European Elite Riders gear up for Crocodile Trophy No. 16 – Rocky Trail Entertainment gives away one free entry in Australia

Bart Brentjens returning to take on Urs Huber in 2010

European mountain biking Elder Statesman, former World and Olympic Champion Bart Brentjens confirmed his place at the start-line for the 2010 edition of Australia’s iconic Crocodile Trophy. The great Dutchman, who finished second to Swiss champion Urs Huber in his first attempt at the race 2009, flagged his intention to avenge the defeat at the close of last year’s race, after struggling to acclimatise on the merciless climbs of the opening stage from Cairns to Lake Tinaroo.

Inking a deal with the founder of Trek-Bart Brentjens Racing in March, Crocodile Trophy owner Gerhard Schönbacher confirmed the Netherlands Marathon Champion would once again confront the opening 98 kilometre stage with 3000 metres of climbing and 20% gradients as he attempts to add the Crocodile Trophy to his glittering achievements.

“As an organisation we are both delighted and honored to wel-come Bart Brentjens to the Crocodile Trophy in 2010”, Schönbacher said.

“Bart brings true qualities of a champion to the race with a mix of supreme professionalism, sportsmanship and humility and he will once again be a great example to both the professionals and the amateurs in the Crocodile Trophy of 2010”, he added.

With both the Swiss Huber and the third-placed Belgian Mike Mulkens also confirmed their participation for 2010, the winners podium from 2009 will be present when the race starts in
Australia’s tropical capital of Cairns on October 19th.

In the past few years the Crocodile Trophy also saw some of Australia’s most determined and skilled mountain bikers complete the challenging stage race. Craig Gordon from the Rock Star Racing Team raced in 2008 and after winning one of the most gruelling stages in

Cook Town he finished fourth. Last year, Shane Taylor, now with the Merida Racing Team, completed the adventurous race as 15th overall.

Says Schönbacher, “This year again we are hoping for a strong Australian contingent, and with our event partner Rocky Trail Entertainment, in coming months we are giving away one free entry to the Crocodile Trophy.”

Interested riders can go to the Rocky Trail website www.rockytrailentertainment.com for all details how to qualify and get the chance to enter the race of a life time – for free!

Riders will be in for another hardcore race: Whilst the 2010 race course will mostly mirror the highly acclaimed 2009 route, there will be one key change – the final day will feature a competitive individual time-trial on the gruelling climbs of Australia’s Daintree Rainforest.

“Given the terrain, it is possible that this 38 kilometre time trial will decide the race at the end of ten days and 1200 kilometres of racing”, Schönbacher said.

According to race tradition, when the time trial ends on Thursday October 28th, the overall winner will nominate a rider whose spirit best captures the Crocodile Trophy to lead the peloton onto the beach at Cap Tribulation, where the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest meets Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

For more information, visit www.crocodile-trophy.com or head to www.rockytrailentertainment.com to find out more about the free entry giveaway!

The Stage plan

1. Stage Cairns Lake Tinaroo 98 km / 1250 m elev.
2. Stage Lake Tinaroo Mt. Mulligan 122 km / 1100 m elev.
3. Stage Mt. Mulligan Irvinebank 128 km / 1450 m elev.
4. Stage Irvinebank Chillagoe 162 km / 1280 m elev.
5. Stage Chillagoe Chillagoe 100 km / 850 m elev.
6. Stage Chillagoe Mt. Mulgrave 138 km / 1660 m elev.
7. Stage Mt. Mulgrave Laura 151 km / 1100 m elev.
8. Stage Laura Cooktown 142 km / 1050 m elev.
9. Stage Cooktown Ayton 122 km / 1900 m elev.
10. Stage Ayton (time trial) Cap Tribulation 38 km / 920 m elev.