Crocodile Trophy 2016: Cairns to Port Douglas / 22 - 29 October 2016 (UCI S1)

From the tropical rain forest to the Aussie bush to the remote Outback to a magnificent beach – this is the Crocodile Trophy 2016
 
For the 22nd time, cyclists from all over the world will compete in the International Crocodile Trophy in October this year. The legendary mountain bike stage race will once again take place in Tropical North Queensland: from the tropical rainforests in and around Cairns to the Atherton bushlands and via the remote Outback to Skybury Coffee Plantation and Wetherby Station, finishing eight days later on the breath-takingly beautiful Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas.
 
When cyclists from all over the world and a notable number of Australian racers will assemble at the start line in Cairns on 22 October, the majority of the rider field of more than 100 men and women will be packed with amateur mountain bikers who every year seek this legendary adventure on their bikes. With the event’s endorsement by the UCI (International Cycling Federation) and the highest S1 status, some of the best marathon and endurance elite athletes in the world are expected to compete for valuable international ranking points and a generous pool of prize money as well.
 
What lies ahead for them all are 600km and almost 11,000vm through the magnificent landscapes of the Cairns and Port Douglas regions. Most internationals will arrive a few days or even weeks ahead to get used to the warm climate and stay longer after the race to recover and enjoy the holiday paradise that is Tropical North Queensland. 
 

Urs Huber to defend Crocodile Trophy title
 
Urs Huber (SUI), last year's Crocodile Trophy winner, will return to race this year. The muliple and current Swiss National Marathon Champion has won the event three times so far (2009, 2010 and 2015). Canadian contender Cory Wallace suffers light injury in Himalayas - event participation under threat. Ruth Corset joins the women's elite race.
 
Urs is, as he says, back to defend his title, "I'm looking forward to be racing at the Crocodile Trophy again this year. This is a very special event that combines so many positive memories for me from previous years and apart from the actual race you often have to improvise to tackle the unforeseen and for me the camp life always makes the Crocodile Trophy definitely one of the biggest adventures in my race calendar. My goal for this trip is clear: I want to repeat my victory from last year!"
 
Huber is definitely one of the best all-rounders in the world, a marathon specialist that has tremendous technical - and tactical skills. The perfect combination for a Crocodile Trophy Champion. 
 
The strongest contender for the 2016 title in the elite men's field was going to be the Canadian Cory Wallace who was en route to be competing for the fifth time since his inaugural Crocodile Trophy race in 2010 where he finished in fifth. Since then he came in fourth in 2012 and in second place twice behind the Australians Mark Frendo in 2013 and Greg Saw in 2014. However, with a reported very rough crash by Cory Wallace in the Himalayas in the week before the event and tight sponsorship commitments, the Canadian's event participation suddenly has become under threat. 
 
With Huber at the start, certainly the competition among the elite men at the Crocodile Trophy and the fight for UCI points and prize money just got hotter - its UCI S1 status is the highest possible that offers the most in terms of both points and prize money pool. With a solid marathon background, Matthias Grick is a strong opponent from Austria, at the start for the second time. The Dutch racer and Benelux Cup winner Bas Peters will be one to watch as well. The Australian representative this year is Sydney's Kane Macri, a seasoned cross-country and marathon racer.  
 

Strong women's field - Australia vs. Europe

Three acclaimed local Australian racers will be competing against a Dutch Olympian and the Belgian National Marathon Champion. Ruth Corset from Townsville is the National Road Champion of 2010 and runner up of 2016 and will be taking on two fellow Queensland riders with Sarah Kaehler from Cairns and Joanne Koy.
 
Sarah Kaehler is a team mate of last year's Crocodile Trophy Champion Sarah White and has been training all year, placing on the top steps of some of the biggest marathon races in Queensland, including the RRR and the Elev8CXM. Joanne Koy is a successful adventure racer who says she loves it because "it's so raw and you're out there in the elements". No doubt their local knowledge will be an advantage.
 
Annemiek van Vleuten competed in the road racing events at the Rio Olympic Games for The Netherlands where she suffered a horrific crash, from which she has recovered well, she says. Van Vleuten is a professional cyclist for Orica GreenEdge (roadcycling women). "I think the why the crocodile trophy would be even more nice to race because it is in the homecountry of my team", she added.
 
Alice Pirard is the Belgian National Marathon Champion and has Crocodile Trophy experience from racing the event in 2012 when she finished in second behind the Australian racer Kate Major.
 
Taste of the Croc - Everyone can be a part of the event!

This year, for the first time, the Cairns MTB Club is offering a public support race - "Taste of the Croc". 

Stages 1+2 as well as 7+8 can be entered separately to the main event as part of the local club's Gravitate Tropical MTB Festival. Registration is open now and anyone can sign up via the Gravitate website: http://gravitate.com.au/taste-of-the-croc/  
 
The legendary Crocodile Trophy mountain bike stage race will once again take place in Tropical North Queensland and take Urs Huber and his elite and amateur fellow racers from all over the world from the tropical rain forests in and around Cairns to the Atherton bush lands and via the remote Outback to Skybury Coffee Plantation and Wetherby Station, finishing eight days later on the breath-takingly beautiful Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas. For daily news, visit www.crocodile-trophy.com