The ultimate mountain biking road trip is getting ready to make its return to New Zealand in just a few weeks. We’re talking Crankworx-caliber competition with a grassroots vibe at four destinations around New Zealand’s South Island.
This summer marks a significant calendar reset and the Summer Series paves the road to Crankworx Rotorua’s return as the first stop on the Crankworx World Tour.
Ariki Tibble, Event Director for Crankworx Rotorua and Crankworx Summer Series New Zealand (CSS NZ)
Crankworx Summer Series New Zealand launched in 2021, giving local and up-and-coming riders a chance to compete against international heroes including Sam Blenkinsop, Casey Brown, and Caroline Buchanan. This multi-stop festival series made for the ultimate summer road trip through the Southern Lakes Region. When not training or racing, riders got a chance to experience the best of this region through heaps of epic activities such as heli biking and bungee jumping in Queenstown, climbing a waterfall in Wanaka, checking out the trails in Alex on a shop ride with the crew from Henderson’s Cycle, and savouring some of the local wineries. Follow along this epic mountain biking summer road trip as a rider or spectator as it should surely bring the good times again this March.
The Crankworx Summer Series New Zealand was such a blast back in 2021, and this year we are delivering a similar number of events at all the same great venues, but in quite a different global environment compared to what was in 2021. We have the Summer Series confirmed until 2027 which means we have a unique opportunity to try things out and adapt over the long term which is really exciting from an event organisers perspective.
Ariki Tibble, Event Director for Crankworx Rotorua and Crankworx Summer Series New Zealand (CSS NZ)
The CSS NZ includes categories for Pros, Open, and CWNEXT racers. Registration is now open for anyone looking to get amongst the action this summer. Please see full details HERE on athlete registration.
Who are the pros on deck so far to battle it out, and where is it all kicking off? Here’s a sneak peek of some athletes already confirmed for the Crankworx Summer Series New Zealand Overall Champions title.
Women – Pro
| Last Name | First Name | Nationality | Alexandra Enduro | Queenstown Pump Track | Cardrona DH | Wānaka Dual Slalom |
| Astle | Georgia | CAN | X | X | ||
| Blewitt | Jess | NZL | X | X | X | |
| Burbidge-Smith | Harriet | AUS | X | X | X | X |
| Ferguson | Louise | GBR | X | X | X | X |
| Flavell | Caitlin | NZL | X | |||
| Gill | Martha | GBR | X | X | X | X |
| Goomes | Robin | NZL | X | |||
| Hannah | Tracey | AUS | X | X | X | |
| Hastings | Jenna | NZL | X | X | X | X |
| Muirhead | Kalani | NZL | X | X | X | X |
| Smith | Ellie | AUS | X |
Men – Pro
| Last Name | First Name | Nationality | Alexandra Enduro | Queenstown Pump Track | Cardrona DH | Wānaka Dual Slalom |
| A’Hern | Kye | AUS | X | X | X | |
| Brannigan | George | NZL | X | X | X | |
| MacDonald | Brook | NZL | X | |||
| Maiwald | Baxter | AUS | X | X | X | X |
| Masters | Eddie | NZL | X | X | ||
| Pene | Tuhoto-Ariki | NZL | X | X | X | X |
| Reynolds | Sam | GBR | X | X | X | |
| van Steenbergen | Bas | CAN | X | |||
| Walker | Matt | NZL | X | X | X | X |
For pros, the race win will be up for grabs, along with points for the overall M/F Crankworx Summer Series New Zealand Champs titles. Crankworx Summer Series New Zealand is also open for Open and CWNEXT (U19) categories. Please see full details HERE on athlete registration.
I’m super excited for the Crankworx Summer Series to return. This year it’s roughly a month before Crankworx Rotorua so it’s ideal to get in a bit of fun racing action as a build-up to Crankworx Roto but with less pressure for results. Also, to have some Crankworx races in the Southern Lakes region is like a level up, the scenery is incredible, the trails and riding are all time, and there’s also heaps of off-the-bike activities to go at!
Martha Gill
The full schedule of events and locations includes:
- February 28 – March 1: Matangi Station MTB, Alexandra
- March 4-5: Bike Glendhu, Wānaka
- March 8-9: Cardrona Bike Park
- March 11-12: Kerry Drive Reserve, Queenstown
About Crankworx Summer Series
The Crankworx Summer Series (CSS) brings together races staged in new, epic destinations on world-class tracks. Multiple stops are strung together to create the series, which turns it into the ultimate mountain bike summer roadie. CSS races bring Crankworx-caliber competition to communities outside the usual Crankworx World Tour circuit. Races and competitions give local and up-and-coming racers a chance to race with national and international heroes, providing a path to potential future Crankworx World Tour greatness, and a real good time along the way. For additional information, visit crankworx.com.