Crocodile Trophy 2019

This year's Crocodile Trophy MTB stage race begins in Cairns, in Australia's Far North Queensland, on October 12, and celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2019, with riders covering 700km over eight days en route to the finish in Port Douglas on October 19.

Along the way, competitors will experience tropical rainforests and outback mining tracks, with 3,200 metres of climbing on one day alone, on stage 4's 'queen stage' on a 98km circuit around Wondecla.

This year's route celebrates both the race's anniversary and pays homage to Australia, having been designed by seven-time race finisher Brendon Skerke.

While current Lotto Soudal pro rider, former mountain biker and another Cairns local, Adam Hansen, is a former winner, taking the title in 2004 and 2005, the race attracts riders from all walks of life and differing abilities, and will welcome more nationalities than ever this year, with 100 riders from 20 different countries taking to the start line.

Favourites in the elite men's category include Belgium's Stijn Van Boxstael, Lukas Kaufmann (Austria) and the Netherlands' Bart Classens. The elite women's category has only one rider this year – Austria's Angelika Tazreiter – who will nevertheless be up against compatriot Monika Bayer, who competes in the amateur category.

Cyclingnews will have reports and results from each stage of this year's race.