Frendo wins Crocodile Trophy

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For the first time in eight years, an Australian won the Crocodile Trophy. Mark Frendo conquered the oldest and hardest mountain bike stage race in the world and after nine days, 900km and more than 15,000m of elevation. He finished the epic affair in 30:40:17, 12:26 ahead of the Canadian Cory Wallace and 50:41 ahead of Jiri Krivanek from the Czech Republic. Fellow Australian Paul Mashford was fourth and today's stage winner Josef Benetseder finished the 19th Crocodile Trophy in fifth place. Liesbeth Hessens – the fastest woman - finished 21st in the overall classification and took the women's victory ahead of the Italian racers Giordana Sordi and Maria Cristina Prati.

The 19th Crocodile Trophy finished on Sunday on Cooktown's Grassy Hill. The oldest mountain bike stage race in the world had started last Saturday in Cairns and took riders across the Atherton Tablelands to historic mining towns deep in the Australian Outback. The race tracks throughout the nine-day event included singletrack in Smithfield, marathon races through race forests, across Outback Highways and rough mining trails as well as a time trial stage on day seven. Sandy terrain, corrugated roads, narrow and flowy singletrack, gruelling climbs and fast descends – the Crocodile Trophy showcased the best mountain bike trails that Far North Queensland has to offer.

"I'm so happy, it hasn't set in really yet. But it's a big achievement for me, and I'm proud to have claimed a win for Australia after such a long time," said a relieved Frendo at the finish line.  He is the first Australian Crocodile Trophy winner since Adam Hansen in 2004 and 2005.

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The 28-year old had to defend his early race lead over the past few days against none other that the Canadian marathon national champion and Mongolia Challenge winner Cory Wallace, who finished with a gap of more than 12 minutes. He was motivated now to keep racing more, but it was still too early to say if he would be at the start next year.

"I'll be back for sure," Wallace promised instead. "This race is just too much fun. Next year, I'll bring more Canadians – they will love this versatile race track!"

Krivanek finished in third in the overall classification and was happy with his performance. "I'll be back 100% next year as well," the Czech rider agreed with Wallace.

The final stage was won in a finish sprint on the 30% gradient climb to the top of Grassy Hill, again by the Austrian Benetseder. "Today was a tough one – I could almost not get away from Frendo. He still attacked on the last 200m before the finish, but I managed to get ahead again," said Benetseder who had won the Cooktown stage last year and had been keen to repeat his result.