Crankworx set to begin with a jam-packed weekend

A rider takes to air in the Slopestyle event at last year's Crankworx Rotorua. Photo/File

The gears are now clicking with Crankworx Rotorua underway and spectators can expect some exciting racing, regardless of any wet weather.

Crankworx Rotorua event director Tak Mutu said he was stoked Crankworx was finally here, as it was something he had been waiting for all year.

He thought the Giant Toa Enduro series was going to be huge, with thousands of people in town for the event.

The hype around it had been massive and he was expecting some great crowds in the forest, he said.

Mr Mutu said he was particularly excited about this year's Professionals Rotorua National Schools MTB Championships.

"I think it's going to be a big part of Crankworx, especially for the foreseeable future."

Although the weather this weekend is looking to be wet, Mr Mutu says the Enduro event would run "rain, hail or shine".

"I think that makes it more exciting for the spectators, in all honesty."

The official Crankworx opening ceremony took place last night at the Village Green.

Today there will be the Giant Toa Enduro Challenger.

This is a less-competitive, fun enduro event where riders shred it in their best dress-up costumes.

The Giant Toa Enduro World Series will take place tomorrow .

The stages are: Te Rua; Tihi O Tawa; Billy T; Hatu Patu; Dammit Janet; Kung Fu Walrus; Frankenfurter, Riff Raff, Rocky Horror; DH Mushroom Line, Whaki; Corridor, Eastern Spice, Turkish, New Exit, Old Exit.

The Giant Toa Enduro stages are close together so spectators can catch all the action on each stage without having to move too far.

Crankworx Rotorua is a nine day festival which ends on April 2.

A five-day pass is required to access the last half of the festival at Skyline Gravity Park.

For more information visit www.crankworx.com.

Giant Toa Enduro Challenger:
- When: Saturday March 25, 10am to 4pm
-Where: Whakarewarewa Forest

Giant Toa Enduro World Series Race:
-When: Sunday March 26, 7am to 7pm
-Where: Whakarewarewa Forest

EWS Giant Toa Enduro Prizegiving:
-When: Sunday March 26, 7.15pm to 7.30pm
-Where: Eat Streat