They’ve gone a few rounds against each other, the clock and themselves. We’ve gotten a taste of who’s fittest, fastest, strongest. Who’s been working on new tricks and new skills. It all began to come to light in March, hints of what would roll out over the course of the season.
The reigning Queen emerged from Crankworx Rotorua leading the pack but frustrated with her downhill game, pledging to shift her spring training focus. 2017’s King left the Southern Hemisphere in eighth place, licking his wounds and preparing to surge on home soil, a Kiwi-usurper instead leading the charge.
Casey Brown, Whip-Off Crankworx Innsbruck 2017
The time for celebration, regret, rest, review, and training is done, as 2018’s battles for the titles of King and Queen of Crankworx roll on to Europe. The gates to the world’s biggest arena of multidisciplinary mountain bike competition and celebration are about to drop.
Here’s what awaits, who to watch for and what’s on the line at Crankworx Innsbruck and Crankworx Les Gets in 2018.
Jack Moir, Air DH Crankworx Les Gets 2017
What Lies Ahead
Crankworx Innsbruck – June 13-17
Rinse, wash, polish, repeat. That’s what’s going down heading into the second year of the fourth stop on the Crankworx World Tour. 2017’s tracks for the festival’s five events were lauded by some as the best in the world. So, heading into 2018 it’s no muss, no fuss, all buff, polish and perfect.
Nicholi Rogatkin, Slopestyle Crankworx Innsbruck 2017
Crankworx Les Gets – June 20-24
Les Gets is moving on up for Year Three, with part of the action moving up the hill to the area known as Gibannaz. What’s unique about Gibannaz? The area will allow for expansion, meaning an updated Whip-Off jump and a bigger Pump Track that will be open to the public following the festivities. Beyond Gibannaz, an all-new event will await riders who come to compete in this storied Alpen town, while the Slopestyle course will see a tweak or two. As for the two Downhill events that bring the world’s best, past, present and future, to Les Gets? Perfection needs no addition or alteration. Let the good times roll.
Greg Minnaar, Downhill Crankworx Les Gets 2017
Current Leaders
King of Crankworx
Sam Blenkinsop – 500pts
Queen of Crankworx
Jill Kintner – 565pts
Sam Blenkinsop & Jill Kintner
What & where to watch?
Follow along with the Crankworx World Tour LIVE on all your devices:
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Official website: crankworx.com