The Crocodile Trophy

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Croc Trophy Riders Hit The Trail

John-Michael Flynn / 16.10.2005

Ultra-marathon cyclists preparing to compete in what is dubbed ‘the toughest mountain bike stage race on the planet’, The Crocodile Trophy, today enjoyed their first taste of the searing heat in Australia’s Far North during a familiarization ride.

Among them were the two German riders, Kai Hundertmark and Jens Zemke, who will play key support roles for Italy’s World Cup Champion Mauro Bettin as he sets out to win the 13 stage epic event in Australia’s remote outback.

“Perhaps I too am crazy,� Kai Hundertmark admitted as he rolled out with a 20 strong bunch of Croc Trophy protagonists on a morning familiarization ride in the rainforest trails around Cairns.

It might have only been a short two hour excursion on the mountain bike, but several cyclists in the group were already experiencing difficulty dealing with the humid hot 34 degree conditions of tropical Australia.

“I have wanted to do this race for quite some years,� the former Deutsche Telekom rider, who now competes in Ironman Triathlon said.

“This year I have been able to fit it in with my schedule and I love
coming to Australia, having raced in the Tour Down Under.�

The familiarization ride was a perfect kick-start for competitors, most of whom are still recovering from jet-lag after travelling from the Northern Hemisphere.

“It’s not so easy to come after thirty hours travelling, now we are relaxed and we have a lot of fun in the next thirteen days,� a rejuvenated Zemke said following the morning social ride

“For me it’s not so easy especially the technical part I mean I was riding many years on the road but not in the cross-country.�

Unlike in previous years, the thirteen stages of the Crocodile Trophy of 2005 are expected to include more ‘pure’ mountain biking. There are also significantly more hills, which should suit Zemke, a former 4 times winner of his national hill climb title.



Meantime, Bettin, the Felt-Shimano team leader, will have little time to acclimatize to Australian conditions before the race begins in Townsville on Tuesday.

His key rival, defending Crocodile Trophy Champion Adam Hansen, firing the first psychological shots at the so-called ‘dream team’.

“I think they’re physically weaker than Elli (Alberto – last year’s dream team leader) but they’re better mountain bikers,� Hansen said.
“I didn’t come here to get second.�

The Crocodile Trophy begins on Tuesday in the Queensland Tropical Capital of Townsville.
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