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Stage 2 - October 19: Roper Bar - Nathan River, 196 km
Crocs & snakes in the top end
By Christi Valentine-Anderson
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What can be said on a 200 km day in the Northern Territory in late October… just before the wet?
First there was Perry Moerman the Belgian extreme sportsman, he rolled over the line in the sand in Roper Bar with a fever and a badly swollen pelvic lymph gland. Moerman made it to the mandatory first feed at 35 km and promptly climbed off… he decided to live to fight another day.
Jurgen Van de Walle, the other Dream Team Belge flew the red yellow and black flag proudly to arrive only minutes behind Tour leader Adam Hansen. Van de Walle looked after himself today by sitting in every pool of water he came across - even though the final pool contained two crocodiles. Jurgen surmised later that there was not enough meat on his withering frame to entice the prehistoric monsters.
Marzio Deho, the off road specialist was left scratching his head at the third feed and completely stopped communicating with the team support crew when they handed him a piping hot Gatorade to quench his agonizing thirst. He did make a bit of a comeback however, after lagging behind the leaders with stomach cramps for the first half of the long stage. Once Deho started cranking away on his own he made back considerable time to finish third behind his team mate Van de Walle.
Both Van de Walle and Deho where seen comparing "Flangitis" wounds where the stitching in their chamois was beginning to count coup on their bottoms.
The stage ended in Butterfly Springs where the recent bush fires have ravaged the non-luxurious camp site. There was one somewhat murky pool where all were allowed soap free bathing. When Elli jumped in for a post race splash he was joined by a snake, much to his horror. The Italian drama merchant could not identify the serpent when interviewed by the presse ( of which there are three here) over dinner.
Elli did it hard today but still finished an amazing fifth. Alberto was forced to ride softly over the endless corrugations that battered his recovering knee. The fluid that was sitting on top of the knee was slowly working its way south to form a massive lump on his calf. He still seems fine and will surely be a contender by stage 5.
Lars Erik the tall American took 10 hours to complete the stage and nearly lost contact with reality a few times in the final 50 km of today's stage. There were several quotes from the American which were priceless and unprintable but his morale was in good form after he drank a coldy and had a beautiful steak dinner. Once again he referenced mountain biker Chopper Randolf who suggested he join in this caper.
All in all it was an okay day for the Gatorade Dream Team, who will see five riders roll out of the start for, yet another 180 km day tomorrow.
