The Crocodile Trophy
About The Journey
John-Michael Flynn. Photos; Mark Watson / 15.10.2005
The Crocodile Trophy of 2005 begins with a 70 kilometre prologue stage on the beach at Rowes Bay, in Queensland’s Tropical Capital of Townsville.It’s just a teaser for what is to come over 1400 kilometres and thirteen stages, from the rainforest covered mountains of Queensland’s Far North Coast, to the remote outback of Cape York.
In contrast to last year’s event, the early stages of the Crocodile Trophy will be shorter in distance and more suited to the climbers in the bunch.
The race caravan will travel from Kirkland Downs near Townsville to Paluma, then onward via Lake Lucy, and Blencoe Falls to Koombooloomba Dam at the Southern end of the Atherton Tableland.
The longest stage will be 148 kilometres, but the terrain over the opening four stages is sure to sting the legs of even the most well prepared racers.
From Koombooloomba, the Croc Trophy heads ‘outback’ via Ravenshoe to the remote outposts of Irvinebank and Chillagoe where a time trial will be held mid-race.
The toughest stages are yet to come as the peloton sets its compass in a Northerly direction towards Mount Mulligan across the punishing corrugated roads of lower Cape York.
Dusty, humid and unbearably hot the further north the race goes, it’s then onward to Laura, in the heart of the mythical Quinkan country, which is steeped in Aboriginal culture.
For those still in the hunt for G.C. honours the 142 kilometre stage from Laura to the Far North Coast at Cooktown via the ‘croc attack country’ of Lakefield National Park, might be the final chance to make a serious move.
The race’s penultimate stage from Cooktown to Daintree via the legendary CREB track is a feast of pure cross country mountain biking in the midst of some of the most spectacular world heritage listed rainforest on the planet.
Nearly two weeks after it begins, the Crocodile Trophy will finish with a circuit race on magnificent Four Mile Beach in the resort town of Port Douglas.
All up, its 1400 kilometres of punishing riding, featuring a variety of terrain and country unlike any other bike race on the planet!See All Event Posts
