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11th Crocodile Trophy - October 18-30, 2005
Felt Dream Team diary
More flat tyres and some local hospitality
Stage 9 - October 26: Chillagoe - Mt. Mulgrave, 125 km
The dream team rolled into Mount Mulgrave station not exactly understanding that you have to close the gates when passing through the cattle property, Mauro Bettin being the chief offender nearly released several hundred weaner calfs from the Mount Mulgrave Homestead.
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The team's been quietly disappointed that the stages, aside from Koombooloomba (where we had disappointing technical problems) haven't been overly technical. This was the first stage that represented somewhat of a technical challenge. Those challenges came in the form of high rivers with fast moving water which nearly saw Hundertmarck tumble downstream, and the finish into the Mitchell river, which actually saw me swept away in the current. Zemke sat in the campsite contemplating the next four stages which would surely test him even further, and as he could no longer stand the thought of it, he simply fell asleep in his chair.
The Felt-Shimano Dream Team was visited by locals Luke and Leon Kingsley on horseback and joined by Beverly and Howard Kingsley, the owners of Mount Mulgrave Station, for a bottle of Coopers beer. Bettin commented after stage 9 that Hansen had clearly improved his riding as he wasn't able to shake him free - something he thought he might be able to do during the somewhat technical parts of the stage. David Wood had a long day in the saddle but still arrived in camp ready to tweak bikes and be as much team support as possible. Wood is rapidly becoming a spare parts donor as no team support for equipment on stage is allowed in the Crocodile Trophy.
For the first time Bettin indicated he was feeling confident that he'd be moving up and actually challenging for the overall, which has always been his objective for the Crocodile Trophy.
Stage 10 - October 27: Mt. Mulgrave - Laura, 138 km
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Today saw Mauro Bettin step up to second place in the overall classification. Clearly Bettin is right on target and knows that the Cooktown stage will be critical tomorrow, if for no other reason than to demonstrate to Adam Hansen he is a serious threat to the Australian.
Today Mauro rode a very smart race, allowing Hansen to drive away on the front as is typical of the young Australian powerhouse and then work him over in the sprint. Bettin commented again that he was happy with today's ride and he showed no signs of fatigue or tension in his legs.
But that's not to say there were no dramas for the team today.
Hundertmarck really suffered for the first time; he said the dust was choking him, his eyes were bloodshot and he came into camp sporting what looked like a dirt Mohawk. 'Large Johnson' hit a similar wall with 20 kilometres to go - he basically ran out of water and suffered in the blazing sun and bulldust. When Large entered the camp he couldn't speak for almost an hour and just sat in the shade sweating.
Jens Zemke, in dramatic contrast rolled into the camp looking as always like he is, as always, dealing with the hardest challenge of his life, but not suffering. At the third feed station today, after feeding Wood, who was the final team rider to arrive, I overtook Wood when over the dulcet tones of the radio, I heard him yell out and saw him waving his arms. When I stopped he told me that I had a flat tyre, of which I was unaware. He went so far as to offer to help me change the wheel but I didn't think it was fair for him to take 20-30 minutes of hot, heavy labour in the middle of a 148 kilometre stage, so I limped back into the feed zone on three wheels.
At this point the top sponsors of the Coconuts immediately went into action, and within 20 minutes they had the old tyre off and the new one remounted - I was ready to roll out to the fourth feed. It was a real rescue and one that I'll be repaying in coldies tonight at the Laura Pub. When looking for the proper tools to change this wheel, we realised that Wood could be stranded in any part of the outback for months as he is more than equipped with tools, provisions and spare parts. The man carries a machete, a hacksaw and enough food to impress the likes of Robinson Crusoe.
Well, tomorrow will tell the tale. I'm sure Bettin will be in bed early tonight and dreaming of where he'll place the big mounted crocodile he's planning to take home from the Crocodile Trophy.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Christi Valentine-Anderson
- Mauro Bettin's now in second and he's feeling confident
- Bull dust doesn't stick to scar tissue!
- Coconuts to the rescue!
- Dr Nico trades his surgical gloves for a pair of rubber ones
- The Dream Team after stage 10 ...a sleepy afternoon indeed
- Top sponsor of the Coconuts comes to rescue the Dream Team to change the flat on the team ute
- Zemke struggles to maintain consciousness after a gruelling stage 9
