Czech cyclist Ondrej Fojtik is one step closer to achieving his dream of winning the Crocodile Trophy after snatching the leaders jersey from the shoulders of teammate Tomas Trunschka during the second stage from Irvinebank to Koombooloomba Dam in tropical North Queensland.

For the second day in succession the Czech VIG+ Racing team put the hammer down in a determined effort to split the race apart. It was a tactic that brought the same reward as previously, a one-two-three podium finish for the Czechs, who are far exceeding pre-race expectations with a thoroughly dominant performance.

Crocodile Trophy: Fojtik takes a pull.

Photo: Courtesy

Fojtik and teammate Ivan Rybarik escaped from the lead bunch at the 50km mark, despite the combined efforts of Australia’s Merida Flight Centre Team, Belgian champion Nicolas Vermeulen and Rockstar Racing’s Craig Gordon, who worked together to limit the damage.

In the end Fojtik gifted the stage win to his teammate, who helped the twice-second Fojtik into
the race lead for the first time.

“For me this is my third time at the Crocodile Trophy and it is the first time I have taken the leader’s jersey, so this is very special for me,” Fojtik said.

Rybarik was equally pleased with claiming his first stage victory at the Crocodile Trophy and the second successive stage win for his team, in what is, so far, a totally dominant performance.

“Yeah it was very good, I went with Ondrej around fifty kilometers and Ondrej said we will go until the finish,” Rybarik said.

Crocodile Trophy: Austria's Jo Bennett leads the women's race.

Photo: Courtesy

“For me this is great and for the team this is perfect. In our country this race is very popular and I think in professional cycling it’s very great when you can win this race overall and win two stages.”

Belgian marathon MTB Champion Nic Vermuelen appears to be running out of ideas, but is hoping
the next stage will be a different story as the race heads onto the famed “Powerline Track” for a stage of pure mountain biking.

“It was the same like yesterday today, the block of the Czech team, there are too many good rid-
ers,” Vermeulen admitted.