Stage 3 of the 2015 Crocodile Trophy remained in Atherton, as the racers toured the region on a hilly 80km route. The Swiss Urs Huber scored himself a triple-treat with today’s stage win at Atherton. Huber holds onto his leader’s jersey, increasing his overall race lead ahead of runner up and today’s second place, Nicholas Pettina to over five minutes. Third today was Soren Nissen from Denmark, the Austrian Lukas Islitzer was fourth and Australia’s Brendan Johnston from Canberra finished in fifth and keeps the fastest Australian leader jersey. Sarah White from Cairns again wins the women’s race.
While not event halfway, some riders are already cautiously dreaming of Port Douglas and the finish on the beach. Here are the day’s events through sound bites from the Crocodile Trophy camp:
Urs Huber – 1st Overall
“Today my plan was to ride defensively, because I have a good lead overall by now. There was three of us quickly from the start and then just Nicholas [Pettina] and I. He attacked twice or three times quite hard and I stayed on his wheel. Towards the end he fatigued and suggested to ride across the finish together, but I said, if you attack me that hard, I’ll finish my own race. I was able to break away and make up a bit more time.”
Nicholas Pettina – 2nd Overall
“I had a good race today, but it was the hardest day so far. I love this race, because every day is different. Even during today’s stage the weather kept changing like five times – dry in the beginning, in the rainforest it was really muddy and it was just beautiful there, but really hard to ride. I was able to hang onto Urs Huber. It’s a long challenge and today again he proved how strong he is. I’m happy with my 2nd place and to be on the podium, but after four wet days, I hope it will get a bit drier. This is one tough race, but I enjoy it a lot.”
Sören Nissen – 3rd Overall
“Today took us through some really dense rainforest and we had to run quite a few sections because of the muddy terrain. I tried to stay with the front group and was doing well until the half-way mark, but then my front fork started vibrating and I had to slow down a little bit because I couldn’t risk it breaking. It had to last until the end and it did. I’m ok, I have a good gap to the next rider in the general classification. I’m third overall, but you never know what can happen, it’s still a long way.”
Lukas Islitzer – 6th Overall
“It’s tough to race here [in Australia]. There are no long climbs like we have at home, but short, technical and very steep pinch climbs. Today I went really well, I came in fourth – we were a break-away group of five for a long time and then towards the end I was able to ride away from fifth. The top three were racing in their own league today, they were just too strong. I generally don’t mind the rain, but after a really hot summer in Austria I’m looking forward to some Australian sun now.”
Brendan Johnston – 4th Overall
“That was the toughest day so far, there was a hard climb right at the start and it took us a good 45 minutes to get over that. I was with the break-away group in the beginning [Huber/Pettina] and raced the remaining race with the chasers. I lost some time today, but want to reserve my energy for the remaining days. This is my first time at such a long stage race and it’s all still very new for me.”
Sarah White – 1st Overall
“Today was a long day, it was tough, but it was fun, I loved it. I didn’t mind the muddy conditions and actually just glad that it wasn’t hot and humid.”
Regina Genser – 2nd Overall
“I don’t seem to be finding my rhythm in this race. I have to admit that I’ve been struggling with the weather and terrain conditions the last few days. Everyday I can keep up with Sarah [White] in the beginning quite well, but can’t keep up with her pace. But all in all it’s an amazing experience.”
Kristin Endres – Amateur Women 1st Overall
“I’m just glad that I didn’t have my camera with me today! I would have stopped to take pictures. The sections in the the rainforest were so beautiful, it was a shame we had to race through there, I feel like I couldn’t take it all in! The birds were singing and the vegetation was so new for me – it was just a great feeling to experience today.”
Tomorrow’s stage will likely bring drier conditions, as the Crocodile Trophy camp moves deeper into the Outback and on to Irvinebank, a historic mining town about 80km south-west of Cairns. With 96 km and almost 3000m of elevation it will be the third-longest stage in the tour program.
STAGE 4: TOP RESULTS ELITE MEN:
1. Urs Huber (SUI) #3 // Team Bulls // 3h09:34.8
2. Nicholas Pettina (ITA) #7 // Gruppo Sportivo Forestale // 3h20:41.1 +1:06.3 min
5. Sören Nissen (DEN) #8 // Stevens Racing Team // 3h25:49.8 +6:15.0 min
4. Lukas Islitzer (AUT) #20 // CRAFT – Rocky Mountain Team // 3h31:20.5 +11:45.7 min
2. Brendan Johnston (AUS) #4 // Trek Racing Australia // 3h31:20.9 +11:46.1 min
STAGE 4: TOP RESULTS ELITE WOMEN:
1. Sarah White (AUS) #114 // Astute Financial Racing // 5h05:45.4
2. Regina Genser (GER) #113 // CRAFT – Rocky Mountain Team // 5h27:35.5 +21:50.1 min
OVERALL: TOP RESULTS ELITE MEN:
1. Urs Huber (SUI) #3 // Team Bulls // 10h23:45
2. Nicholas Pettina (ITA) #7 // Gruppo Sportivo Forestale // 10h29:03 +5:18 min
3. Sören Nissen (DEN) #8 // Stevens Racing Team // 10h36:45 +13:00 min
4. Brendan Johnston (AUS) #4 // Trek Racing Australia // 10h43:19 +19:34 min
5. Milton Ramos (ESP) #6 // Intense- Tow Car // 10h49:23 +25:38 min
OVERALL TOP RESULTS ELITE WOMEN:
1. Sarah White (AUS) #114 // Astute Financial Racing // 14h47:55
2. Regina Genser (GER) #113 // CRAFT – Rocky Mountain Team // 15h47:11 +59:16min
Further solo category leaders:
A Women: Kristin Endres (GER) #107 // lakatexpress.de // 15h27:12
A1 Men (U30): Evert Feyaerts (BEL) #30 // 13h27:46
A2 Men (30+): Christian Leschke (GER) #49 // Team Leschi // 11h50:20
A3 Men (40+): Bart Duraj (AUS) #61 // Astute Financial Racing // 12h17:09
A4 Men (50+): Garry James (AUS) #97 // Corry Cycles ACE Racing/Specialised // 12h46:59