Croc Trophy

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An interview with one of the elite competitors to follow soon.

This guy recently placed fourth at the Scott and should have a massive story.

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Yes, I finally got around to it.

Shane Taylor Croc Trophy 2009 Elite Competitor - The Definitive Interview.

On completion of the Scott24 and placing fourth in solo for the second year running Shane traveled to North QLD for the stage race commonly referred to as the Croc. Months and months earlier Shane won the entry into the Croc through an online popularity poll run by Rocky Trail. I caught up with him a week after completing the Croc, this is his story.

Shane what were some of the highs & lows of this grueling event?
Actually to be honest the race start was a bit of a low. Crowding around at the start line I was feeling very isolated given that 90% of the competitors were conversing in foreign languages and that I had no idea about what to expect for the race. In hindsight I took that first day a little too easy and should have made up a whole lot more time but I just wanted to make sure I could get through the 10 days at that point. The stick in the derailleur incident was the other major low of the race as I was just starting to dream of top 10 finishes and good overall results when I was suddenly faced with a potentially race ending incident. A good example of how the Croc bashes you around mentally as much as physically.
Lots and lots of highs though, one of which I'll get to later, but from purely a riding perspective Bart Brentjens' ride in stage 5 was one of the most impressive displays of cycling I have been privileged to witness. The stage was a 100km road smash. 50kms out to the depot, turn around and the same 50kms back to the finish on a relatively flat road. I was in the second group motoring along at about 40-45kph when we passed Bart repairing a puncture on the side of the road 20kms in. I was taking my turn at the front at that point when one of the other Aussies in the group offered the following "Tails mate, just hold up a bit because he's going to come back and when he does he's going to be going supersonic". The media vehicle came past a minute or so later and John hung out the window and said "Bart's going to catch you guys in a minute.....and he's moving pretty quick". Sure enough, moments later a red flash came streaking past on our right as Bart, head down bum up, blew us all away. A few guys tried in vain to jump onto his wheel and nearly tore themselves in half in the process. Once he had disappeared in a cloud of dust we settled back down in a rhythm and by the time the lead group passed us coming back the other way just prior to the halfway turnaround Bart was back in front again pacing the group. He then won the stage in a sprint finish as if to prove a point. Simply Incredible.

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