Crocodile Trophy

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Ayton – Cape Tribulation, Time Trial

Lisi Hager (AUT) - Translation by Juliane Wisata (AUT/AUS) / 28.10.2010

Urs Huber wins for the second time

With a win at today's time trial, Urs Huber secured his second Trophy victory in a row. Second and third, as in the overall classification, were Bart Brentjens and Mike Mulkens. Abby McLennan dominated the women's field throughout the entire Crocodile Trophy 2010 and claimed the overall women's classification with a record lead.

Excitement was in the air as the field of riders gathered this morning at 9am for the final showdown. For the first time the 38km long stage from Ayton to Cape Tribulation was raced as a time trial, whereby the athletes started in reverse order of the overall classification. Would Sir Bart with his mighty pedal strokes on the straights be able to challenge his Swiss opponent's place in the sun? Would Urs Huber be able to counter the attacks on the steep ascents? Would Mike Mulkens after two years and 19 stages, respectively, finally be able to claim a Boomerang? Or would the pro on the climbs, Cory Wallace, once more reach for the stars?

But at first those riders, for whom this event had been more fun and adventure than competition, kicked off the time trial, whilst being cheered on by the pros and race leaders. So the first ever female racing team at the Croc, including the experienced adventure racer Sharman Parr (NZL), the triathlete Lauretta Howarth (AUS) and the road racer Maree Robers (AUS); the Belgian rider Kurt Alderweireldt, who had been raising funds for each and every kilometre ridden at the Croc for the Marc Herremans-Foundation; the E-Biker Udo Huber and Klaus Sever from Austria; the previous XC racer from Belgium, Bart Verberckmoes, who has been living with a inserted nuts in his spine since a severe accident; all in all 66 participants from all over the world, between 23 and 60 years old.

Even though Bart Brentjens achieved a lead of 40 seconds over Urs Huber on the first flat kilometres, the Swiss rider seized one second after the other on the nasty uphills in the tropical rainforest of North Queensland. After a time of 1:15.01 the 25-year old titleholder the finish line at Cape Tribulation with 23 seconds lead over “Sir Bart� - and promised right there and then to return to the Croc next year. Third was, as in 2009, the Belgian rider Mike Mulkens.

For the ladies, Abby McLennan (30) finished the Crocodile Trophy first after a consistent performance and with an impressive lead of 7:53 hours over Lauretta Howarth and Nancy Carceres (all AUS). Coming in as third last year and having been talked into participating again by her husband, the 30-year old was ecstatic about her dream coming true. And also Jaan Kirsipuu was happy after his arrival as Masters winner – especially, considering the result of the Estonian delegation overall (the team Rietumu-Delfin won the team-classification).See All Event Posts