The French have swept the first day of Crankworx Innsbruck competition. Adrien Loron and Morgane Charre kicked off the day with wins in the Dual Slalom, and the momentum continued in the RockShox Innsbruck Pump Track Challenge. As the sun set on Bikepark Innsbruck, Mathilde Bernard, who finished one behind Charre earlier, stepped up to the top step alongside Loron.
“It’s so sick,” said the former King and Crankworx and Pump Track World Champion. “It’s the best.”
Loron won in a tight battle that’s played out many times before in Crankworx locations all over the world. In fact, Chaney Guennet has taken first on the Innsbruck Pump Track twice before (2017 and 2018) while Loron had won once (2019) before today.
He’s one of my biggest opponents. We’re used to racing against each other. It’s the first time we are three Frenchies on the podium, because Tomas is a really, really good guy too. It’s the best. We are… all three we are friends and we had so much fun tonight. It’s the cherry on the cake to take the win.
– Adrien Loron
He rode better than me. Riding against him it’s like riding every race with the best guy in Pump Track, so second place, I’ll take it.
– Channey Guennet
Loron was behind Guennet by 0.27 seconds after their first matchup, but charged in their second, crossing the line 0.41 seconds ahead of Guennet, enough for the win. In the battle for third, Lemoine swept both rounds against the Netherlands’ Niels Bensink.
That was a pretty long day with a lot of practice – Slopestyle, Pump Track, Speed & Style. I was pretty happy with my Slopestyle practice, so I was kind of pumped for Pump Track, and I managed to make it to third place. I’m happy with that. Loron beat me in semi-finals and he was super fast today. That’s the last guy I saw before we came here, and we went surfing together, so I’m pretty happy with this.
– Tomas Lemoine
On the women’s side, some talented locals fought hard to take on a mix of top international riders. Bernard and Germany’s Kathi Kuypers battled it out for first, with the French rider taking both rounds.
“I’m super happy,” said Bernard of the gold medal she’ll add to the one she earned in the Les Gets Pump Track in 2018. The young rider’s big day is just the beginning – she’s set to take on the first Austrian edition of women’s Speed & Style tomorrow, as well as the DH Sunday.
It was incredible,. I’m super happy that I made it to second place. My first Crankworx medal. Mathilde is a BMX Racer and I am super stoked she won Gold, she is so fast on her bike.
– Kathy Kuypers
Third place went to local rider Paula Zibasa, who also earns her first Crankworx podium on this challenging track.
This one is pretty technical. It’s pretty tight, it’s not too fast. You cannot pump like hell and go fast. You really need to be careful in the corners. It’s a bit slippery and the light is always playing with your mind when it’s getting dark. So it’s not an easy one. And also of course physical because I had two events the same day.
– Adrien Loron
Full results – RockShox Innsbruck Pump Track Challenge: Pro Men and Pro Women
Women’s podium: 2. Kathy Kuypers, 1. Mathilde Bernard, 3. Paula Zibasa / photo: Kike Abelleira Men’s podium: 2. Channey Guennet, 1. Adrien Loron, 3. Tomas Lemoine / photo: Kike Abelleira
Next up, another epic double-header awaits. Friday will see some of the world’s fastest and most stylish riders take flight, starting with the Crankworx Innsbruck Slopestyle and ending with the CLIF Speed & Style presented by GoPro, both live on Red Bull TV: redbull.com/ca-en/events/crankworx-austria
Full schedule and details for all live events to come during Crankworx Innsbruck 2020: crankworx.com
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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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