The release of the 2011 Crocodile Trophy route has been met with both relief and trepidation amongst the Subaru/MarathonMTB.com Team. The Crocodile Trophy has morphed as a Mountain Bike Stage Race since its inception.
Stage 1: Cairns – Lake Tinaroo. 98km/1800m
Stage 2: Lake Tinaroo – Koombooloomba Dam. 106km/1100mm
Stage 3: Koombooloomba – Gunnawarra Lagoon. 115km/1700m
Stage 4: Gunnawarra Lagoon – Irvinebank. 106km/1200m
Stage 5: Irvinebank – Mt. Mulligan. 110km/1200m
Stage 6: Mt. Mulligan – Mt. Mulgrave. 189km/2000m
Stage 7: Mt Mulgrave – Laura. 151km/1100m
Stage 8: Laura – Kalpowar. 89km/200m
Stage 9: Kalpowar – Munburra. 148km/600m
Stage 10: Munburra – Cooktown. 99km/900m
Initial responses from Subaru/MarathonMTB.com riders Graeme Arnott, Justin Morris (recent Team Type 1 signing) and Mike Blewitt are of trepidation. Arnott has had consistent top 10 placings this year, with podium places in the Vets categories. Morris is ranked 4th in the Real Insurance XCM Series, and has had numerous days road racing of late. Blewitt is back from a few months in Europe, and endeavouring to freshen up. Although all three have experience in stage races on or offroad, and a variety of mountain bike marathons – it is well known that ‘the Croc’ is just different. 10 long days without a rest day will wear out even the best riders. Stage 6 and 7, jump out as arduous days, mostly due to their consecutive nature.
Looking over stage distances and vertical gain cannot give you a brief for any race. Much in the way that text is dead thought, a race is not what is on paper. This fails to account for the racers, bunch dynamics, conditions and race circumstances. Any one of the 10 days could hold a decisive point for the General Classification, or any racers personal goals. Later this week we will provide a closer look at the Subaru/MarathonMTB.com riders thoughts on the event, and what their preparations involve.