A YEAR after finishing runner-up, Czech rider Ondrej Fojtik strode the Cape Tribulation beach in triumph secure in the knowledge the 2008 Crocodile Trophy was his.

A YEAR after finishing runner-up, Czech rider Ondrej Fojtik strode the Cape Tribulation beach in triumph secure in the knowledge the 2008 Crocodile Trophy was his.

Fojtik only had to cross the finish line at the end of yesterday’s 48km stage to claim the trophy he vowed to win at the end of last year’s race.

Aided by his VIG+ Racing Team, Fojtik justified his tag as pre-race favourite with a powerhouse display throughout the 1300km mountain bike classic to win by just over seven minutes.

Still dripping after taking a celebratory dip in the ocean, Fojtik struggled to find the words to
describe his achievement.

"It is a great day for me," he said.

"This was my dream. I’m very happy now.

"I think this year was the most difficult Crocodile Trophy for me.

"Naturally I am tired but I’m also very happy."

When asked if he would return to defend his crown, Fojtik was non-committal but his performance during the past 10 days would surely give him the confidence needed for a tilt at back-to-back titles in 2009.

This year’s Croc Trophy will be remembered most for the domination displayed by the Czech riders with Fojtik’s countrymen and team-mates Martin Horak and Tomas Trunschka filling out the minor placings.

From the first stage at Mareeba, VIG+ Racing sent a message it was the team to beat by breaking away from the main peloton early in the ride.

It was a routine repeated throughout the 2008 Croc Trophy with fourth-place getter, Australia’s Craig Gordon, conceding the
Czech riders formed a formidable combination.

"To race against a strong team like that over 10 days is very hard," the former world 24-hour mountain bike champion said.

"They were great and took it up right from the start."

Competing in his first Croc Trophy, Gordon said the event deserved its fearsome reputation.

"It was probably harder than what I expected," he said.

"I wasn’t expecting the sand to be like it was and all the bull dust.

"I struggled with that at the start and was all over the shop those first few days but it was kind of a learning period and after a while I found my groove."

TOP FIVE: 1 Ondrej Fojtik (CZE), 2 Martin Horak (CZE), 3 Tomas Trunschka (CZE), Craig Gordon (AUS), Nicolas Vermeulen (BEL).

Share this article