The 20th Crocodile Trophy is now less than a week away. As is typical for an internationally renowned stage race, quality riders are flooding in from around the world. One of those is Yuki Ikeda, visiting Australia for the first time, just to race his bike.
The Basics
Name: YUKI IKEDA
Age: 34
Home Town: Tokyo, Japan
Team: Topeak Ergon Racing Team USA
Team Bike: Canyon LUX CF 29
Preferred Racing Distance/Discipline: Stage race, 50-100 miler, Moutainbike Marathon
Favourite pre race dinner: Lots of Japanese brown rice! Hoping to find some in Cairns.
Yuki, you’re known to race throughout Japan, but also in North America. How much time each year do you spend in each location?
I used to live in Denver Colorado USA, but I am based in Tokyo Japan now. I spend about 3-4 months in the states (mostly in Colorado) because I still belong to the Topeak Ergon USA team for racing, training and just having fun.
I have been very lucky traveling a lot of places this year like Nepal, Belgium, Germany, South Africa, USA and Canada. Now I get to go to Australia for Crocodile trophy and Sri Lanka for Rumble in the Jungle in November. Traveling and racing all over the world is very exciting and fun!
Will this be your first time racing in Australia? What have you heard about the country?
It will be my very first race in Australia and I am very excited for it. I have heard only good things about Australia such as the beauty of nature, fun trails, good food, and nice people!
The Crocodile Trophy celebrates it’s 20th anniversary this year. What do you know about the race?
I know that the race is very popular, but super tough. From just looking at the website and the course profile, I can tell it will be one of the hardest endurance events I have ever done.
What has attracted you to the Crocodile Trophy this year – the trails, the UCI status, the adventure?
The Crocodile Trophy has always been in my head for years. I have been hearing how fun the race is and how hard the stages are from my friends who participated before like Cory Wallace. Everybody highly recommends this event! Now it has the UCI S1 status. I am certain that the competition level will rise because of that. I like challenges and always seek adventures, so I am sure that this race will meet my expectation. I am so glad to get a chance to race this year and very looking forward to it! I would like to thank all of my sponsors and family to make this happen.
Yuki Ikeda ripping in Revelstoke, B.C., Canada. Photo: John Gibson
Who do you think the main contenders will be?
Cory Wallace. He is one of the toughest riders I know. He has good talent plus works very hard to achieve his goal. I hope I can keep up and have a good battle with him.
What is your approach to the race – will you be attacking or following in the first days?
My plan is just give it all and survive each day. I think recovery is the most important part for stage racing. Eat-Race-Eat-Nap-Eat-Sleep will be my routine during the race.
Beyond racing the Crocodile Trophy, what else are you hoping to experience in Australia?
I always enjoy traveling different countries, experiencing the new culture, food and nature, and meeting new people. I am also looking forward to have a little beach vacation after the hard race!