Crocodile Trophy

It's been run, and won. The 2008 Crocodile Trophy again proving a little too tough to make a sizable impact on. The Merida Flightcentre team had lofty ambitions, coming in with their strongest team. It was a 3 pronged attack in the mens with Nick Both, Adrian Jackson and last years 3rd place getter Tim Bennett looking to improve on 07. In the womans category, Jo Bennett (wife of Tim, but she's far more talented than just to be known as "Tim's wife") looked strong enough to win although her stage racing pedigree was yet to be tested to it's full extent.

Right from the get go it was complete domination from the Czech VIG racing team. We were completely unaware these guys were all pros, let alone having 4 former national champions in their ranks. We all did what we could but knew early on that we had been out gunned. Jo on the other hand was racing superbly and secured the leaders jersey for the first stage, wearing it for the next 7 days. At this point the entire team was racing for Jo, having tried our hand at a stage win or two, Adrian coming closest with an excellent 2nd in stage 6, while Nick continued the tradition of flatting while feeling his best in the lead group during stage 7. We fought tooth and nail but in the end were overrun by weight of numbers. Jo finishing on the 2nd step of the podium. It may be an Australian race but this year Flemish was dominant language in the camp. God Verdomme!

The experience is one to be savoured though, this is like no other race. Camping under the stars, swimming with the fresh water crocs, eating 14 times your weight in bulldust each day. There really is nothing like the Crocodile Trophy.