'The Bodyguard'
John Flynn (Crocodile Trophy) / 16.06.2009
Overwhelmed with the romance of Australia's outback, Cairns cyclist Scott McLennan plans to sacrifice everything to ensure his wife Abby reaches the podium of Australia's legendary Crocodile Trophy Mountainbike Race in October 2009.Having joined the Crocodile Trophy alumni after surviving his first campaign in 2007, McLennan has selflessly agreed to work as a domestique for his partner, who has set herself the ambitious goal of matching it with best of the visiting European and Australian women riders.
A no-nonsense "security provider" by night and a tough-guy of the road by day, McLennan has also enlisted the support of workmate James Banner-Smith for the gruelling ten stage, 1300 kilometre adventure. The two book-ends will form the backbone of the "Rattle & Hum" team, acting as Abby McLennan's bodyguards in the magnificent yet hostile world of the Outback.
"It's all about Abby, we're here to look after her," McLennan said. "To be honest it was her idea to begin with. After watching the duel last year between (Australia's) Jo Bennett and the Belgian girl (Karen Steurs), Abby was inspired and decided she had to have a go."
Abby McLennan's resume already includes back-to-back victories in Australia's original one-day cross-country epic, the Triple RRR Classic from Mount Molloy to Port Douglas. Cairns leading female cyclist also rode to victory in the open women's division at the previous two editions of Townsville's Paluma Push.
So serious is she about the Crocodile Trophy assault, Abby plans to step down from her job as a beauty therapist to train full-time for the race between now and October. "From what Scott has told me, the Croc Trophy isn't like any other bike race," Abby said. "As well as incredible endurance, you need speed to stay with the faster packs."
The Rattles & Hum trio can expect an additional challenge in 2009 with the opening stage, slated for Cairns to Lake Tinaroo via the famed Copperlode climb, likely to be one of the hardest in the history of the event. Not since Cairns hosted the World Mountainbike Championships in 1996 has such an ambitious parcours for a single stage been mapped out. Permit approvals are being sought for the route that will feature more than 2000 metres of climbing through spectacular rainforest, linking the Great Barrier Reef port city of Cairns with the Tropical Tableland.
Supported by Cairns bike shop Pump n Pedals, The Rattle & Hum team is one of two North Queensland based teams already signed up for the 2009 Crocodile Trophy. An announcement is pending on a third "highly-credentialed" local team to take on the Europeans.
Cyclists and teams from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, The Czech Republic and The Netherlands have are already confirmed their participation for the race start in Cairns, Australia on October 20th. The Crocodile Trophy will take in the very best of Australia's remote outback, rainforest and tropical beaches before it concludes in Cape Tribulation on October 29th.
The Crocodile Trophy is benefiting from funding under the Queensland Events Regional Development Program (QERDP). The QERDP is an investment program designed to extend the flow of economic and social benefits of events to regional Queensland.
A state-wide initiative, the program is committed to enhancing existing events in regional Queensland, as well as assisting in the establishment of new events.
Since the QERDP began in 2001, more than $12.5 million has been invested in 600 regional events, an indicator of the important role these events play in their communities and wider Queensland.
To find out more about the Crocodile Trophy visit www.crocodile-trophy.com
