Crocodile Trophy

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Brentjens Arrives in Croc Country

John Flynn / 19.10.2009

Dutch mountain biking great Bart Brentjens couldn't hide the excitement today as he touched down in Queensland's Tropical North just two days out from the start of Australia's Outback Classic, The Crocodile Trophy.

Returning to the tropical oasis of Cairns, the city that hosted his original World Cup triumph in 1994, the former World and Olympic champion admitted to having "only good memories" of a place that has brought him great success.

"I'm really happy to be here and excited for the Crocodile Trophy," Brentjens said. "I won my first World Cup here, I took the (World Cup series) leader's blue jersey here also and I never gave it away."

The owner of Trek Bart Brentjens Racing admitted to being tired after the marathon flight from Europe. Within 48 hours he'll be backing up for a marathon day in the saddle on the Crocodile Trophy's opening stage from Cairns to Lake Tinaroo, which is slated as the toughest mountain stage in the history of the event.

"I won the (Netherlands) national marathon championship last week, and this year the Crocodile Trophy has fitted perfectly into my training schedule," Brentjens said. "The first days will be hard with a little bit of jetlag and the temperature and heat, but I think I'll be OK."

Brentjens is hoping to continue a tradition of Dutch success at the Crocodile Trophy. His countryman Jaap Viergever still holds the record for the most Crocodile Trophy victories. "It's really famous because a Dutch guy, Jaap Viergever won it four times," Brentjens said. "You can also see the race on Belgian TV and it makes it more famous every year."

Brentjens plans to scout the Crocodile Trophy's opening stage tomorrow before attending the rider presentation, where he'll meet a growing list of contenders for the 2009 Trophy ... See All Event Posts