November 10, 2007

Australian Flight Centre racing team at Crodocile Trophy

The Flight Centre MTB Team is all about ambassadorship for the various supporters and their products. The riders must understand this and the importance of professional conduct and representation along the way.

In a sport of limited opportunities, the team provides a platform for riders to better themselves and do their ‘job’. We are grateful for Skroo Turner and Flight Centre’s support of the sport. The creation of the Flight Centre Cycle Epic changed the landscape of mountain biking in recent years and the team program rewards athletes who gain little from their dedication to their sport.

John Flynn’s portrait of a beaming Rhino at the finish of the Laura Cooktown (Stage 8) of the Crocodile Trophy captures the essence of why we all love the sport of mountain biking. The image is also a window into the man himself. Consider this, he has just completed a 142 km stage in 44 degrees after more than 800 km in the legs from the seven previous stages – that’s nine back to back Epics.

When we started planning the 2007/08 team program, I put up the Crocodile Trophy as the key team event for the riders. I needed to inspire the riders beyond their standard fare of XCO and 24hr racing … their participation in turn needed to inspire others.

I selected Dave Wood (FNQ) as Croc Team captain due to his previous experience and success, the outstanding Tim Bennett (WA) and our local man Ryan Hawson (QLD) as the third and rookie member of the squad. Nick Both (NSW) was an eleventh hour wildcard inclusion after the rider of the Epic prize pulled out.

The Crocodile Trophy is a gruelling and highly malleable event. Anything goes and is the prefect illustration of Sod’s Law; “Anything that can go wrong, will—at the worst possible moment”. Event organiser Gerhard Schoenbacher makes no apology for the nature of the Croc. His philosophy is very much about the riders overcoming the relentless repetition and adversity of the race. Personally, I like it, too often organisers reduce the problem solving component of an event.

Planning, preparation and adaption are the call of the day.

The Flight Centre Crocodile Trophy Team is much bigger than the four riders. It included Dave’s girlfriend Mel and myself for the first five days along with his dad, Bill. Rhino’s dad Harold, replaced me on Saturday. It is fantastic to able include family in the adventure.

Our routine includes setting up camp; marquees, chairs and stretchers. When the boys get in, we hand them a cold drink; Nuun, Coke and or Gatorade and cook a pasta meal. The additional meal is essential due to the gaps between supplied catering. The advantage of the support team cannot be under estimated.

During the race, we man the depots (feed zones) and ensure the guys get their preferred hydration source. We received a caution on the second day for feeding outside the depots – I had stupidly given Tim two bottles of Gatorade, not great 50 km’s in on a hot 42 degree 140km stage. It was not ideal for him to go on with insufficient water so we risked the illegal feed and got nailed.

Believe it or not, I did it again the next day and as a result, had to take off like a startled gazelle to catch and replace Tim’s bidon. Easy enough to do as all the bottles are tainted. Adapt on the run … all mixed bottles identified by tape … no more screw ups.

The depots are busy with the lead bunch and chasers flying through. This is where you gauge the boys’ progress by their demeanour. Tim is always business like, the quintessential professional. Nick the Spartan always presents us with a laconic dry wit. Dave and Rhino share an irrepressible positive outlook – Ryan is a far more exuberant character.

This joyous exuberance was always on display as we drove past Rhino. How can you be that bloody happy flogging yourself in 40 plus temperatures and getting your butt belted by the endless corrugations while sucking down volumes of red bull dust? … the man is an enigma.

I spoke to the riders last night to tell them that I personally was very proud of their effort and wish them well in the final competitive stage. For the boys to be doing so well is very exciting considering the calibre of the competition. I am sure the Euros will all be wondering who the heck they are and impressed by the steely determination of the team.

To have Tim in third place on the GC is a result that exceeds my expectations. Nick, Rhino and Dave are all sitting in respectable positions. Being just over two hours off the pace in the team’s category is outstanding considering the quality and talent of the Dream Team. The team is world class!

Notes.

Ryan and Dave undergo daily tests by sports scientists from James Cook University. The boffins are testing a theory concerning the artery thickening as a result of endurance competition. Ryan and Dave are averaging a three kilogram loss per day. They must stack this back on overnight.

Before we all get too excited, another test subject, local hard man 47 year old Peter Dalziel, is a bloke after my own heart. Enjoys a beer, pizza and carries a spare tyre (not to mention he was once a smoker). Pete’s results were very encouraging, either genetics or a product of a misspent youth!

Rhino’s entire Crocodile Trophy data will be available post event thanks to Hayden Brooks at Ozsportzimportz.com and JCU.

One surprising result so far has been the gravitation of the Euro riders to the team support crew. We help where we can. In the hostile environment, it is essential to assist others even though it provides them with an advantage.

And, how about ex special forces and Ironman Marc Herremans contesting the Croc on his hand bike. Let’s not forget his two mates Dirk van Gossum and Glenn Creynen supporting Marc along the way. These blokes are a true testimonial for mateship!












  Results as of Stage 8   General classification   Elite men: 1  Mauro Bettin (Ita) Dream Team 33.29.44
2  Ondrej Fojtik (Cze) Toyota Dolak 25.42
3  Tim Bennett (Aus) The Flight Centre Team 49.23
4  Radoslav Sibl (Cze) Team Ironbike - Bikezone 50.18
5  Michael Borup (Den) Team GHOST - avj.dk 58.18
6  Stefan Rucker (Aut) Elk Haus 1.13.41
7  Joachim Benoit (Lux) Dream Team 1.42.09
8  Attila Marton (Hun) Meditech Sport Club - CIB 2.24.07
9  Brett Anderson (Aus) Trak Cycles 2.31.48
10 Nick Both (Aus) The Flight Centre Team 2.47.55
11 Jacob Agger Troelsen (Den) Team Wonsild  2.52.43
12 Gerald Bauer (Aut) Publicity PowerBike Team 3.22.09
13 Dennis Van Mill (Aus) Team Gordon Street Cycles 3.40.52
14 Ryan Hawson (Aus) The Flight Centre Team 4.16.30
15 Max Becker (Lux) Dream Team 4.22.59
16 Dave Wood (Aus) The Flight Centre Team 4.53.37
17 Roman Stastny (Cze) Rock Machine - Cyklomax 6.07.19
18 Patric Wiedmer (Swi) Wiedmer-RRGLMV 7.30.00
19 Matt Hubber (Aus) 10.05.50
20 Lukas Mraz (Cze) X - SPORTS 10.17.47
21 Daniele Avico (Ita) 12.07.12
22 Dario Cerisara (Ita) Cicli Giorgio 27.27.21
23 Marc Herremans (Bel) Team Heremans 41.54.29
24 Dirk Van Gossum (Bel) Team Heremans                                   
25 Glenn Creynen (Bel) Team Heremans
 
Teams classification elite men:
 
1  Dream Team 106.14.23
2  The Flight Centre Team 4.14.24
3  Team Ironbike 10.23.58
4  Team Gordon Street Cycles 20.48.13
5  Belgian Joven Team_01: 40.18.50
6  Valbuena 43.27.11
7  Team Heremans 117.54.34

  A huge thanks to Flight Centre Ltd, Skroo Turner, Scott, Netti, Incline Sports, Shimano, Jet Black Products, Ozsportzimportz, Gerhard and his team and finally Mel, Bill and Harold.