Crankworx thrills Rotorua (+pics&video)

Another successful Crankworx Rotorua has come to a close with crowd figures looking to surpass previous years - and event director Tak Mutu promising a "bigger and better" event in 2018.

More than 1000 athletes took part in the international mountain biking festival, with more than 300 volunteers helping out between March 25 and today.

Mr Mutu said it had been an "awesome" week.

"The crowd numbers were easily on par with last year, we're pretty confident it was up even facing major challenges with the weather."

He said they managed to "make lemonade out of lemons", with the official Oceania Whip-Off Championships moved to Friday night due to weather issues, a decision Mr Mutu said was welcomed by the crowd.

There were many highlights, with the "massive" Downhill, the Slopestyle "smashing it out of the park" and the Foxhead world premiere of Ride Your F*%king Bike, a mountain biking roadtrip film in honour of memory of the late Stevie Smith, Mr Mutu said.

"It was shown at Eat Streat on Thursday, and from the photos I've seen people were literally shoulder to shoulder. I don't think you could physically fit more people in."

Mr Mutu said Crankworx was pretty hard to fault, but the plan for next year was to go bigger and better.

The dates have been released for the 2018 edition of Crankworx Rotorua, to be held from March 17 to March 25, he said.

Image 1 of 32: Crankworx Slopestyle. Photo/Ben Fraser

Peak Safety co-director Mark Woods said the week went really well from a safety and medical point of view.

He said the athletes were "really receptive" to the concussion protocol, introduced to this year's Crankworx to address the issue for competitors.

The protocols were integrated into the athletes briefings, Mr Woods said.

A number of riders were pulled from their races due to concussions, but a third of those pulled were cleared by doctors to get back to racing.

"There will always be incidents but it's fantastic to see Crankworx has pulled off another great event."

On their busiest day Mr Woods said there were 19 medics on the ground and six doctors and nurses.

When asked how many people needed medical attention, he said he didn't have the numbers yet.

Crowds had gathered on the final day today to watch the Crankworx Air Downhill webcast finals.

A Crankworx veteran, Virginia Lowe, had come over from the Sunshine Coast for the week, with her son who lives in the United States.

"I come every year for a holiday. It's a wonderful event for the community, and I love the way they promote it for families. It's excellent to see the progress [at Crankworx Rotorua] over the years, we appreciate Rotorua."

She said the event she never missed was Slopestyle, "they are brave young men, unpretentious and so skilled."

This year there were 18 international competitors in the Slopestyle event.

Over at Kidsworx, the week was sensational said Heidie Verhagen, Kidsworx team member.

"Yesterday we were at capacity with over 100 kids. We've had great feedback, more people are aware of [Kidsworx.] There are not many places where the little ones can come and challenge themselves."

Ms Verhagen said there had been lots of under five's come along this year, with the kids watching each other on the tracks to gain confidence.

"They are also learning social skills, this particular age group [of 12 and under] look out for each other."

It was the third year for the specialised 12 year-old and under Kidsworx area, with Ms Verhagen praising their "amazing" group of volunteers.

"They are tireless in their efforts, without them we couldn't do it."

Manager of Brew Bar, Mel Rolfe, said the Eat Streat bar was busy during Crankworx.

"It met my expectations, especially last Saturday night. It was a good crowd all week, especially the [premiere of Ride Your F*%king Bike] on Thursday which created a great atmosphere, it was cool to see."

Pig and Whistle duty manager, Herbie Philpot, said from Monday to Thursday hadn't been any different from a standard week, but last night was "cranking".

"We were busy right through from dinner service, everyone was well-behaved and happy."