The Crocodile Trophy

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Stevens Wins Brutal Stage 9

John-Michael Flynn / 26.10.2005

Racing in the hottest temperatures yet experienced in the Crocodile Trophy of 2005 as the mercury hit 42 degrees (with unconfirmed reports as some checkpoints as high as 50 degrees!), Belgian Christophe Stevens today out-survived his rivals to celebrate a second stage victory for the event.The 31 year old, who was almost forced to withdraw from the race two days ago with a severely bruised hand following a crash, showed few ill effects on today’s stage. A result perhaps of his decision not to go all-out in yesterday’s time trial.

“I tried my luck and I was gone,� Stevens said of his stage victory.

“It was an easy stage win.�

Today, the heat and the suffering arrived in unison as the Crocodile Trophy lived up to its reputation as the world’s toughest off-road cycling event.

But it was those at the rear end of the field, not the front, whose stories told the tale.

Veteran Danish cyclist Ejnar Fausing, who has spent the past nine days providing support to the sole female competitor in the race, Astrid Boehm, was forced to retire after sustaining a suspected broken shoulder.

“We think the shoulder is broken,� race doctor Stephan Prettin said.

“We flew him to Bellevue Station, then we called the Queensland Emergency Services rescue team who flew him to Cairns.�

Fausing’s compatriot, who fought on gallantly to the finish line, in a time of 8 hours and 47 minutes was clearly shocked by the injury forced withdrawal of the team-mate who has supported her all the way.

“A friend of mine crashed, broke his shoulder, so it has not been a good day,� a devastated Astrid Boehm said.

“But I made it to the finish line.�

“I was racing, I stayed with him for forty five minutes, then after that I stayed with another guy who was not feeling very good.
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