Crocodile Trophy 2011

October 2011

Considered the hardest, longest and most adventurous mountain bike race in the world, the Crocodile Trophy takes place across some of the most spectacular regions of Far North Queensland, including Cairns, Tablelands and Cooktown.

The race is a great feat of strength, courage and commitment as riders cycle more than 1200kms in ten days, taking in the unique and breathtaking sites of regional Queensland.

View the Crocodile Trophy race map and GPS tracks

Photo: Sportograf

The Race Stages

1. Stage Cairns - Lake Tinaroo l  102 km/1800 m  l  Tue. 18. Oct.
2. Stage Lake Tinaroo - Koombooloomba Dam l 121 km/1500 m l Wed. 19. Oct.
3. Stage Koombooloomba - Gunnawarra Lagoon l 115 km/1600 m l Thu. 20. Oct.
4. Stage Gunnawarra Lagoon - Irvinebank l 106 km/1200 m  l  Fri, 21. Oct.
5. Stage Irvinebank - Mt. Mulligan l  105 km/1200 m  l  Sat. 22. Oct.
6. Stage Mt. Mulligan - Mt. Mulgrave l 189 km/2000 m  l Sun. 23. Oct.
7. Stage Mt. Mulgrave - Laura l 151 km/1100 m l Mon. 24. Oct.
8. Stage Laura - Kalpowar l 89 km/200 m l Tue. 25. Oct.
9. Stage Kalpowar - Munburra  l  148 km/600 m  l Wed. 26. Oct.
10. Stage Munburra - Cooktown l 124 km/900 m  l  Thu. 27. Oct.

Subaru Marathon MTB.com team

Mike Blewitt Graeme Arnott Justin 'Maddog' Morris

Mike Blewitt
Age: 29
Nationality: Australian

Profile: Mike has spent two-thirds of his life pedalling a mountain bike. Not the whole time mind you, but he has assembled significant experience riding and racing all over the world to considerable success.

A two-time Australian representative at the UCI marathon World Championships Mike will again target qualification for that event this year. He’ll aim to do so with another top-ten finish at a European marathon or stage race as he tackles a busy calendar of racing on that continent through the middle half of the year.

However, his first major challenge will be the ABSA Cape Epic in South Africa, which he will race for the first time in March alongside MarathonMTB.com teammate Will Hayter.

Read Mike’s daily race updates from the Croc Trophy

Graeme Arnott
Age: 34
Nationality: Australian

Profile: After just four years of what he describes as ‘serious’ mountain biking, Graeme has already built himself a formidable resume of results in the sport of endurance off-road cycling.

In 2010 Graeme claimed victory in the 100-mile event at the Highland Fling. That result marked a steady progression through the endurance mountain bike ranks that has also seen him claim podium results at both Australian and European marathon and stage-race events.

Graeme is expected to race a busy schedule of Australian marathon events throughout the 2011 season. He is also expected to join MarathonMTB.com teammates Josh Keep and Mike Blewitt in Europe, where he will stand a good chance of qualifying for the XCM World Championships in Italy.

Justin Morris
Age: 24
Nationality: Australian

Profile: His nickname, ‘Maddog’, belies an affable personality but does help to explain his modus operandi on the bike.

Justin spent the 2010 racing season in the United States competing on the road for professional development squad Team Type 1, yet he confesses that the Highland Fling was the hardest race he competed in all year.

The longer format off-road events may lend themselves to his road-oriented skill set, but he is a fierce competitor with over a decade of experience mountain-biking.

Despite his recent overseas adventures Justin will remain in Australia this year and will target a strong performance in the DirtWorks 100km Classic.

The Croc Trophy boys lined up, pumped and ready to get started.

Visit the Crocodile Trophy website