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Stage 9 - October 27: Dunbar - Moya, 161 km

Reality check

by Christi Valentine- Anderson

After what can only be described as a roll for the Dream Team, with Elli winning stage 7 & 8, there came a reality check in the form of a 150 km stage through deep sand & sharp rocks hidden beneath mountains of bull dust. Waking along the shores of the Mitchell River, following the transfer day consisting of 7 hours hard driving across Queensland's north west outback, the dusty cyclists seemed to have lost what ever rhythm they were sporting.

When the peloton rolled out of camp to begin the 150 km day, there was no chatter in the pack. All that could be heard was the hum of spokes cutting through the fog like bull dust that floated along with the raging head wind air. The 'Crocodile Trophy Lite' program began this morning with all of the cyclists who had abandoned restarting 15 min behind the existing peloton. Included in this Lite group was Dream Team's Belgian, Jurgen Van De Walle as well as the Italian Marzio Deho.

At the first feed it was nothing if not shocking to see Van de Walle and his professional team mate Christophe Stevens already away off the front of the real peloton. They averaged above 33 kph for the first 30 km on knobby tyres, Jurgen's maximum heart rate for the stage was 190 with an average of 159. The pair stayed away for the first three hours of this grueling day, but the price for this effort was dear. Van De Walle hit the wall with 60 km to the finish and Stevens abandoned well before that. It took the Dream Team rider 4 hours to complete the finial 60 kilometers of the day in the 50 degree temperatures.

Deho likewise was not exactly happy to be back in the saddle an climbed off at he second feed. It will be his final stage.

Elli, who never even looked slightly uncomfortable through this hellish stage, had dramas today. He got tangled up with another cyclist who was struggling in the bull dust and deep sand and hit the deck hard. He broke his saddle and suffered a few abrasions. At first, the Dream Team's Big American traded bikes with the Elli, but it was quickly obvious that the dimensions were really out. They then traded saddles. Elli rode on and began to peg back time on Hansen who really felt the heat today.

'Large' the American then joined by The Dream Team's other Belgian Moerman was trying to "jerry rig" the broken seat in order to finish the stage. Moerman who is the Top Mechanic on T-Mobile tried zip ties and duck tape first but was really struggling to get the strength in the rigging. Moerman was actually carrying these items and together with Johnson's Leatherman able to create a fairly comprehensive work station in the dessert. With the 77 kg cyclist riding hard through the deep stuff it would take quite a powerful fix to hold for the rest of the stage.

Dream Team manager Anderson got word of the technical problem and sent a replacement saddle back to the pair on the neutral support motorbike. The bike was soon ready to roll again and the big guy rode the repaired bike to the finish without further drama. Moerman also finished the stage without further issue but did suffer a bit in the oppressive heat.

Dream Team's leader Alberto Elli finished third today behind a Czech rider who attacked when Elli was still down and Adam Hansen who seemed to wait for Elli before finally riding on. The 40 year old Italian was chirpy and animated at the finish whereas the young Australian was on his knees. Tomorrow we will get a read on just how much this ride through Australia's sand pit really hurt Hansen. Watch for Elli's attack.

Incidentally Nathalie (wife of Van de Walle) nearly stepped on a yellow bellied Black Snake while opening the Gates through Dunbar Station.

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