Crocodile Trophy 2011 - Back to roots
... and aiming high – that’s the motto of the legendary MTB stage race in Australia, which will be held for the 17th time this year. After ten days of “Outback pure“, the participants will finish their race for the first time on the “Grassy Hill” in Cooktown.
Crocodile Trophy Cooktown 2010
Even further into the Outback, even more nature and far less civilisation – that’s on the cards for the 17th Crocodile Trophy. Therefore, starting on 18th and running until 27th October, numerous new challenges await the participants of the MTB stage race in Queensland.
The highlight will definitely be the new track arrangements: Starting at the infamous “Lagoon” in Cairns, the race will head towards the Grassy Hill in Cooktown. The historic township in Far North Queensland has already been hosting 13 stages for the Crocodile Trophy in recent years, however, will receive its premiere as the final race destination in 2011.
Between the tropical holiday resort and the picturesque finish line at the foot of a lighthouse are not only ten race stages and 1,200 kilometres of heat, sand and physical exertion. But also the deliberate restriction of civilisation’s conveniences will put the endurance of racing athletes to the test.
“We stay overnight in little villages only twice, for all other stages we set up camp in the bush, rainforest, on rivers or lakes”, says race organiser Gerhard Schönbacher.
Last year’s podium at the start line?
Apart from the new race course with maximum “outback experience” also the competition itself promises to be thrilling: another clash of the first three elite finishers from 2009 and 2010 is very likely.
