Australia’s Hansen Honoured With Stage Win

Fojtik, Steurs Experience Crocodile Trophy Glory
Australia’s Naomi Hansen, the woman who for the past ten days has managed a smile, even in her darkest moments, was handed the ultimate accolade by her fellow Crocodile Trophy combatants today when the race reached its final destination of Cape Tribulation in Tropical North Queensland.

As the peloton rolled onto the beautiful beach, fringed with World Heritage Listed Rainforest, race winner Ondrej Fojtik (VIG+ Racing) steered his bike to one-side, making way for the Coopers Shi-mano Dream Team cyclist, who crossed the finish line in first place to claim the stage winner’s boo-merang.

In his role as leader of the peloton, a humble Fojtik approached Han-sen at today’s final drink station on the road through the Daintree Rainforest to ask if the she would accept the honour of leading the bunch home. Under race rules, the final stage of the race is not timed, and ultimately it is up to the riders to decide how the race ends.
For those who were here in 2007, it brought back memories of the day the peloton stopped to honour Belgian ironman Marc Herremans and it may well be that the “right of passage” on the final stage will be-come a tradition at Australia’s Outback Classic.

“It was amazing, I was just flattered actually when Ondrej came up to me and told me,” Hansen said. “I didn’t know what to say, I was just so grateful and it was just awesome.” Hansen, the Noosa veterinarian who has taken time away from practice to pursue her cycling dreams, finished third in what will be remembered as the strongest women’s contest yet staged at the Crocodile Trophy. The dogfight between eventual winner Karen Steurs of Belgium (Race For The Stars) and Jo Bennett of Australia (Merida Flight Centre) was captivating.

Hansen’s efforts too were worthy of merit, but it was the upbeat Australian’s spirit of adventure, warmth and character around the race campsite that epitomised what the Crocodile Trophy is really about. “It was full of ups and downs, like a roller-coaster,” Hansen said.

“There were days when you felt really great, days when you felt like crying thinking you’re not go-ing to finish and then, in the end, it all came good. “Just amazing to finish, amazing and I’m going to come back next year.”