite Gorge l 71 km/1250 m l Wed., 20. October
3. Stage Granite Gorge- Irvinebank l 144 km/1600 m l Thu., 21. October
4. Stage Irvinebank - Chillagoe l 157 km/1700 m l Fri, 22. October
5. Stage Chillagoe - Chillagoe l 100 km/1000 m l Sat., 23. October
6. Stage Chillagoe - Mt. Mulgrave l 137 km/1100 m l Sun., 24. October
7. Stage Mt. Mulgrave - Laura l 151 km/1100 m l Mon., 25. Oct.
8. Stage Laura - Cooktown l 142 km/1150 m l Tue., 26. Oct.
9. Stage Cooktwon - Ayton l 124 km/1900 m l Wed., 27. October
10. Stage - NEW: Time Trial Ayton - Cape Triubulation l 38 km/700 m l Thu., 28. October

I think you'll agree that it is a long, tough race.
FYI, the number in M (metres) is the distance they have to climb (up or down) in each stage.

Bazza

bigbazza · Oct 22, 2010

The Croc Trophy Cairns
Stage 4: Irvinebank - Chillagoe 157km
http://www.bikeradar.com/racing/racestage/report/crocodile-trophy-2010-stage-4-886
Crocodile Trophy 4: A first for Kirsipuu

Up until now Estonian superstar Jaan Kirsipuu has taken a back seat at the Crocodile Trophy. However, the flat terrain towards the bush outpost of Chillagoe suited him perfectly and he claimed his first stage win.

Austrian Philipp Ludescher came in second and Allan Oras (EST) followed in third.

It was in 1999 that Kirsipuu achieved the first Tour de France stage win for Estonia. In 2010 he succeeded in the Crocodile Trophy with a finishing time of 4:55.03. Just like in his prime as a sprinter, the elevenfold Estonian Champion prevailed on 157 long, but mostly flat kilometres against seven opponents. Fellow Estonian Allan Oras completed the fantastic team result with a third place.
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General classification after stage 4

1 Urs Huber (Swi) Team Stöckli-Craft 15:13:28
2 Bart Brentjens (Ned) 0:04:23
3 Mike Mulkens (Bel) 0:33:10
4 Allan Oras (Est) Rietumu-Delfin 0:58:34
5 Cory Wallace (Can) 1:28:05

Women
1 Abby McLennan (Aus) ...............Rattle N Hum-------20:25:55
2 Lauretta Howarth (Aus)----------SheSpoke Cycle Wear 3:42:28
3 Nancy Caceres (Aus)------------------------------ 4:40:38
4 Lesley Sutton (Aus) ---------------------------- 5:47:16
5 Maree Roberts (Aus) ------------SheSpoke Cycle Wear 6:25:54
6 Sharman Parr (NZl) --------------SheSpoke Cycle Wear 6:41:22
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My note: No Aussie men in the first 5 places. :cry
The Aussie ladies, however, are 5/5. :cool

Bazza

bigbazza · Oct 23, 2010

The Croc Trophy.
Stage 5 Results October 23,
Stage 5: Start and finish in Chillagoe 100km

Austrian riders Tschellnig, Ludescher go one-two in stage 5
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/crocodile-trophy-sr-1/stage-5/results

Completely by surprise, Christoph Tschellnig claimed a Boomerang for Austria. Today's second place finisher Philipp Ludescher, also completed the successful day for his home country while Canadian Cory Wallace returned to a well-deserved third spot after two days of bad luck and mechanicals.

It's half time at the hardest mountain bike race in the world and to reward the riders for the efforts to far, the easiest stage was scheduled for today: 100 relatively flat kilometres with start and finish in Chillagoe, to be completed by riding a 50km fireroad into one direction and then back. But to compensate for the "easy dash into the bush", the riders faced a fierce head wind on their way back, and temperatures climbed to a cozy 36 degrees (Celsius).
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Bazza

PS: 100 kms = 62 miles
36°C = 97°F

Baz

bigbazza · Oct 24, 2010

The Croc Trophy.
Stage 6 Results October 24

October 24, Stage 6: Chillagoe - Mt. Mulgrave 137km
Crocodile Trophy in mourning.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/crocodile-trophy-sr-1/stage-6/results
Stage 6 neutralized after racer's death

See attachment: Weit Heuker racing the Crocodile Trophy before his death.

Due to a tragic fatality, the sixth stage of the Crocodile Trophy was called off. The racing was neutralised with the field of riders being guided to Mt. Mulgrave.

At six o'clock this morning, the organisers and riders woke up to the terrible news that the Dutch rider Weit Heuker had passed away during the night of October 23-24. The 59-year-old suffered from cardiovascular and circulatory failure according to doctors who had been called immediately could only diagnose his death.

"We learned this morning - unfortunately only now - that Weit Heuker already had suffered a cardiac arrest a few years ago and had been under medical care since then," said the head of the medical support team of the Crocodile Trophy Dr. Alexandra Reimann.

"Our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends and teammates," said event organiser Gerhard Schönbacher.

Today's stage was cancelled out of respect for the deceased rider
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Bazza

augiedoggie · Oct 24, 2010

LOL, I thought that the Texas Hell Week was tough! You Aussies are just plain nuts! An i-friend has done this three times already and the heat was always over 100. Darn good for a 40+ year old though he wasn't even close to the front. Changed his career from an IT guy to working at a high-end bike shop during all the recession cuts.:eek He's doing well.

bigbazza · Oct 25, 2010

Hi augiedoggie :cool
I looked up your link to Texas Hellweek. Do you know who rates the events?

Difficulty Ratings range from 1 (Challenging) to 5 (Extremely Challenging).
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I wonder what they rate The Croc Trophy as? #5 I assume.

The International men are ahead of the Aussie men, so far. It must be hell coming from European/UK/USA near-winter temperatures, to Aussie near-summer temperatures (and humidity here).

Bazza

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augiedoggie said: ↑

LOL, I thought that the Texas Hell Week was tough! You Aussies are just plain nuts! An i-friend has done this three times already and the heat was always over 100.
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bigbazza · Oct 25, 2010

Crocodile Trophy 2010
October 25, Stage 7: Mt. Mulgrave - Laura 151km
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/crocodile-trophy-sr-1/stage-7/results

Brentjens takes 3-man sprint for stage victory
Today the race leaders beat the seventh day itch: on the stage from Mt Mulgrave to Laura, which was marked with heat, wind, dust and river crossings, Bart Brentjens claimed stage win number three. The Dutch rider decided the sprint against Switzerland's Urs Huber and Austrian Philipp Ludescher. Heroic was the performance of the Carinthian rider Christoph Sokoll: he finished despite a possible broken collarbone.

Three of the eight riders, who arrived with muddy faces and a good 20 minute lead on the chaser group at the aboriginal settlement of Laura, had known since the early morning hours what was ahead of them: both Urs Huber, who leads the overall ranking by 4:19 and chaser Bart Brentjens, as well as current third Mike Mulkens knew the 151km long stage from last year. The conclusions that they drew from having a head start in terms of knowing the track, however, were completely different
- And Much More!
- Main Features: (see the link above. Too much to list here.)
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21 photos from Stage 7
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/crocodile-trophy-sr-1/stage-7/photos

Bazza

bigbazza · Oct 26, 2010

Crocodile Trophy 2010 October 26, Stage 8: Laura - Cooktown 142km
Huber retains overall lead
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/crocodile-trophy-sr-1/stage-8/results

Estonian Allan Oras en route to a stage victory.

Allan Oras claimed today's stage arriving at Cooktown. The Canadian Cory Wallace and the overall leader Urs Huber completed the podium high above the coastal town.

"This is the most beautiful view I have ever seen in my life," said an astonished Oras after just having arrived at the Grassy Hill high above Cooktown after four hours, 41 minutes and 24 seconds of riding. With this stage win at the Crocodile Trophy, a long desired dream had come true for the 34-year-old Estonian. Nevertheless, immediately afterwards he had eyes only for the panoramic view, which Captain Cook himself must have marvelled at in 1777 upon his arrival: green rain forest, white beaches and the azure ocean.

Already in the lead bunch with Rene Haselbach and the two Belgian riders Mike Mulkens and Cristof Mariën from kilometre 15, the 2009 European marathon champion was the only one who was able to fend off the approaching chase group. He increased his slim lead of 30 seconds to five minutes towards the finish line.

"My friend Jaan Kirsipuu helped me and carried a lot of the work load," said the first-time traveller to the Southern hemisphere and surprise stage winner
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Stage 8 photos
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/crocodile-trophy-sr-1/stage-8/photos
For one example, see thumbnail.

Bazza

bigbazza · Oct 27, 2010

Crocodile Trophy 2010 October 27, Stage 9: Cooktown - Ayton 124km
Ludescher lands a tight win
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/crocodile-trophy-sr-1/stage-9/results

On a shortened stage through tropical rainforests Austrian rider Philipp Ludescher finally got himself a stage win and with it the highly desired Boomerang. The youngest participant of the Crocodile Trophy won ahead of Estonian Allan Oras and Canada's Cory Wallace in a thrilling finish sprint.

Fellow Austrian Christoph Sokoll was forced to watch the race from the sidelines after a broken collar bone cut the event short for the Carinthian rider.

Not a day passes without any challenges for the organisers of the Crocodile Trophy. From mudslides and a race restart to broken-down depot cars and a tragic fatality - the crisis management skills of organiser Gerhard Schönbacher and his crew have been challenged quite a bit at this year's event.

On the ninth day of the Trophy a new stage track had to be spontaneously found. "The Bloomfield River's water levels are extremely high this year. To cross it would be totally irresponsible," explained Schönbacher at the daily rider briefing.
- And Much More! (see the link above. Too much to list here.)
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October 27, Stage 9: Cooktown - Ayton 124km Stage 9 photos
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/crocodile-trophy-sr-1/stage-9/photos
Click to expand...

Bazza

bigbazza · Oct 28, 2010

Crocodile Trophy 2010 October 28, Stage 10: Ayton - Cape Tribulation 38km
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/crocodile-trophy-sr-1/stage-10/results

By: Cycling NewsPublished: October 28, 13:12, Updated: October 28, 13:39
Huber wins final stage and overall
McLennan dominates women's category

With a win at today's time trial, Urs Huber secured his second Crocodile Trophy victory in a row. Bart Brentjens and Mike Mulkens were second and third, both in the stage and the classification. Abby McLennan dominated the women's field throughout the entire race and claimed the overall women's classification with a record lead.

Excitement was in the air as the field of riders gathered this morning at 9:00 am for the final showdown. For the first time, the 38km long stage from Ayton to Cape Tribulation was raced as a time trial, whereby the athletes started in reverse order of the overall classification.

The first riders off were those for whom this event has been more fun and adventure than competition. They included experienced adventure racer Sharman Parr, triathlete Lauretta Howarth and the road racer Maree Robers, who were part of the first all-women's team at the Crocodile Trophy. Belgian rider Kurt Alderweireldt, who had been raising funds for each and every kilometre ridden at the Croc for the Marc Herremans-Foundation, E-Biker Udo Huber, Klaus Sever from Austria and Belgian cross country racer Bart Verberckmoes, who has been living with a inserted nuts in his spine since a severe accident, were among the 66 participants from all over the world, between 23 and 60 years old.

Even though Brentjens achieved a lead of 40 seconds over Huber on the first flat kilometres, the Swiss rider seized one second after the other on the nasty uphills in the tropical rainforest of North Queensland. After a time of 1:15.01 the 25-year-old crossed the finish line at Cape Tribulation with 23 seconds lead over "Sir Bart" - and promised right there and then to return to the Croc next year. Third was, as in 2009, the Belgian rider Mulkens.

For the ladies, 30-year-old Abby McLennan finished the Crocodile Trophy first after a consistent performance and with an impressive lead of 7:53 hours over Lauretta Howarth and Nancy Carceres. Coming in as third last year and having been talked into participating again by her husband, the 30-year-old was ecstatic about her dream coming true. And also Jaan Kirsipuu was happy after his arrival as Masters winner - especially, considering the result of the Estonian delegation overall (the team Rietumu-Delfin won the team-classification).
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Stage 10 Results
- Full results (see the link above. Much too much to list here.):-D
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And so another Croc Trophy comes to an end, for another year.

Bazza

augiedoggie · Oct 28, 2010

...and nobody died. -D

bigbazza · Oct 29, 2010

One died, unfortunately. Read my #7 post.

Bazza

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augiedoggie said: ↑

...and nobody died. -D
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The toughest Mountain bike race in the World

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