Racing is officially back, and the first victors of the CLIF Crankworx Summer Series have been crowned. Under a punishing mid-summer sun that pushed temps into the mid-30s, 24 of the world’s best riders came together to see how they stacked up against their peers from across disciplines in the SilverStar Enduro.
Coming out on top after four stages were Whistler’s Finn Iles and Vernon-local Casey Brown.
So much drama. I got to the top and only had a few minutes before dropping in…the timing was tight. I forgot to take my shock out of lock mode, so I dropped in locked in and as soon as I dropped in over those rough rocks I could tell right away. I was like ‘Oh Jesus, this is going to be a rough one.’ And then halfway down the rocks I heard the ‘sssssss’ and it slowly went down. Luckily I had enough air in it for the first big rock roll. I just tried to hold on and pedal as much as I could and not let the back end fly off the trail. It was sketchy.
– Casey Brown
Coming in hot behind her, Vaea Verbeeck. Sporting her Queen of Crankworx number plate, Verbeeck took the wins on the second and third stages (after Brown took the first), but ultimately finished 1.6 seconds behind her.
I’m super stoked to be here racing my friends. We have such a stacked field of athletes. It doesn’t feel any less hard compared to the World Tour, at all, especially since everyone here is a professional in their own discipline.
– Vaea Verbeeck
Squamish’s Miranda Miller took the final podium spot after a consistent day with two second and two third place stage results.
On the men’s side, a commanding start for an early overall favourite. Finn Iles put his Downhill mettle to the test and came out on top.
I had so much fun today. It was like riding with my friends. Every time I got on track I was just riding fast and flowy. The tracks were really fun and kind of suited by riding style. It was a sick day.
– Finn Iles
On top of the win, the 20-year-old said the thrill of getting back in between the tape added a great feeling to the day.
I haven’t put a race plate on my bike in, I would say, 10 months now. Since September at World Championships… as soon as I put it on there and as soon as I dropped in on the first stage I was like ‘Ohh, this is sick. I miss this feeling.’ That exhilaration and that intensity that you don’t really get anywhere else. I had a lot of fun today.
– Finn Iles
Sharing the podium with Iles, Kasper Woolley took second, and Rhys Verner third. The two Squamish Enduro riders each took a stage win, with half a second separating the two in the end.
FULL RESULTS: SilverStar Enduro
Women’s podium: 2. Vaea Verbeeck, 1. Casey Brown, 3. Miranda Miller / photo: Chris Pilling Men’s podium: 2. Kasper Woolley, 1. Finn Iles, 3. Rhys Verner / photo: Chris Pilling
Next up, riders will shift gears and go head-to-head in Dual Slalom action. Competition goes down tomorrow, with the full event broadcast on Thursday. The SilverStar Dual Slalom will be the first broadcast event for the CLIF Crankworx Summer Series.
Thursday’s coverage will include:
- Stan’s No Tubes Course Preview
- Crankworx Connect: 12:30-1 p.m. PDT
- Broadcast: 1-3 p.m. PDT
The CLIF Crankworx Summer Series will be available on crankworx.com, Pinkbike and EDGEsport (available to view through TV, online and digital services).
Get the full details of all broadcast/content for Week One of the CLIF Crankworx Summer Series: Crankworx News
Get Stoked. Be safe. Watch #CrankworxFromHome.
About the CLIF 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.
About Crankworx World Tour
About Crankworx World Tour
Crankworx is the ultimate experience in mountain biking. Born in Whistler, B.C. in 2004, Crankworx has evolved into a multi-stop international festival series. The Crankworx World Tour brings together the best mountain bike athletes to compete in elite-level competitions in a variety of disciplines. Crankworx World Tour festivals also host races for amateurs, Kidsworx contests for young riders, participatory events, and celebrations of mountain bike culture, all while showcasing amazing destinations.
Official website: crankworx.com
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