Tomas Trunschka took a hard-fought stage win on Thursday — his second in three days — to keep the Czech team VIG+ Racing atop the leaderboard in the 2008 Crocodile Trophy.

The Czechs attacked early in the 122km stage from the rainforest of Koombooloomba Dam to the outback cattle station at Gunnawarra Lagoon. Martin Horak got the ball rolling when the lead bunch entered the mountainous, technical powerline track, which has claimed many victims in this race.

2008 Crocodile Trophy, stage 3: Eric Vanderaerde on foot.

Photo: courtesy

Belgian Nic Vermeulen (Team Lingier) and Australian solo entrant Craig Gordon kept a close eye on overall leader Ondrej Fojtik (VIG+ Racing), and at the end of the steep, rocky climbs and daring descents just four riders remained in the hunt — Gordon, Vermeulen, Fojtik and Trunschka.

The Czechs had the advantage, and a series of attacks erupted on the dead-straight red dirt road to Gunnawarra Lagoon. Gordon fought to stay in contention and Vermeulen gave it everything as Trunschka and Fojtik took turns launching themselves off the front, eventually finishing one-two on the day.

“It was hot, very hot, but nice track; with the Czech team it is difficult,” said Vermeulen, who finished third. “On the technical I’m maybe the best. Then for the finish is one against three Czechs. The Australian was good but he could just follow.”

2008 Crocodile Trophy, stage 3: Race leader Jo Bennett and Karen Steurs.

Photo: courtesy

Gordon, who finished fourth, called it “a hard day, a little bit disappointing,” adding, “The Czechs look like they’ve got this race sewn up. They’ve got a strong team and there’s quite a few guys there working. Very, very strong. “

As for Trunschka, he said the finale “was very fast.”

“I am happy to be the winner,” he said. “It’s very special for us because the target for us, for our team, our target is to win this race and to have people in the first three places. We can say after the fifth stage who will be the leader of us three guys — myself, Horak and Fojtik.”

Meanwhile, Australia’s Jo Bennett (Merida Flight Centre) leads the women’s race, outsprinting Belgian Karen Steurs to win stage three.

“We were together until the finish today and Tim was a big help,” Jo Bennett said. “Karen and I had a sprint and I managed to get the win, which was great, but there’s still a long way to go and she’s very strong.”