Czech cyclist Ondrej Fojtik achieved a life’s dream Wednesday, winning the Crocodile Trophy in the most emphatic fashion possible, with a victory in the penultimate stage from Cooktown to Daintree.

The General Classification of the Crocodile Trophy – as per race tradition – was decided on Wednesday. Thursday’s final stage to Cape Tribulation will not be timed.

Under siege from VIG+ Racing team-mate Martin Horak who attacked as the race ventured past the famous “Lions Den Hotel”, Fojtik was forced to prove once and for all that he was the best rider of the 2008 Outback Classic.

In second place on the General Classification heading into Wednesday’s stage, - five minutes behind Fojtik, Horak won no friends with his Czech team that rallied to support the race leader in his great moment of need.

Breakaway Rider Martin Horak

Photo: John Flynn - Crododile Trophy

Nicknamed “The Ivanator” by his rivals, Czech strongman Ivan Rybarik pulled huge turns to reel in his renegade teammate, assisted also by Tomas Trunschka.

But when the moment of truth came as the race ventured upward on a 20-percent gradient to the legendary Creb Track, Fojtik stepped up to another level.

“I am happy that I win the stage because I think it was the most difficult stage of the Crocodile and for me it’s great satisfaction,” Fojtik said.

“It was most important that I had Ivan and Tomas Trunschka to help today and I thank them so much, for me their help was the real highlight.”

The day wasn’t so kind for third-placed Belgian Nic Vermeulen, who exploded on one of the steeper climbs as the race ventured into one of its most technical sections, the “Zig-Zag Track”, which took riders over a spectacular river crossing at the Roaring Meg.

Vermeulen’s loss was the gain of Australia’s Craig Gordon, who, provide he crossed the finish line in Cape Tribulation tomorrow, will end his race in fourth place on the General Classification.

“That was an awesome day, loved it,” Gordon said.

“It was quite tactical, one of the Czech guys (Horak) went off the front, Ondrej and a few other guys were working to pull him back.

“We caught him before the first big climb.

“Nicolas, on one of the pinches, he just blew and as soon as he dropped off the back, Ondrej just threw it in the gutter and he was gone.”

Just as he did last year, Fojtik rode solo to the finish line to win the epic Daintree stage of the Crocodile Trophy, but not only that, this time he lived up to the promise he made last year in the village of Ayton, when he said “I will come back to win this great race.”

Karen Steurs at the Roaring meg crossing

Photo: John Flynn - Crododile Trophy

In the women’s event Belgian Karen Steurs (Ride For The Stars) put her foot to the floor Wednesday, despite already being 15 minutes ahead of Australia’s Joanne Bennett going into the stage.

Retiring at the end of the race, Steurs was comfortable in the knowledge, the pain experienced during her past six years on the road is almost over.

“The beginning was easy in the group, then it became hilly and I found my own tempo, went great,” Steurs said. “Last time of suffering. Six years I have been cycling and now, the end. I am only biking for fun now. This is very satisfying.”