Stage 1 of the Crocodile Trophy was a 100km marathon from Cairns to Lake Tinaroo via Copperlode Dam and through Dinden Forest. With 2,900m it is one of the hardest climbing stages this year, which will set the tone for a challenging 24th edition of the legendary race.
It had been a muggy and humid day and very hot, said Martin of the team’s day one at the Croc this year. “It was actually raining as we left Cairns and it was really hot, that was incredibly tough, everyone was cramping”, he recounted and said that suddenly, out of nowhere almost, 9km of singletrails appeared at the 40km mark. “At first it felt a bit ‘meh’, but then you really got into a nice flow and it turned out to be an awesome section!”, he said.
At the half-way mark of the race huge storm clouds appeared and brought a welcome cool-down for the front of the peloton, however, then turned into a massive thunderstorm and to contain any risk, about a third of the riders were picked up at the last feedzone and brought into the finish safely by car.
Stage win for Andrew Radcliffe
The massive news today is that Il Pastaio/Rocky Trail Racing Team rider Andrew Radcliffe claimed the A4 category stage win in 06:23:41! What an incredible ride by the four-time Croc finisher and NSW Central Coast mountain biker who at first couldn’t believe he had won the stage!
This is how Andrew recounted his race:
The Croc had another 2 victims today. Robert and I.
It is such a tough race. Average speed of 13.9 km/h says it all. In a race which previously I have averaged 20 km/h over the whole race.
Robert and I rode the back half of the race together through a thunderstorm and wet track after cooking ourselves in 38 degree heat doing some crazy elevation in the ride up to Tinaroo.
Thanks Robert for riding with me.
First ever boomerang at the Croc. I am honored.
Martin Wisata crossed the line exactly an hour earlier in 05:23:38, placing 17th outright and 5th in Amateur 3.This year we are representing in three categories with Robert Wieser in A2 completing the team trio.
All up the 66 racers will have to complete more than 700km and 15,000m of elevation during the eight days of racing through Tropical North Queensland.
Launch of 25th Anniversary edition 2019
For almost a quarter of a century the Crocodile Trophy has challenged racers from all over the World to compete in an ultra-endurance mountain bike race, that has become the most legendary event of all times. It offers an incredibly authentic eight-day Australian adventure and will return to Tropical North Queensland with its 25th Anniversary edition from 12-19 October 2019. The organisers launched the event today by opening up registration and offering a 25% discount off the participation fee for all entries until 25 October 2018.
For detailed race results, please visit www.croctrophy.com/results/
Highlights Stage 1
Croc Stage Plan 2018
- 01 STAGE Cairns – Lake Tinaroo | 89 (100) km/2500 (2900) m
- 02 STAGE Lake Tinaroo – Herberton | 118 km/3450 m
- 03 STAGE Herberton – Herberton | 80 km/2650 m
- 04 STAGE Herberton – Irvinebank | 38 km/1000 m
- 05 STAGE Irvinebank – Skybury | 95.5 km/1200 m
- 06 STAGE Skybury – Skybury | 127 km/1550 m
- 07 STAGE Skybury – Wetherby | 102 km/1350 m
- 08 STAGE “Greg Parr Stage” Wetherby – Port Douglas | 51 (62) km/835 (925) m
LIVE Results
FULL Rider List
Official Race Reports Daily
Croc YouTube Channel
You must be logged in to post a comment.