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Cornwall, a wonderful place for mini break. If you have been considering a bike holiday in Cornwall, this article by Rachel Williams is bound to have you on your way. Cornwall is famous for it's breathtaking scenery, beaches and fantastic mountain biking.

This article titled “Wheel of fortune: sampling a luxury bike mini-break in Cornwall” was written by Rachel Williams, for guardian.co.uk on Monday 3rd October 2011 10.54 UTC

The last time I went cycling in Cornwall I arrived in Penzance late in the day, setting out towards Land’s End as the sun was fading. It was magical, but testing. My panniers – containing, among other things, a laptop – were heavy. Penzance turned out to be at the bottom of a hill. And when, in near darkness, I got to my destination – a hostel in an incredible spot looking straight out to sea – the kitchen had closed and there was nothing cookable, not even a bag of pasta, for sale. I had to get straight back on my bike and pedal a couple of miles to the nearest shop.

I wasn’t that bothered – to my mind it’s all part of the fun. But being pampered and well-fed is also fun, which is why earlier this year I went back to Cornwall to try out an experience at the other end of the spectrum: a luxury package that can be put together for guests at the Scarlet, an award-winning, ultra-chic eco hotel in Mawgan Porth.

The first major boon was the removal of those pesky panniers from the equation. Our group’s bags were whisked away on arrival at Bodmin Parkway station by a local transfer service, before Timo McOvens from Mobius bike hire arrived with a fleet of specialised mountain bikes. Kitted out with helmets and gloves and led by Timo, we set out towards the start of the stunning and hugely popular Camel Trail, plunging on to tracks and lanes full of the smell of damp moss on brick walls.

Once on the trail, we passed through meadows full of yellow irises until the sparkling stream alongside us gradually widened out to become the Camel estuary. From there it was an easy stretch to Padstow, a break for fish, chips and ice cream, and then back on our bikes for the final push: eight miles on some seriously undulating coastal roads.

By the time we got to the Scarlet I was more than a little sweaty and achy, and after 27 miles pedalling could happily have simply sunk into the curves of the modernist rocking chair on my balcony and gazed at the bay, but something even better was waiting: a wood-fired hot tub perched on the cliff top. With waiter service. Slumped in the steaming water with a half of Cornish lager, listening to the waves crashing and examining the bag of freshly gathered seaweed added for its alleged health-giving qualities, I cannot deny I wished all bike rides could end in this fashion.

After a plunge in the reed-filtered freshwater pool it was off to pick dinner from a menu full of exquisitely prepared, locally sourced treats: Helford river scallops, Cornish quail and all manner of fish. I slept soundly in the ridiculously comfortable bed – no creaky bunks here.

I’d kept my bike overnight – the Scarlet provides easily accessible under-cover stands and a drying space for wet gear – and planned a ride the next day, partly to test out the packed lunch the hotel can provide cycling guests. A breakfast of homemade muesli and eggs benedict, followed by a few laps in the indoor infinity pool (with obligatory sea views) and some lounging in the spa, made getting back in the saddle that little bit easier. The lunch – a hefty smoked-salmon sandwich, homemade cookies and a fruit salad – kept me equally happy later on. Later in the afternoon, we transferred to the Scarlet’s nearby sister hotel, the family-friendly Bedruthan Steps, for a thorough massage.

The Scarlet is a fancy hotel with prices to match. What’s really nice about it, though, and why turning up hot and muddy doesn’t feel wrong despite the beautifully designed interiors, is the friendliness of the staff, who happily fussed around, lending me maps and helping me plan routes.

Would I choose a cycling weekend with this level of luxury in future? Personally, if I was going to spend that much money, I’d rather it went on something I couldn’t do on the cheap. But if you had the cash to splash, or were trying to tempt someone less keen on roughing it into a mini-break on two wheels, it’d be a pretty perfect way to start.

• Dinner, bed and breakfast at the Scarlet starts from £255 a night in low season (from February), based on two people sharing a room. In September and October the rate is £350, and in November it’s £310 (special rates apply for the festive period). A return from Paddington to Bodmin Parkway costs from £87 with First Great Western. This trip was funded by Scarlet and First Great Western.

guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010

Published via the Guardian News Feed plugin for WordPress.

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La Ruta is an annual moutain bike race held in Costa Rica in November. This is a four day event which many consider to be one of the toughest mountain bike racing events in the world. The organizers actually bill it as the toughest bike race in the world. These days there are many mtb races which claim to be the toughest or most difficult on the planet. Deciding which, is probably a matter of opinion, but La Ruta de los Conquistadores has to be one of them

La Ruta is one race where competitors get to race across an entire country. The race starts on the Pacific Coast and ends at Carribbean Coast on the otherr isde of the continent. The four day race is named La Ruta de los Conquistadores because it follows the route of the Spanish Conquistadors who first colonised the area in the 1500's.

The 2011 La Ruta was the 19th to be held. The race is usually around 380 kilometres or 240 miles. The riders race over mixed terrain of ashpalt, gravel, four wheel drive roads and singletrack. The route takes competitors through areas of jungle, farms, near active volcanoes, forests and coffee farms. In 2011 the highest point of this fantastic adventure race was the Irazu Volcaon whose peak is at 3,432m of 11,259 feet.

La Ruta always attracts top international competitors as well as local mtb riders. Day 1 is probably the most difficult stage as it is usally the longest and has an elevation gain of around 12,000 feet. There is also a 5.30 pm cut off time after which competitors are disqualified.

Stage 2 of La Ruta de los Conquistadores is also a difficult day although for some reason it is considered the easiest. The riders still have to battle long climbs as well as an elevation gain of around 10,000 feet. The temeperature cools off due to the altitude, but there is also a chance of it raining which makes for difficult and slippery tracks.

Sue George of Cyclingnews.com descrbed Stages 3 and 4 of the 2011 La Ruta this way:

Stage 3 brings a third consecutive crack of dawn start. The 79km route includes a climb of about 6,000 feet from Tres Ríos straight up the Irazú Volcano, with the high probability of cold weather much of the day. Starting at 1291 meters above sea level, the ride is a never-ending ascent until riders reach 3025m (about 10,000 feet). Then it levels off, passes the Turrialba Volcano, and starts one of the fastest and longest downhills in Costa Rica, finishing in the town of Turrialba at an elevation of 607m (about 2,000) feet. Being prepared for cold weather riding and having well-functioning brakes is important for success.

Stage 4 goes through a series of climbs and down hills for a total elevation gain of about 2700 feet, mostly during the first half of the ride. The last half is mainly flat. Despite the relatively small amount of climbing, it's a hard, long 120km, frequently with hot coastal temperatures, scattered showers, tropical vegetation and very long, flat straightaways. It is this stage which includes the famous sections along old railroad beds, including some old rail bridges high above a river. Missing railroad ties will test racers' surefootedness and comfort level with heights, but along the way they'll be cheered on by locals who come out to watch them traverse the treacherous bridges.

Competitors face many tough and hazardous situations during La Ruta, in some of the jungle areas the riders have to hike with their bikes as riding is pretty well impossible. Theyrun the risk of encountering poisonous snakes, insects, dangerous river crossings, often knee deep mud. Due to the nature of the terrain it is not unusual for competitors to get lost, often adding long distances as they try to find their way. The 2011 women's race winner Adriana Rojas and second place finisher Jane Rembrandt were both stung numerous times by bees.

La Ruta de los Conquistadores is an exciting and difficult race with a winning prize of $15,000.00

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If you are interested in Mountain Bike Tours, holidays and adventure travel, adventureBash is a new adventure travel company that has recently started business. AdventureBash specializes in what they call bash holidays. Bash holidays are group adventure style holidays that will appeal to outgoing, sociable travellers who are in their 20's, 30's and early 40's. AdventureBash will also organize tailor made holidays private holidays for solo travellers or couples.

On the adventureBash website the company points out that it is different from others because they offer a more tasteful social scene for people who want to be part of an adults only group. Families and children are not allowed.

The holiday packages are promoted as Bashes.  The company offers ski Bashes, sailing bashes and of course mountain bike bashes. The mountain bike tours or bashes are held in Slovenia at different times during the summer. The idea behind the mountain bike tours is to replicate the atmosphere and camaraderie of a ski holiday. The mountain bike tours are one week holidays and the company provides good food as well as evening entertainment, as they describe it a sort of 'apres bike'.

Mountain bike tours can be booked by groups of friends, couples and even singles. The mountain bike tours are held in the Julian Alps of Slovenia. In the Julian Alps  mountain bikers will experience similar scenery to that found in the Swiss Alps except on a smaller scale. The Julian Alps share Slovenia's border with Italy. Although their highest peaks are not as high as those found in Switzerland, visitors will see some spectaculat peaks. The highest point is Triglav which has an altitude of 2864 meters.

AdventureBash mountain bike tours cater to people of varying fitness levels. The company will split a group up so that the mountain bikers can enjoy the holiday at their own pace.

For an idea of what the scenery you will see on mountain bike tours in the Julian Alps have a look at the video.

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Megavalanche or Mega Alpe d'Huez. Most of us are probably familiar with the Alpe d'Huez from watching the Tour de France. It has been a stage finish for most of the Tours with a few exceptions. The Alpe d'Huez is also a very popular European ski resort, but perhaps you are not familiar with the Megavalanche Alpe d'Huez mountain bike race also known as the Mega.

The Mega is a is a downhill mountain bike event that starts at 3,300m on the glacier of Pic Blanc. The finishing line is 30km away at Allemont ( 720m ). The course is not all downhill, there are sections where riders have to pedal uphill and of course this is at altitude. There are also sections near the bottom where there are switchbacks on the singletrack. Anyone who is afraid of heights could find this part quite frightening as the singletrack is exposed to the drop off in certain sections.

The Megavalanche runs over three main days:

The first day is a practice day where the cablecar lifts are available free to registered racers. This is an opportunity for those new to the Megavalanche especially rookies, to ride the courses as much as they can.

Day two is a qualifying day. Early in the morning competitors take the cablecar to the start at the glacier. The riders are divided into 6 heats of 250 riders and the start is chaotic. The qualifier is a shorter course than the actual Megavalanche race but it combines all of the elements of the main run. Riders' times are recorded and the qualifying times are divided into 'rows' which are designated by letters, with 'A 'being the beginning line.

The final race is spread over two days a Saturday and Sunday. Usually the top 35 – 45 riders from each qualifying race start the Mega, the qualifying time will determine whether it is a Saturday or Sunday race. Those competitors who do not qualify have the opportunity to ride the course at a designated time.

The Mega is is a fantastic event, which sometimes starts in freezing conditions but it can become very hot near the end, especially in body armour which is probably recommended. The top racers will complete the event in under an hour. If you are interested in competing in the Megavalanche it is usually held in July.

For more Megavalanche Alpe d'Huez information click here and here for Ride Oisans

These videos will give you an ideas of what the Megavalanche is all about!

Courtesy morguefle.com

Brasil Ride 2011 ended on Saturday October 29. The Brasil Ride is a 7 day event which started with a 12.4km time trial. If difficult terrain was not enough, the contestants have to race the Brasil ride in teams of two. They can never be more than 2 minutes apart as they race a total 7 day distance of nearly 600km.

Jeff Kerkove and Sonya Looney who finished third in 2010 and race for the Topeak Ergon team were unable to start the Brasil Ride 2011. American Airlines lost track of their bags. Later Kerkove was told that the police had their bags, but that the key to the room they were locked in had been lost. This must have been a massive disappointment for the duo who had been looking forward to competing in the Brasil Ride 2011.

The prologue proved to be tough and just a taste of what was in store for the MTB racers. Steffen Thum and Simon Gegeheimer took the Stage 1 open men's win. The winning women's duo was Adriana Naschimento and Sabrina Gobbo, while Jennifer Smith and Brian Smith took the mixed category.

Stage 2 of the Brasil Ride 2011 was to prove to be a difficult and challenging 145km race from Mucuge to Rio de Contas. This stage also featured 3372 metres of climbing. 100 teams started stage 2 but only 72 finished. Mechanical and physical problems plaqued many teams. The previous day's winning mixed duo were forced to pull out when Brian Smith succumbed to food poisoning . In the elite men category Luis Pinto and Alejandro Lopez took first place, the woes category was won by the previous day's winners and the mixed Ivonne Kraft and Mateus Ferraz of Brasil.

Stage 3 of the Brasil Ride 2011was a short stage of only 35km, but this consisted of 5 laps of a 7km cross country circuit that started and ended on the cobblestone streets of the central plaza of Rio de Contas. The circuit caused some of the amateur riders to be lapped twice by the elite racers. The circuit consisted of many of the main features that make up a true mountain bike race. The racers had to battle steep climbs, a bumpy and difficult singletrack as well as steep fast plunges which featured loose and rocky surfaces.

Day 3 of the Brasil Ride 2011 saw Hynek and Novotny win the elite men's category, Ivonne Kraft and Mateus Ferraz took the mixed with the ladies team of Nacimento and Gobbo taking their third stage win.

Stage 4 of the Brasil Ride 2011 featured an 82km race that started and finished at Rio de Contas. This was another tough day that saw riders having to carry their bikes to cross some of the streams. This was to be the stage that saw the winners of last year's Brazil Ride , Kristian Hynek and Robert Novotny take the lead and the yellow jersey. The mixed and elite women's team winners were the same as the day before.

Day 5 of the Brasil Ride 2011 also started and ended at Rio de Contas. Day 5 was a 95km race and one that proved to be incredibly difficult. The temperature soared to around 100F. This was in complete contrast to the Brasil Ride 2010 when the racers had to battle rain and mud. Parts of the race were extremely technical which forced some of the riders to walk. Annabella Stropparo who was racing with her husband had a nasty crash which resulted in a black eye from landing on her face. The winning teams in the elite men, mixed and women's categories were the same as Stage 4.

Stage 6 of the Brasil Ride 2011 saw the riders leave Rio de Contas to return to Mucuge over a race distance of 128km. The race featured long uphill sections with their corresponding long and rocky downhill tracks. The GC standings for the men did not change, but the team of Tomas Vokrouhlik and Martin Horak took the stage win 6 seconds ahead of Hynek and Novotny who took third place. The women's and mixed category winners remained the same as the previous stage.

Stage 7 of the Brasil Ride 2011 featured a 108km race that started and finished at Mucuge. Despite Portugal's Luis Pinto being possible the strongest competitor and Lukas Kauffman of Germany having the best technical skills, the fact that the Brasil Ride has to be won by a duo meant that they had to accommodate the riding skills of their partners. Kauffmann and Maletz took the stage win for the men, but Hynek and Novotny retained their overall lead in the GC.

The women's team of Nascimento and Gobbo took the overall women's title. Of  the 113 teams that started the Brasil Ride 2011 seven days earlier, only 67 managed to finish.

For all the results, photos and original article click here

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TransHajar MTB Race is a low budget but challenging 4 day event which takes place in Oman in February. In 2012 The mountain bike race gets under way on February 1 and will give riders the opportunity to see some spectacular scenery.

Day 1 of the TransHajar MTB race will feature an Individual time trial which will take the mountain bike riders along rough tracks and through wadis. According to the official race website the fastest riders should complete the time trial in around two hours.

On Day 2 the riders will face a 90 km stage along with a gain in elevation of 1200m. 10 km at the start of the route will be paved then the racers will face rough graded tracks with short steep sections. Due to the steepness of the descents and the loose surface riders will have to have their wits about them. The higher elevation climbs along the Ruwi hilltops promise great vies of the sea.

Stage 3 of the TransHajar MTB race will be 114km in length with an elevation gain of 1500m. The stage will feature some black top as well as tough graded trails with repeated uphills. Stage 3 promises to be a really tough day with wadi terrain that the riders will find challenging and difficult.

Stage 4 of the TransHajar MTB race is only 59km but will throw 1533m of elevation at the athletes. Day 4 will feature stunning scenery as the racers navigate the many tough steep climbs. Rolling hills will reward many with the opportunity to achieve fantastic speeds.

Many entrants in the TransHajar MTB race will use it as training for the Cape Epic MTB race which starts on March 25 2012 and runs until April 1 in South Africa. The Tranhajar MTB race has been put together by the TransHajar MTB Race Organizing Committee, a small group gof MTB enthusiasts. The intent of the race is to offer a MTB challenge similar to other multi day events like the Trans Rockies in Canada, Europe's trans Alps and of course South Africa's Cape Epic. See the official Trans Hajar MTB race website here.

Lake Arapakis is one of the organizers and he is excited that there are already 45 entrants from around the world. The race committee also wants to encourage as many Omanis to participate as well. Lake Arapakis is also the main organizer of The Dirty Dozen which is a 12 stage MTB series. This is a free event and has been established to determine the strongest male and female mountain bikers. The MTB event is open to everyone, but in order to become the Oman MTB race series champion you have to be a resident of Oman.

Arapakis moved to Oman in 1997 and says that in Oman:

"We have the potential to host individuals and teams to train over the winter in rather harsh conditions. It gives them all year preparedness, plus it’s great for tourism and for those who wish to explore the natural beauty of the country. The scope is incredible and we could even have training schools for both road and off-road racing.” See original source Theweek.co.om

So, if you have the time and the inclination, why not consider registering for the TransHajar MTB Race? Head over to Oman, the MTB race promises to be an exciting event in a very interesting part of the world.

Check out the kind of terrain you can expect in Oman

Courtesy morquefile.com

Crocodile Trophy 2011 Stage 10 was the last stage in this amazing 1200km mountain bike race.  The stage was a 99km race from Munbarra to Cooktown. It was no surprise that the Crocodile Trophy 2011 Stage 10 was won by Jeroen Boelen who used his lead to well and truly cement his overall victory.  What an amazing race and what an incredible competitor!  Boelen 33 won 5 of the ten stages taking stages 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10.  It was at the end of stage 6 that he got to wear the leader's jersey.

Urs Huber,  who had had to retire from the race just before the start of stage 9, was probably the only person who might have had a chance of beating Boelen. The terrible weather at the beginning of the race could have played a part in causing Huber to fall sick. Huber had won the previous two Crocodile Trophy mountain bike races, and had taken the first three stages in this year's tour.

The GC did not change at then end Crocodile trophy 2011 stage 10. The most exciting part of the stage came when a break which included Australia's Chris Hellman and the two Begian Riders Suys and Wisata. The group of road racers  demonstrated speed and tactics, but Boelen still held on to finish the Stage seconds ahead of Josef Benedseder. Kevin Hulsmans crossed the line in third place.

There was considerable admiration for masters riders Arnott. Davies, Morris, Hayat and Griffin. These riders were competing in this toughest of mountain bike races despite having full time jobs.

The amazing handcycling pair Patrick Doak and Carlos Moleda of team Van Be Venture managed to complete Stage 6 despite cycling for more than 13 hours. They were unable to start Stage 7 as Doak had sunstroke and Moleda an open skin wound. Handcycling in the Crocodile Trophy is one way to make a tough race even tougher.

Needless to say Boelen was thrilled with his result as he put it:

"This victory is important for me and for the team"… "The Crocodile Trophy has a big name in mountain bike community. It is important for my sponsors too. Without sponsors we have no sport. I am glad I can give them this victory." See original article Cyclingnews.com

Boelen's overall time in the Crocodile Trophy 2011 Stage 10 was 34 hours 15 minutes 14 seconds. His nearest competitor was Wolfgang Kreen who placed second 56 minutes behind. Third place went to Josef Benedseder. Graeme Arnott of team Subaru/MarathonMTB.com took first place in the Masters 1 GC. Jessica Douglas and Sharman Parr  both crossed the finish line as well. For the complete results of the Crocodile Trophy 2011 Stage 10 and for the overall classification results see Cyclingnews.com.

Not sure if hand cycling is tough?

Courtesy morguefile

Crocodile Trophy 2011 Stage 9, another fanatastic day of racing. This was Jeroen Boelen's day and a big disappointment for Urs Huber.  Crocodile Trophy 2011 Stage 9 was a 148km race from Kalpower to Munbarra. This was the third longest stage and technically the most difficult. The route was used this year for the first time in ten years.

In case anyone has forgotten, these riders don't spend their nights in nice comfortable hotels. Tents are pitched, and they camp out at night. This probably didn't make it any easier for poor Urs Huber who had suffered from a nasty nose bleed during the previous day's stage. He developed a fever in the evening and as the riders started to prepare for day 9 early in the morning, word came that Huber was too ill to continue. This will have been a huge disappointment for him and for his many fans. With only two days to go he must have been hoping to make up time on Boelen.

The technical difficulties of the Crocodile Trophy 2011 Stage 9 quickly became apparent, as the riders discovered that they would be battling a veritable Sahara desert of sand on the road today. If the sand diminished, deep, treacherous ruts appeared that did their utmost to unseat the racers. Although there were no steep climbs today the route had constant smaller ups and downs. All in all it was to prove a difficult and exhausting stage.

The sand and ruts caused a few crashes, one of them involving Christophe Sokoll who had won Stage 7. Mark Griffin of Australia crashed because of a deep wheel rut early in the stage. Four other riders including Sokoll and yesterday's winner Huub Duyn fell over him. Sokoll sustained a rib contusion and a possible broken finger, he decided not to try and maintain his sixth place in the GC, but to carry on at his own pace. This was not serious compared to his billabong crash last year and as consolation he has a stage win in this toughest of mountain bike racing events.

During today's Crocodile Trophy 2011 Stage 9, Doris Ermens who is riding a tandem with her husband had a nasty crash. Despite this, they continued on to finish the race and maintain the lead in the tandem category.

Boelen was supreme in tackling the sand today. Rather than attacking, Boelen was just relentless as he pulled in front of the lead group when they hit the deep sand. The group lost Huub, as his derailleur had broken. The sand prevented the remaing four riders from putting together any kind of a group attack to challenge Boelen. Road racing this was not. In an effort to avoid the sand,  two riders took to the bush on either side of the track. Crocodile Trophy 2011 Stage 9 was throwing all kinds of obstacles at the riders

Hulsmans attempted to stay with Boelen, but was disadvanted because he only found one drink bottle at the second feed station. He then waited for Huub, who had a miserable day crashing five times.

Mulkens also had a tough day as he was plaqued with mechanical problems. Once he had managed to fix his bike he passed several riders, powering through the sand which is something he enjoys.

Towards the end of the race Geeni Yong Choi of Korea threw everything at the stage, throwing caution to the wind as he flew down the one relatively steep descent. He was able to make up a little time on Boelen who was still a long way out front.

Boelen crossed the line in first place with Choi 7 minutes 30 seconds behind. Krenn placed third today, but is in second place in the GC. Arnott Graeme is first in the Master's one GC. So ended the Crocodile Trophy 2011 Stage 9. Only one day left.

Courtesy morguefile.com

Crocodile Trophy 2011 Stage 8 was an 89km race from Laura to Kalpower Camp. This turned out to be a great day for Huub Duyn of the Netherlands. Although this stage was the shortest of the Crocodile Trophy it still proved to be a nasty section. The day was hot, bush fires raged on the other side of the Normandy River, home to saltwater crocodiles and to add to the discomfort the road was corrugated for the whole stage.

Huub Duyn, riding for the Darrell Lee-Donckers Koffie Team, has spent three years as a domestique on the Garmin Team for such illustrious riders as Bradley Wiggins and Christian Vande Velde.  In 2010 as a member of Team NetApp he was hit by a car, sustaining five facial fractures.

Huub Duyn is not a mountain bike racer, has had no MTB experience and was competing in the Crocodile Trophy for fun. The competitve spirit of these elite athletes cannot be quelled, no matter what the circumstances,  and Huub was an absolute case in point on Crocodile Trophy Stage 8. 

The corrugations were viscious, resulting in blisters on many racers' hands. Despite the rough road Urs Huber powered away at the front in an impressive display of strength and skill. He managed to set the pace at the front for more than 70km despite a nose bleed that covered the lower part of his face with blood. Huber's speed over the corrugations impressed Kevin Hulsmans who compared it to something that Fabian Cancellara would have done.

Hulsmans attacked several times,  attempting to draw ahead of Huber. For eight of Hulsmans ten attacks Huber managed to stay with him, on the final two attacks Graeme Arnott went to work to ensure that Hulsmans did not break away. After Hulsmans had been reeled in Duyn attacked with 2km still to go. Justin Morris and Josef Benedseder went with him.

Benedseder went for the spint finish with 500 metres to go but might have showed his hand too soon. Duyn, with his road racing experience edged him out to take the Crocodile Trophy Stage 8 win. Justin Morris of Australia came third with Boelen fourth and Huber one minute and ten seconds behind in 7th place.

At the end of the Crocodile Trophy Stage 8 Boelen still retains his overall lead in the GC with Urs Huber just over seven minutes behind. 

Courtesy morguefile.com

Crocodile Trophy 2011 Stage 7 was a 151km race from Mt. Mulgrave to Laura. Stage 7 was to be a long race, but not as difficult as the previous stages. Crocodile Trophy 2011 Stage 7 proved to be a day that suited the road racers as it became a road race with all of the tactics one would expect. Mind you, the road still threw up corrugated sections, mud, sand and dust and crashes.

Christoph Sokoll of Austria who had been sitting in sixth place in the GC had a fantastic day, crossing the line at Laura to take the Stage win. Mike Mulkens had rotten luck getting a puncture with only one kilometre to go. He had been in the lead with Sokoll and would have had a good chance of taking the stage. This has to have been a really frustrating day for Mulkens who has been trying to get a stage win in the Crocodile Trophy since he first competed in it in 2009.

For Sokoll the Crocodile Trophy 2011 Stage 7 win was particularly sweet  because on the same stage in 2010 he had crashed, breaking his collarbone and some ribs. Despite the pain and broken bones he showed incredible toughness, managing to complete the stage.

Crocodile Trophy 2011 Stage 7 was not without its spills and accidents. Sokoll crashed as did Boelen and many others. Boelen was not seriously hurt although he did sustain bruises and road rash.

Urs Huber was able to use Boelen's misfortune to gain 16 seconds back on the race leader as he crossed the finishing line in second place, just over one minute behind Sokol. Boelen crossed the line in third place still managing to hold onto the leader's red jersey.

Mike Mulkens crossed in 8th place after pumping up his tire and then stopping again half a kilometre from the end. The women's leader in the Crocodile Trophy 2011 Stage 7 was Jessica Douglas.

Sokoll's win at the Crocodile Trophy 2011 Stage 7 is a great achievement for someone who seldom rides a mountain bike. Sokoll is Bernard Eisel's training partner and and currently a member of the Corratec-Vorarlberg Team of Austria.

Graeme Arnott after Crocodile Trophy 2011 Stage 7