The much-anticipated final edition of Crankworx Innsbruck has officially kicked off with the Thule Official European Whip-Off Championships pictured by Fujifilm at Bikepark Innsbruck. Georgia Astle and Edgar Briole took gold in the competition against a big field of local and international riders, getting lots of sideways airtime. This first day sets the stage for three more days of thrilling events, available for spectators both on-site in Mutters, and on Red Bull TV.
On the arguably most scenic Whip-Off course on the planet, riders opened this year’s Crankworx Innsbruck festival with a bang. Battling to gain airtime, whipping their bikes into a 90-degree angle before whipping it back for a smooth landing, athletes put on a spectacular display of skill and style. The course boasted the largest Whip-Off jump in Crankworx World Tour history, meticulously groomed into great shape despite recent heavy rainfalls. In a close contest, Georgia Astle outperformed Kirsten Van Horne, transforming her bronze medal from last year into gold. Lucy Van Eesteren secured third place, completing an all-Canadian female podium. On the men’s side, Edgar Briole, last year’s silver medalist, impressed with his impeccable whips, earning him the top spot on the podium. Eddie Reynolds, last year’s Whip-Off champion at Crankworx Whistler, took second place, followed very closely by Gaspard Mahieu Pin in third. The course build crew was working up until the last minute to groom the jump, making it “the perfect jump for Whip-Off. It was a little bit slow in the beginning but after that, it was just so sick,” as Edgar Briole describes it.
Thule Official European Whip-Off Championships pictured by Fujifilm Podium:
1. Georgia Astle (CAN) // Edgar Briole (FRA)
2. Kirsten Van Horne (CAN) // Eddie Reynolds (USA)
3. Lucy Van Eesteren (CAN) // Gaspard Mahieu Pin (FRA)
Set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Tyrolean Alps, this action-packed event in jam session format had the crowd cheering and eager for more. The excitement continues on Friday with head-to-head racing at Speed & Style before the festival heads into a busy weekend. Double-header Saturday promises to be action-filled with the crowd-favourite Thule Slopestyle and the Crankworx Innsbruck Pump Track Challenge presented by Raiffeisen Club Tirol. The festival concludes on Sunday with the Specialized Dual Slalom Innsbruck, another head-to-head competition.
Mountain bike fans across the globe will not want to miss the final edition of Crankworx Innsbruck. Tickets are available on-site and at the door in Mutters. For those who can’t attend in person, all events will be broadcast live on Red Bull TV.
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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