Philipp Ludescher wins boomerang at Crocodile Trophy
While Philipp Ludescher had technically already won the fourth of 10 stages of the Crocodile Trophy, his victory in Wednesday’s stage nine was much more satisfying. The Austrian won last Friday’s stage
in the Elite Men’s category, but Jaan Kirsipuu of the M2 category was the first across the finish line and earned the boomerang awarded at the end of each stage at the event. Ludescher, who has been out of the fight for a podium finish since suffering mechanical
problems in the early stages, can go home happy with a boomerang of his own for his win on Wednesday.
"I picked the tightest line in the last sandy corner before the finish line and was able to brazen it out," said Ludescher.
The ninth stage of the Australian mountain-bike race was changed at the last minute to accommodate an unexpected high water level. The intended 124km route was shortened to eight laps of a 10km circuit
in Ayton and the planned 700m of climbing were eliminated.
"The Bloomfield River's water levels are extremely high this year. To cross it would be totally irresponsible," said race organiser Gerhard Schönbacher.
Schönbacher has had a demanding race and has proven himself a masterful manager in his handling of a series of mudslides and broken-down cars and the death of a rider. The latest incident was the loss
of Austrian Christoph Sokoll to a broken collarbone after crashing in Wednesday’s stage.
The top nine riders in the general classification were the first seven to finish the stage. Ludescher won the sprint ahead of Allan Oras, with Cory Wallace one second behind.
"I can't do more than try hard and give my best,” said Wallace. “But the climbs were too short for me today and sprinting is not one of my biggest strengths. Maybe I'll have more luck tomorrow.”
The top three riders overall were the next across the line after the leading trio. Triple stage winner Bart Brentjens finished the stage in fourth, 41 second behind the winner, while Mike Mulkens and race
leader Urs Huber followed within two second of Brentjens.
"Today I began to notice that I'm tired,” said Huber. “But if nothing happens, my time gap should be enough," said the Swiss rider, hopeful for a second Trophy victory.
The 16th edition of the Crocodile Trophy will end with a 38km long time-trial on Thursday and Huber does indeed have enough of a time gap that he shouldn’t have to struggle in the 10th stage.
He had a broken spoke in the ninth, but that didn’t stop him from finishing on the heels of second-place overall Brentjens. He's just under five minutes ahead of second-place Brentjens going into the final stage.
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