It may have come by way of a gift from the Czech Republic, but whatever the case, consistent effort was rewarded again today at the Crocodile Trophy as Belgium’s Nic Vermeulen claimed victory in the race’s signature stage from Mount Mulgrave to Laura.

Vermeulen, who has toiled long and hard against the Czech powerhouse VIG+ Racing over the past seven days,was in an impossible position once again, outnumberd 4-1 by the Czechs in the final kilometers of Monday’s stage.

The gutsy Belgian from Team Lingier, who has earned respect all-round at this race, found himself in the “survivors” group, not a breakaway as such, containing race leader Ondrej Fojtik and his team-mates Tomas Trunschka, Ivan Rybarik and Martin Horak. In another display of sportsmanship, the Czechs decided to honour their opponent, opting not to attack Vermeulen in the final kilometres as the race headed into Laura.

“I think it was a gift from the Czech team, Vermeulen admitted at stage end. “The team are too strong for me, I can attack but they ride four against me, but I’m happy with the stage win. Thank you.”

Confronted with a 150km journey, on roads littered with bull-dust pits and long patches of soft sand, many riders suffered as the fierce elements helped rip apart the General Classification.

One to feel the heat was Australia’s solo entrant Craig Gordon, who fought doggedly, above his weight, in a stage where pure power counted for much.

“I hate that bulldust, I disappeared into it, gone,” Gordon said as he wiped dust from his eyes.

“I struggled today with the bulldust and the sand, maybe I’ve just gotta get psyched and be on it.

“I’m not gonna give up, but certainly days like today just don’t favour me at all.”

Bennett Extends Lead in Women’s Race
In the women’s event, Merida Flight Centre’s Jo Bennett revealed her trump card Monday, as she displayed her superior sand riding skills. Bennett was one of only a handful of cyclists in the event to ride the deep soft sand patches of the Palmer River end-to-end.

It was at the Palmer where Bennett edged away from her G.C. rival Karen Steurs of Belgium. Steurs clearly struggled in the bull-dust pits and sand patches, where pure power is required to turn over the pedals.

Bennett revealed at stage end, that she had been training back home in Western Australia, with this stage of the Crocodile Trophy in mind.

“I actually don’t mind the sand it’s one of my stronger points and I know it’s probably one of Karen’s weaker points,” Bennett said as her team celebrated at race end.

The entire Merida Flight Centre men’s team dropped back to assist the women’s race leader and the move reaped rewards as Bennett extended her lead by several minutes.

“I just put it in a bigger gear and pushed it through as hard as I could,” Bennett said.

“We have a little bit of sand back home and I’ve been practicing, I knew there was a bit out here.”

Steurs also had some strong support today in the form of legendary Belgian Eric Vanderaerden, but even with the help of the former Paris-Roubaix champion, she struggled to maintain momentum on the constantly changing road surface.

Mountain climbs on the next two stages are expected to favour the Belgian, but Bennett is feeling hungry for success.

“I’ll push as hard as I can, I want this thing,” Bennett said.