The Crocodile Trophy
The Title Contenders
John Flynn / 23.10.2007
The contenders in the Crocodile Trophy made their intentions clear at yesterdays pre-race briefing in Australia’s tropical capital of Cairns.Relaxing on a wide open veranda, the largest ever field to assemble for the event listened intently as race supreme Gerhard Schoenbacher described the race route for the 13th staging of this epic event.
No-one was paying closer attention than Dane Michael Borup and Australian Stefan Rucker, who both had chances to win the 2006 edition before straying from the parcours. This year will be a more difficult task for both.
“I know that I am one of the strongest riders and one of the favourites, but I also think that this year there are other riders that are very strong too,� Rucker said.
“Maybe there are better riders than last year, so it will be even harder.!
Borup agreed with Ruckers prediction, knowing he too will be in for more a difficult campaign in his second attempt at the race. “Wide open I would say given Stephens (2006 Champion Christophe) has retired,� he said.
Lurking the background at the race briefing Felt Dream Team leader Mauro Betting will wait until the end of today’s opening stage before making any strong predictions.
“I think after tomorrow I will look and see if my legs are those of a winner,� Bettin said. “My head is feeling for a winner.�
Bettin will be supported by one of the domestiques in the business. Luxembourg’s Benoit Joachim, travelling to Australia to tick the Crocodile Trophy on his life’s to do list. “With road racing everybody asks you to do the Tour de France and I can say ‘yes’, Benoit said. “In mountain biking everybody asks you to do the Crocodile, and if you say ‘yes’, they say, ‘Oh cool’.�
Adding to the solid Australian presence at this year’s event, the Flight Centre Scott team has been boosted by the addition of one of Australia’s top cross country mountain bikers in Nick Both.
His intention is to be a contender for the General Classification. “As a team we’re really hoping to do well and given some of these Euro guys a bit of a run,� Both said.See All Event Posts
