Tschellnig takes a superb solo win in Queensland

Cristoph Tschellnig had an absolute blinder today ©Crocodile Trophy/R Stanger

Christoph Tschellnig surprised everyone to become the fourth individual stage winner of the 2010 Crocodile Trophy on stage five in Chillagoe on Saturday. It was a good day for Austrian riders with Philipp Ludescher following Tschellnig across the line. Cory Wallace showed he’s still in the fight following mechanical issues several days ago with third.

Tschellnig surprised even himself as he outsmarted his more experienced rivals with an early, but ultimately successful attack. With the riders battling for overall seeing little threat from the Austrian he was given free reign to make good his brave move.

“I attacked at one kilometre, had five mins at the turning point and was let go [by the other riders]. I had 3 flat tyres on the first day so had no chance at the GC, but today when I tried and was let go,” he explained. “I was lucky when Ludescher tried to catch me I was too far for him to catch me.”

The stage winner was understandably elated with his stage win. “I am very proud, I work 40 hours a week as a fitness trainer, so I am not a professional rider and I beat professional riders [today]. I am a former road racer and have been mountain biking for three years now.

“I think it was the fish from yesterday‟s dinner, I don‟t normally eat that much, but I had three serves!” he added.

Wallace, who finished third, took advantage of an incident-free day to focus on his main objective, the points classification. “I had no flat tyres this stage so that was an advantage. It was very hot, and fast. The main guys [Urs Huber and Bart Brentjens] don’t seem to be worried about us guys anymore so I’m just focusing on points, trying when I can.”

Huber and Brentjens continued their mano-a-mano battle to finish in their seemingly traditional succession, in seventh and eighth respectively. Huber indicated that their close marking of one another is something that is unlikely to change before race end.

“It was very hot, I’m happy,” he said after the stage. “[Brentjens and I are] blocked in, we just wait for one of us to go, and the other follows. I think that this will continue for the following stages.”

Abby McLennan once again crossed the line as the first female home but admitted that she had faced a challenging day in the saddle. “That was a hot stage, it felt so much longer than what it really was.

“The rolling hills and pace was so high. The boys are so much better and faster and stronger than me so it’s such a fight to keep the tempo up, the boys [her husband Scott McLennan and Brendon Skerke] kept me going, pushed me, helped me through.”

After two 140+ kilometre stages, Saturday’s stage offered some respite – in terms of distance, at least – at 100km. However, it will be the shortest stage the riders will face before the 38 kilometre final-day time trial at Cape Tribulation on Thursday.