World's top mountain bike festival coming soon. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Grab a bike and get ready to send it - Crankworx Rotorua has arrived.
The first of the professional races, the 100% Dual Slalom, is on todayat Wattles off Tarawera Rd and serves as an appetiser for the smorgasbord of mountain biking events on offer during the rest of the week.
Crankworx Rotorua event director Ariki Tibble said in light of the shootings in Christchurch on Friday, sporting events like Crankworx were an opportunity for people to unite and create positive, magical memories.
"For us, it's hard to go on as normal, we've seen other major events cancelled across the country. We're just trying to adjust to the new normal and there's no better way to start the healing process than to pull together under a united cause under a banner of unity and wanting to do something special together," Tibble says.
"It's something positive we can all focus on. Obviously everybody is reeling from what happened on Friday, we're all very vigilant and we're really keen to give everyone a good positive reason to come together and make some magical memories."
"We are sold out across all of our events - some of the fields we've got are the biggest we've ever had. A bunch of riders have been here for a few weeks, getting used to the trails and the riding, so it's all starting to ramp up."
When asked which events he thought would be the highlights of the week, Tibble said that was like being asked to choose a favourite child.
"The Dual Slalom is such a great community vibe, it's quite special. Throughout the week at Skyline it really just ramps up every single day. I feel like Wednesday is good enough to come and check things out, but Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday it just gets better and better.
Frenchman Thomas Lemoine pulls off a trick during Crankworx Rotorua 2018. Photo / Getty Images
"Every different event has it's own special elements. I hope we get a lot of people along to come and experience the whole vibe."
Rotorua professional mountain biker Keegan Wright is one rider who has created his own magical memories at Crankworx Rotorua in the past. Last year he won the Giant Toa Enduro and in 2017 he won the Rockshox Rotorua Pump Track Challenge in front of his home crowd. This year has signed up for most of the events on offer.
"Training is going good, I'm feeling fit and strong so I'm looking forward to it. I'm doing Dual Slalom, Dual Speed and Style, the Pump Track, Air DH, Crankworx Downhill and the Enduro.
"The home crowd [makes Crankworx Rotorua special] for me. Just everyone coming out and all the little kids enjoying themselves with their families, it's just a good vibe all around for sure."
He also won the Les Gets Pump Track Challenge in France last year, but it was not an event he trained for specifically.
"The Pump Track is always a good one to do in front of the home crowd, especially when you win it, that tops it off nicely. I used to race BMX as I was coming up, you sort of transfer from that.
"All the riders who come over are in it for a good time, no one takes it too seriously. Obviously everyone wants to do well, but at the same time everyone's having a good laugh and enjoying themselves."
Crankworx Rotorua tickets and event schedules are available at crankworx.com/rotorua
Crankworx Rotorua Schedule (Professional Events)
Tuesday 100% Dual Slalom, Wattles off Tarawera Rd, Training and qualification from 10.15am, Pro finals at 5pm.
Wednesday Rotorua Air DH, Skyline MTB Park, racing starts 3.30pm.
Thursday Mons Royale Speed & Style Rotorua, Skyline MTB Park, Timed runs from 10am, Finals from 5pm. Whip Off, Skyline MTB Park, 7.30pm.
Friday Rockshox Rotorua Pump Track Challenge, Skyline MTB Park, Qualifiers from 10am, Finals at 7.30pm. Rotorua Downhill, Skyline MTB Park, Pro training from 11.30am, Finals at 3pm.
