Crankworx Cairns 2022: Lemoine dominates with #9 in Speed & Style, and Haz wins on home soil

It was a combination of everything. The flips is a big thing for me. It’s a new thing for me, so to get them in every run, that’s still a battle for me. They feel good but it’s still scary, which maybe takes off the pressure ’cause I’m not thinking about racing, I’m just thinking about getting that dialled. That, and I haven’t had a good Crankworx win this year, so that felt really good. And to do it in Australia is really sick.

Harriet Burbidge-Smith

It feels amazing. Having a first place is always a good time for sure. The course was insane. I was a bit injured since Whistler and didn’t really ride. So I didn’t expect too much from myself, I just tried to come and enjoy the moment. It’s a good start to the week. It will give me a good bit of motivation I guess. I have more events coming… so I’m going to celebrate it a little bit, and make sure I’m staying positive and focused.

Tomas Lemoine

It was sick. So much variety. It made it tight racing. Even in the last run I decided to do the gap in the rhythm straight. So still by the final run, you’re on your toes trying to get a bit faster.

Harriet Burbidge-Smith

So much fun. The track is so much fun. Some really tight berms and then this little rhythm section over the rock garden in the middle. It’s so fast you’re pinned through there. It almost feels like you’re going through a rhythm section on a motorbike.

Anthony Messere

I’m feeling bittersweet but I’m trying to focus on the goods. I can’t help but be disappointed when I miss a trick. I think I need to learn to do the thinking before I drop into my run. Mid-run I made a bad decision and tried to do a sui, which I only did once the whole week, versus I could have done a tuck-no hander and settled for half the points. It’s just split seconds, and you’re racing, and, I don’t know. I’m still learning. I’m very stoked for Haz. I think she freaking nailed it. In finals, pulled off the gap line, which is super sick. I just wish I did a trick and I would have been happier than losing this way, ya know?

Vaea Verbeeck

I wanted it so bad. I basically gave my all, every lap, even through semis. Knowing that everybody was basically on it, and that all 16 people on the start list can show up. It’s just a ‘best man wins’ kind of a deal. And that was Tomas today.

Garret Mechem

It was cool learning from Tomas. He’s an animal.

Garret Mechem

This is my first race back from injury. And this wasn’t even really my idea of what would happen on this trip. So to be in second place, I’m very proud. I’ve learned, I’ll come back stronger next year, and I’m ready to go.

Garret Mechem

You learn, you keep going, you get better. I just need to learn and get better faster than the other girls.

Vaea Verbeeck

It was wild. The last few weeks have been straight rehab, I didn’t know I was coming here until a few days ago. I really wanted to get here, this is an event that I wanted to race in. I have never been able to compete in a Crankworx in my home country. My parents haven’t travelled for three years to watch me compete so this was one I wasn’t going to miss, I wasn’t going to sit this one out.

Caroline Buchanan

I’m having a good time. I feel like my mind is evolving as I’m growing. I’m just following my heart. Riding when I’m feeling the things I feel. I have for sure to train and stuff like that, but yeah. I just try to follow the things, one by one, enjoy each event. And I’m a bit more focused now for King of Crankworx. No pressure though. If it happens, I will be happy at the end of the season. If not, the one that will win will deserve it for sure. Because, this is four events in the full year. And we do three, to four, to five events, depending on the rider. So this is a big battle.

Tomas Lemoine

Inspiration. Motivation. Focus. And good times.

Tomas Lemoine