2005 Croc Trophy | Cyclingnews

It's back! The wild country of Far North Queensland will once again play host to the 11th Crocodile Trophy (October 18th to 30th).

The 2005 Crocodile Trophy will feature teams from Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Austria, Denmark and Australia, along with the perennially competitive and truly international Gatorade / Coopers Dream team, which is rumored to be featuring some yet to be revealed big name riders.

In contrast to last year's event which snaked its way from Darwin to Cairns across the Top End, the 2005 Crocodile Trophy will focus exclusively on the magnificent backdrop of Far North Queensland, from the rainforest to the remote outback. "There is no question, last year's Crocodile Trophy was the toughest on record, but that's not saying this year will be necessarilly any easier," Said Crocodile Trophy founder Gerhard Schoenbacher.

Then it's on into the dusty dry outback country of lower Cape York - via Chillagoe, Mount Mulligan and Laura - until the riders reach the coast at Cooktown. The penultimate stage, arguably the most iconic of the race, will take competitors through the Daintree Rainforest along the legendary CREB track. At the end of 1400 brutal kilometres 'The Croc' as it has become known, will reach its conclusion in what can only be described as a tropical paradise, the place where presidents go to play, Four Mile Beach in ritzy Port Douglas!

"From the perspective of the European cyclists who come here for this event, I can assure you the Crocodile Trophy is like nothing they have ever before experienced," said race promoter Gerhard Schoenbacher. "The Danish team for example will come from 10 below zero in Copenhagen, then all of a sudden be racing in 35 to 40 degree heat, in some of the most rugged country on the planet... It is tough." The 'Pedal Tarvisiano' team from deep in Italy's mountainous north is among those returning in 2005, leaving behind the ski season to give its ace rider Paolo Salvatore Albano the support he needs for a tilt at the elusive Croc Trophy title.