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Stage 12 - October 30: Cooktown - Daintree, 139 km
Rocking in the rain forest
By Christi Valentine-Anderson
The Daintree finally arrived and not a minute too soon! Dream Team's Leader Elli Rocked in the Rain Forrest and over the 40% climbs to take the stage seemingly with ease. Elli has now won 5 stages and the points jersey as well as finishing an impressive third overall in his second Crocodile Trophy. Just after the stage the feather weight Italian went on a boat cruise to see the Crocodiles that live in the local rivers.
The Daintree's severe nature suited the seasoned cyclist well. He commented that he only had to walk up one climb and that was the second last one with a gradient of over 35 %. After 1650 km this stage saw many many of the peloton starting on the back foot, but not Alberto Elli. Truly the mark of an outstanding Grande Tour rider, this gritty man rode into strength and form. "It's a pity the race isn't a few more days of this type of riding." Elli said. I am sure there were few who shared his desires.
The Big Dream Team American, Large and the gutsy Belgian, Moerman rolled over the course mostly together. They compared notes as they passed the final day of suffering as a Dream Team Duet. The duo split up at the 80km point. Large apparently looked over his shoulder to see no one there, so he just kept grinding away in the "go no where" gear for the rest of the stage. Johnson picked up Dream Team mechanic O'Grady at the final feed and they crossed the line together. O'Grady had his usual 20 minute before the start word that he "could ride if he wanted to." Not really ideal preparation for this Queen stage of the 2004 Crocodile Trophy.
Large commented that even though he suffered at the hands of the Daintree, "It was clearly the most gratifying and interesting stage of this entire epic. If there was more real mountain biking this race would be much more appealing." When asked would he do it again he said, "I would only consider it if there were significant changes to the course and the time of year. Conceptually, a mountain bike stage race in Australia is appealing, but this needs a fair amount of tweaking."
Elli said he would return as a director sportif... and there have been a few hands in the air for staff positions... but really it is too early to ask these questions. Let the bottoms heal and the memories fade a little, then ask and I think all would be slightly more keen.
Marzio Deho, won the Crocodile Trophy Lite competition by putting 90 minutes into his closest rival on this penultimate stage. Deho for the first time since Darwin, looked happy and relatively fresh at the finish!
Photography
Images by Christi Valentine-Anderson
- Four of the Dream Team - Marzio Deho, Darren O'Grady, Alberto Elli and Jurgen Van de Walle
- Large-Erik Johnson - the only American in Croc Trophy was still willing to perform for the camera.... only 110 degrees that day!
- That's some tan!
- Alberto Elli shows off the results of the Crocodile Trophy Weight Loss Plan. Eat your heart out, Jenny Craig!
- Elli popping the sparkling in Burketown
- Shower in Imooya
- Oakley better not see this one
- Large makes it to Cook Town - yes there is still a pulse.
