The Specialized Kārearea Downhill delivered another high-speed spectacle at Skyline Rotorua today, as some of the fastest riders battled gravity and the clock on the steep, technical course overlooking the festival arena and Lake Rotorua. The track — only accessible during Crankworx Rotorua — evolved throughout the week, transitioning from wet and slippery conditions after early rain to a fast, rut-filled course by race day. With riders dropping more than 300 vertical metres over fast open sections and technical forest lines, the stage was set for a dramatic showdown – and it was familiar names and rising stars who rose to the top. Jenna Hastings Continues Downhill Dominance Jenna Hastings once again proved…
Author: Tomasz Profic
After rain showers rolled through the night and into the morning, the Crankworx Rotorua Pump Track Challenge presented by The Rock fired up under clearing skies at Skyline Rotorua today. The chainless, head-to-head showdown proved once again why it’s one of the most electrifying events on the schedule, with hometown heroes squaring off against international heavyweights on a pump track that was running in prime condition despite the earlier drizzle. Gilchrist Powers to Gold Again The men’s showdown featured some of the sport’s most decorated names. Ryan Gilchrist once again showed why he’s a dominant force on the Pump Track. Gilchrist advanced through the rounds with authority, including a decisive semifinal victory over hometown hero…
The 12th edition of Crankworx Rotorua kicked off at Skyline Rotorua with no time lost, as some of the world’s best mountain bikers dropped straight into competition.Day one of five delivered a packed schedule, featuring the Crankworx Rotorua Air DH presented by Rotorua Canopy Tours in the morning before riders had a chance to check out the track for the Specialized Kārearea Downhill, which will heat up tomorrow with Seeding. With the New Zealand National Downhill Championships held at the same time, this Seeding run will double as their race National Champs race run for Aotearoa riders. Crankworx Rotorua 2026 As the sun dipped behind the hills and Lake Rotorua lit up the…
The lightest XC crank you can buy, with the strength to hold up against your daily abuse. Our carbon layup reduces bulk in every possible area with no compromise to long-term durability. An integrated spindle shaves grams by removing hardware, and a strategically shaped wear plate keeps your cranks looking fresh. Race Face Era SL crankset And when we say light, we mean really light. 422g to be exact, including a 32T chainring on a 170mm crankset. Offered in 4 lengths – 160, 165, 170 and 175mm – and available in Black, Kashmoney and Stealth. All this, covered by our…
Rotorua is ready to welcome the world back for the ultimate experience in mountain biking for an impressive twelfth year. Set on the mountainside of Ngongotahā, at Skyline Rotorua, Crankworx Rotorua returns with five days of elite competition, community racing, culture and connection. Crankworx Rotorua 2026 From March 11-15, Rotorua will once again take its place alongside Christchurch, Whistler, SilverStar, BC and Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec as a cornerstone stop of the Crankworx World Tour. Now in its twelfth year, Crankworx Rotorua continues to cement its reputation as one of the most iconic mountain bike festivals on the planet, blending world-class racing with…
The first roll-up tailgate pad on the market, designed to match your flexible lifestyle. When you aren’t hauling bikes, Stash tucks into an included storage bag, perfectly sized for the back seat or garage shelving. Race Face Stash Tailgate Pad Stash is the first roll-up tailgate pad on the market, designed to match your flexible lifestyle. You may not be hauling bikes full-time, but that doesn’t mean your bike and your truck shouldn’t get full protection. Whether you’re mostly pedaling to the trailhead, or your truck runs double duty as a work or camping rig, Stash ensures you’re a quick and easy install away from…
Pivot Cycles introduces the all-new Mach 4 SL, XC distilled to its fastest form—engineered for efficiency, sharpened for precision and built to master the modern racecourse. Born from the crucible of World Cup XC and epic endurance racing, it balances a feathery build with an obsession for stiffness, control and efficiency. This is Pivot’s sharpest tool for riders who live in the red zone, engineered to crush climbs and meet the intense demands of real trails where races are actually won. Pivot Mach 4 SL The Mach 4 SL is built with our highest-modulus carbon fiber, setting a new benchmark…
After a week soaked in sunshine, speed and festival energy, the second edition of Crankworx Christchurch closed with a statement performance at Christchurch Adventure Park. The Ōtautahi Slopestyle didn’t just wrap up the festival but launched a new era. Crankworx Christchurch 2026 – day 4 Opening the inaugural season of the Slopestyle Super League (SSL) – replacing the Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship as the pinnacle of the sport – today’s showdown delivered exactly what the sport promised: progression, pressure and unpredictability. For the first time, the sport’s established top-level elite must defend their dominance across a season-long series against Gold-level riders, emerging talent and local wildcards. The result? A…
Adventure Park’s Redemption DH lived up to its name today at Crankworx, delivering one of the most physically demanding and technically punishing race days the circuit has seen. After heavy rainfall battered the region earlier this week, trail builders worked relentlessly to make the course race-ready. The solution: a rerouted alternate line through the top third of the track: a slabby, rocky and brutally steep opening section that immediately tested commitment and bike handling. It was a week-long push behind the scenes, and by finals day, the course was not just rideable – it was race-ready. But “rideable” did not mean forgiving. Crankworx Christchurch 2026 -…
Friday at Crankworx Christchurch delivered everything fans have come to expect from the World Tour stop – grit, precision, and high-energy showdowns – as the Redemption DH Seeding set the tone for Saturday’s finals and the Christchurch Pump Track Challenge presented by The Rock brought festival village to life under the lights. Crankworx Christchurch 2026 – day 2 After heavy rainfall earlier this week battered Christchurch Adventure Park, the already unforgiving Redemption DH track demanded serious attention. What riders faced today was a reimagined upper section – rerouted into a slabby, rocky and relentlessly steep opening that immediately tested nerve and commitment. Thanks to tireless work from the trail…
The 2026 Crankworx World Tour is officially underway, and if opening day at Christchurch Adventure Park (CAP) is any indication, the season is going to be fiercely contested. Crankworx Christchurch 2026 Crankworx Christchurch rang in the new season with fans, families, and outdoor enthusiasts coming into CAP, eager to shake off the midweek rain and soak up the unmistakable festival atmosphere. With sunshine returning and a stacked schedule ahead, the stage was set for a dramatic start. It was fitting that the action began with the AirDH – one of Crankworx’s own creations and the newest addition to the Christchurch lineup. Rooted in the spirit of Whistler’s…
lake.bike is the go-to hub for everything around cycling in Austria’s Villach – Faaker See – Ossiacher See region. What started back in 2016 as a pure mountain bike project is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026 and has since grown into a multi-discipline bike destination, bringing together mountain biking, road cycling, gravel riding and a wide range of outdoor experiences under one roof. Set between Lake Ossiach and Lake Faak, the region offers an impressive mix of trail networks, scenic road rides and gravel routes – all rideable from spring well into late fall. The 2026 lake.bike event calendar reflects…
For riders looking to improve the compression damping performance of their RockShox ZEB R and RC forks, FAST Suspension is proud to introduce the DC3, a drop-in compression block upgrade that features 3 distinct compression paths for unrivalled comfort and control. The DC3 provides an affordable upgrade path for these popular mid-tier forks that come as standard equipment on many enduro bikes today, whether pedal- or e-powered. FAST Suspension DC3 By managing 3 different types of compression events, Fast’s unique compression damping architecture can unlock the fork’s full potential in every riding scenario: The DC3 is simple to install, it…
The first time I ever touched the SUPREME DH V5 was 5 days after worlds in Champery. And I immediately loved it, the mix of excitement of a new chapter in my life plus being a fresh World champion made my day. The bike was so stable from the first breaking bump on, I need way less strength, it gives you a lot of confidence still it’s very playful for how planted it is. I struggled a lot with arm pump last year as I ride quite a stiff setup, so being back on an aluminium frame will help me…