As has been been publicised, the 2012 Crocodile Trophy route will be markedly different from pervious years. Dropping a day from 10 to 9 days, a circuit XC event to start with, and in general a more ‘mountain bike’ focused event than before may well change the face of the Croc as we know it – potentially for the better. However the chnages do not stop at the course alone. Speaking to the Race Director Gerhard Schoenbacher, the way the race is run and riders are looked after is being completely overhauled.
“The event was probably one of the most difficult ones in the last few years, caused by the unusual bad weather at the beginning and the long stages in the second half of the race.” This is certainly true. Torrential rain caused a neutralised first stage once it was clear the route was impassable. Further from that, stages two, three and four needed to be modified.
“As a result of that our staff hasen’t always been able to cope with that situation which led to delays like sutting up tents and kitchen area on time. We have now decided to change the logostics and the concept of the race 2012. We will have more mountainbike terrain but shorter stages. A few words to the logistics, we will have two teams of staff – one team will always be one day ahead at the next stage finish for the preparation. That means the camp is already setup long before the first rider arrives at the finish – plus the riders will have already pasta at lunch time.”
This will be welcome news to many previous racers, including the Subaru-MarathonMTB.com Team. Coming into a dust bowl of a finsh, with little more than a raw bacon and cheese whitebread sandwich in sight was demoralising. Event staff did what they could – but there is only so much planning that can be done, until the remote and harsh nature of the Far North Queensland outback makes in impact.
“We will not offer personal and bikewash service anymore as we didn‘ t have good experiences this year.” But then, who doesn’t enjoy washing the days painful memories away with the dirt and muck that built up through the agony and the ecstasy?
Subaru-MarathonMTB.com's Arnott sporting the master's jersey. Photo: R. Stanger/Crocodile Trophy
“The first stage will be held in Cairns (Smithfield) on Saturday the 20th October on the former World Cup cross-country circuit. The second stage will start Sunday on the Esplanade in Cairns – same as this year up to Lake Morris and finish on Lake Tinaroo. We will have two overnight stops in Irvinebank – after that we follow the Stannery hill track to Mutchilba – Kinsborough to Mt. Mulligan. The 6th and the 7th stage finishes will be in the Outback far away from civiliastion. The last stage goes from Laura along the traditional and historical “Battle Camp Road“ with some new sections up to the Crocodile Trophy 2012 finish the Grassy Hill in Cooktown.”
So now with the new route being known, and the logistical shift behind it – perhaps the Croc is about to capture the imagination of a few more mountain bike stage racers. more details can be found on the Croc website, and of course MarathonMTB.com will keep you upto date.