13th Crocodile Trophy - NE

Australia, October 23-November 1, 2007

Photography

Stage 10 - November 1: Daintree - Cape Tributlation, 32 km

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Images by John Flynn/Cyclingnews.com

• Australia's Greg Featonby descending
• Austrian Gerry Bauer on the road home
• Celebrations for all at race end
• Christophe Desimpelaere leads a bunch through the Daintree
• Finally it is over
• Good friends Stefan Rucker and Marc Herremans
• Il Campioni Mauro Bettin
• Italian Paulo Salvatore Albano enjoying the ride
• Lloyd Newell takes the time to relax
• Marc Herremans and his team accept the honour of crossing the line first
• Marc Herremans at the final drink station
• Marc Herremans enjoys a moment with his team-mates
• Marc Herremans moment of joy
• Marc Herremans with the Crocodile Trophy
• Mauro Bettin and Marc Herremans congratule each other
• Mauro Bettin climbing with ease
• Mauro Bettin leads the guard of honour
• Mauro Bettin pops a mono
• Michael Borup with his bags packed
• Michela Benzoni clearly the strongest woman
• Negotiating the last big gradient
• Ondrej Fojtik and his partner at the race finish
• One final brutal mountain climb on the final day
• Race over for Michael Borup
• Race winner Mauro Bettin ready for the final day
• Radek Sibl cleans his campsite for the last time
• Roman Stastny descendinig
• Stefan Rucker tries out Marc Herreman's hand cycle
• The champion Mauro Bettin
• The Felt Dream Team of Max Becker Benoit Joachim team director Christy Valentine and Mauro Bettin
• The final drink stop
• The men's podium of Stefan Rucker Ondrej Fojtik Mauro Bettin Tim bennett and Michael Borup
• The riders await Marc Herremans
• The riders of the 2007 Crocodile Trophy
• Tim Bennett climbing on one wheel
• Tim Bennett enjoying the final day
• Tim Bennett holds the Australian flag aloft
• Trials and Tribulations as Marc Herremans reaches the finish
• Valentin Zeller at the final creek crossing
• Women's champion Michela Benzoni at the final campsite

Stage 9 - October 31: Cooktown - Daintree, 106 km

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Images by John Flynn/Cyclingnews.com

• Allan Carlsen performed consistently in the Crocodile Trophy.
• An emotional Marc Herremans with Crocodile Trophy supremo Gerhard Schoenbacher
• Australian Matt Huber descending in style
• Australia's Flight Centre team eager to get the Crocodile Trophy over with
• Brett Anderson of Australia
• Ewart van der Puttin concentrates before the stage start.
• Fighting the elements in the Crocodile Trophy
• Greg Featonby crosses the Bloomfield.
• Marc Herremans arrives for today's stage start.
• Marc Herremans is congratulated after reaching the finish line.
• Marc Herremans stops for water ten kilometres from home.
• Marc Herremans strives towards home.
• Marc Herremans with his team-mates
• Mauro Bettin crosses the Roaring Meg.
• Mauro Bettin defending his race lead
• Michael Borup
• Michael Borup carries his bike across the Roaring Meg.
• Michael Borup in obvious pain.
• Ondrej Fojtik crosses the Roaring Meg.
• Ondrej Fojtik en route to a stage victory
• Passing through the basalt country of Black Mountain
• Patric Weidmer on the descent into Wujal Wujal
• Roberto Haegdons
• Rolling out from the Endeavour River in Cooktown
• Roman Stastny in an early breakaway
• Stefan Rucker glances behind to check on his rivals.
• Stefan Rucker rides through grass tree country.
• Sandra Klomp loved the ride through the Daintree.
• Sandra Klomp was one of the early movers.
• Stefan Rucker and Struan Lamont at the stage start in Cooktown
• Stefan Rucker at a Daintree Creek crossing
• Stefan Rucker builds his lead.
• Stefan Rucker makes his move on the climb.
• Struan Lamont crosses the Bloomfield River.
• The Aussies ready to tackle the Daintree
• The Austrians in the Crocodile Trophy pose for the cameras.
• The Bloomfield River is home to saltwater crocodiles.
• Tim Bennett at the river crossing
• Tim Bennett fights his way over the first steep climb.
• Wallace King is one of The Trophy's toughest competitors.

Stage 8 - October 30: Laura - Cooktown, 142 km

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Images by John Flynn/Cyclingnews.com

• The Crocodile Trophy Telstra Countrywide Media Centre.
• Flight Centre's Ryan Hawson survives another stage.
• Women's race leader Michela Benzoni reaches the summit in Cooktown.
• Mauro Bettin gives a wave arriving at the summit of Grassy Hill.
• Triumph for Stefan Rucker.
• Roberto Haegdons doing the bike carry.
• A difficult day for Michael Borup.
• Radek Sibl getting wet.
• Tim Bennett at a rainforest water crossing.
• Mauro Bettin keeps the pace as the lead bunch works together.
• Number one plated Atilla Marton enduring a tough Crocodile Trophy campaign.
• Dennis Van Mill climbing steadily.
• Allen St Pierre on the climb in Lakefield National Park.
• Tim Bennett passes through the feed zone.
• Michael Borup chows down at the feed zone.
• Stage 7 winner Radek Sibl.
• Tim Bennett produced a strong ride.
• Next stop Cooktown.
• Stefan Rucker surging again at the front of the lead group.
• Allan Carlsen and Benoit Joachim look ahead for a rideable line.
• Tim Bennett, Roberto Haegdons and Michael Borup cross the Laura River.
• Roberto Haegdons riding hard in the chase group.
• Ewart Van der Puttin tries to chase down the leaders.
• Race leader Mauro Bettin stays on the pace.
• The lead bunch in the red sand country.
• Stefan Rucker driving the lead bunch.
• Race start.
• Allen Carlsen packs up the Danish camp.

Images by Regina Stanger

• A shattered Marc Herremans finishes stage 8.

Stage 7 - October 29: Mt. Mulgrave - Laura, 148 km

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Images by John Flynn/Cyclingnews.com

• The chase group containing race leader Mauro Bettin.
• the chase group with leader Radek Sibl in the distance.
• The pace begins to lift.
• Allan Carlsen gets help from Dennis Van Mill changing a flat tyre.
• Allen St Pierre almost unrecognisable.
• Australian Greg Featonby cooling off in the Palmer.
• Benoit Joachim at the water crossing.
• Benoit Joachim finally manages a smile.
• Benoit Joachim struggles to repair a flat tyre.
• Cairns cyclist Scott McLennan.
• Christan Segnstbratl of Austria.
• Christophe Herr of Germany doing the bike carry.
• Daniele Avico of Italy at another muddy creek crossing.
• Dry sunburnt country.
• Marc Herremans shows courage
• He is accompanied by Dirk Van Gossumand and Glenn Creynen
• Herremans finishes another stage and puts his mind over his body in order to finish the complete race.
• Freddy Compernolle keeping his bike dry.
• Giovanni Roveri of Italy takes care at the river crossing.
• Jose Ezequiel flies across the Palmer.
• Jose Ezequiel of Spain shows how it's done.
• Kurt Alderweireldt of Belgium crossing the Palmer River.
• Marc Herremans concerned before the start of stage 7.
• Michael Borup leads the group home for second place.
• Philipp Zenklusen crosses the Palmer River.
• Race start across the Mitchell River causeway.
• Radek Sibl gives the fisted salute at the finish line.
• Radek Sibl on his solo move.
• Radek Sibl twenty kilometres from home.
• Rolling out of Mount Mulgrave station.
• Stefan Rucker, Mauro Bettin and Allan Carlsen share a laugh.
• Struan Lamont dashes across the Palmer River.
• Marc Herremans reaches the finish line in stage 7.

Stage 6 - October 28: Chillagoe - Mt. Mulgrave, 120 km

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Images by John Flynn/Cyclingnews.com

• Benoît Joachim crosses the finish line.
• Benoît Joachim on the long lonely road to Mount Mulgrave.
• Benoît Joachim powering towards the finish.
• Blistering heat and dust on the stage to Mount Mulgrave.
• chaos at the feed station.
• Crossing a dry gully.
• Dream Team Director Christi Valentine feeds her boys.
• Eventual stage winner Benoît Joachim stocks up at the feed station.
• Jerry Bauer takes the sprint for second.
• Marc Herremans making quick time during stage six.
• Mark Herremans fights on as the road bakes beneath him.
• Mark Herremans on the road to Mount Mulgrave.
• Mauro Bettin.
• Ondrej Fojtik drives the bunch.
• Ondrej Fojtik takes another turn.
• Paulo Salvatore Albano holding on in the lead bunch.
• Radek Sibl on the front of the bunch.
• Relaxing in the Mitchell River.
• riders cool off in the Mitchell River.
• Riding through the limestone cathedral.
• Roberto Haegdons in a solo breakaway.
• Stacks on the mill with a crash in the bunch at the finish line.
• Stage six race start.
• Stefan Rucker checks over his bike.
• Stefan Rucker dejected after flatting.
• Stefan Rucker fights on to limit the damage.
• Struan Lamont prepares for the day's stage.
• Team Herremans.
• The Gordon Street Cycles boys ready for action.
• The lead bunch approaches Mount Mulgrave.
• The peloton passes by the limestone ridges near Chillagoe.
• The peloton passes through the valley of the anthills.
• Welcome to cattle country.
• Women's race leader Michela Benzoni second from front.

Stage 5 - October 27: Chillagoe - Chillagoe, 140 km

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Images by John Flynn/Cyclingnews.com

• A long hot day even for the Australians.
• Allan Carlsen awaits the start.
• Allen Saint Pierre on a lonely ride.
• Allen St Pierre a long way from the concrete jungle of L.A.
• Allen St Pierre in among the beasts.
• Belgian Freddy Compernolle .
• Benoît Joachim and Nick Both bridging the gap.
• Benoît Joachim and Nick Both chasing down the breakaway.
• Benoît Joachim goes it alone in the chase.
• Bettin's Felt Dream team buddies wait to ride him back onto the bunch.
• Blue skies and searing heat in the outback.
• Blue skies but searing heat..
• Dust covered jerseys a highlight of the day.
• Flight centre cyclist Nick Both gave it everything.
• Gerry Bauer covered in dust after crashing.
• Helmet hair Crocodile Trophy style.
• Marc Herremans is attended to by the race doctor at the finish.
• Marc Herremans powers on to the half way point.
• Mauro Bettin borrows a wheel from Max Becker.
• Mauro Bettin gets mobile again.
• Mauro Bettin takes on water.
• Nick Both flies by at the race start.
• Nick Both .
• No taxis out here as Radek Sible considers his options.
• Polish Cyclist Michalak Slawomir close up.
• Race leader Mauro Bettin relaxed and ready.
• Radek Sibl changes a flat.
• Sandra Klomp was another crash victim.
• The first feed station of the day.
• The peloton passes through cattle country.
• Victory so close Allan St Pierre can almost taste it.
• Wallace King recovers from his crash.
• Women's race leader Mickela Benzoni.

Stage 4 - October 26: Gunnawarra - Chillagoe, 140 km

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Images by John Flynn/Cyclingnews.com

• Nick Both a workhorse today for his team.
• Ondrej Fojtik fights on as his wheel disintegrates.
• Passing by the Almaden cemetary.
• Pleasant scenery on the old railway cutting between Mount Garnett and Chillagoe.
• Preparing for the race start at Gunnawarra Station.
• Race leader Mauro Bettin holds focus.
• Ryan Hawson fights on through the sandy section.
• Stefan Rucker back on the Black top.
• Stefan Rucker cools down.
• Struan Lamont goes full gas for home.
• The lead group spreads out on a dusty gravel road.
• The peloton passes through the land of termite mounds.
• The race to Chillagoe is on.
• The road into Chillagoe.
• Valentin Zeller improving with every day.
• Valentin Zeller on the front of the bunch.
• Women's race leader Michela Benzoni on the front of the bunch with Ewart Van der Puttin.
• A tough day for Tim Bennett with flat tyres and sand to negotiate.
• Benoit Joachim struggles on in need of water.
• Blue sky and searing heat on the road to Chillagoe.
• Cattle stations and Road trains feature here.
• Christophe Desimpelaere riding through grass tree country.
• Dane Allan Carlsen holding his own at the pointy end of the race.
• Early breakaway Ryan Hawson of the Flight Centre team powers up the road.
• Flight Centre's Nick Both and Felt Dream team's Brett Anderson.
• Han Vaalt of The Netherlands barely visible on the dusty road.
• Hawson looks back as the short-lived breakaway nears an end.
• Italian Paulo Salvatore Albano powers through the soft stuff.
• Marc Herremans surviving into a fourth day of the Crocodile Trophy.
• Matt Huber fights on towards Chillagoe.
• Mauro Bettin and the G.C. contenders approach Mount Garnett.
• Mauro Bettin keeps driving the pace up front.
• Mauro Canale of Team Ironbike pulling a turn.
• Michael Borup looking strong shortly before his crash.
• Michael Borup surveys the damage post-stage.
• Michela Benzoni rides the soft sand.

Stage 3 - October 25: Koombooloomba - Gunnawarra, 122 km

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Images by John Flynn/Cyclingnews.com

• Tim Bennett heads downhill.
• Tim Bennett has every reason to be happy.
• The Port Macquarie cyclists loving their Croc Trophy Experience.
• The Australian cyclists fighting on against the Europeans.
• Roman Stastny of the Czech Republic.
• Roberto Haegdons of Belgium.
• Riders sign on ahead of Stage 3.
• Riders roll out on Stage 3.
• Riders cool down any way they can in the hot weather.
• Radek Sibl on the powerlline track.
• Pushing to the summit as the sun beats down.
• Ondrej Fojtik pushes hard.
• There's no easy lines on the rocky slopes.
• Michael Borup gets the legs pumping.
• Mauro Bettin pushing on a steep mountain climb.
• Mark Herremans awaits the stage start.
• Leading woman, Italy's Michela Benzoni.
• Italian Sandra Klomp on Stage 3.
• Italian Paulo Salvatore Albano riding impressively in 2007.
• How good does that feel?
• Gritting teeth on a mamoth climb.
• Flight Centre's Nick Both.
• Flat tyres a feature of the day's racing.
• Ewart Van Der Puttini.
• David Wood talks with Mauro Bettin.
• CSC Mechanic Christophe Desimpelaire.
• Benoit Joachim shows his power.
• Attila Marton in the mountains.
• An impressive ride from Dream Team youngster Brett Anderson.
• Allan Carlsen leads the riders up the powerline track.
• Valentin Zeller surveys the weather.

Stage 2 - October 24: Irvinebank - Koombooloomba, 107 km

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Images by John Flynn/Cyclingnews.com

• A busy day at the drink station.
• Allan Carlsen feeling the heat.
• Anyone for a cold ale.
• Benoit Jaochim and Valentin Zeller.
• Benoit Joachim wearing a mix of dream team and Astana colours.
• Gerald Bauer of the Publicity Powerbike Team.
• Marc Herremans hits the road.
• Mauro Bettin.
• Michael Borup pulled huge turns.
• Ondrej Fojtik driving hard but running low on water.
• Ondrej Fojtik of team Toyota Dolak.
• Radek Sibl powers on the front of the bunch.
• Rear view of the breakaway.
• Riders passing through Herberton.
• Women's race leader Michela benzoni of Italy at the feed station.
• Belgian Ironman triathlete Marc Herremans drives his three-wheel handcycle during stage two.
• Herremans still manages a smile despite the brutally tough conditions.
• The effort shows at the finish as Herremans is totally spent from his eight-hour effort on stage two.
• The race medical team administers a saline drip to aid Herremans' fluid replacement.

Stage 1 - October 23: Mareeba - Irvinebank, 80 km

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Images by John Flynn/Cyclingnews.com

• Australian Peter Dalziel enjoying the Croc Trophy experience.
• Belgian Robbie Lemens on the road into Irvinebank.
• Bohuslav Babor of the Czech Republic slamming the big gears.
• Carlsen tries to hold Bettin's wheel.
• Danish cyclist Allan Carlsen.
• Freddy Compernolle of Belgium powering towards home.
• Italian Mauro Canale of Team Ironbike.
• Italian Paulo Salvatore Albano awaits the start.
• Mauro Bettin
• Mauro Bettin hits the gas on the climbs.
• Mauro Bettin suits up at the race start.
• Michela Benzoni is one of three Italian women in the race.
• No time to waste as the Crocodile Trophy gets underway.
• Paulo Salvatore Albano goes for a fruit fix.
• Riders chow down before hitting the dirt track.
• Spains Hose Ezequiel gets his first taste of Australia.
• Stage one belongs to Mauro Bettin.
• Stefan Rucker leads the three-man breakaway.
• Storm clouds gather over the outback.
• The breakaway group before leaving the bitumen.
• The first of many Croc Trophy feed zones.
• The race start in Mareeba.
• The sun beats down in Far North Queensland.
• Water is a priority on a steamy day.
• Allan Carlsen powering up hill as the camera rolls.
• Australian Dave Webb living his Crocodile Trophy dream.
• Marc Herremans completes a punishing stage one.
• Marc Herremans with Crocodile Trophy supremo Gerhard Schoenbacher.