The legendary 2.2km Downhill track dried out today, turning in a completely different race than yesterday’s slower, wetter Seeding. Mille Johnset and Tegan Cruz took home gold at the first-ever Crankworx Mont-Sainte-Anne.
Crankworx Mont-Sainte-Anne 2026 – Downhill
With the track running fast and firm compared to Friday’s mud, riders found creative lines all the way down an unforgiving track that kept them on their toes right through a full-pedal final stretch to the finish through the crowds.
Mille Johnset Secures Back-to-Back Overall
Mille Johnset topped the women’s field on a track she’s been looking forward to returning to. The win also locks up the Crankworx DH Series Championship title for her for the second year in a row. Taylor Ostgaard held onto second, 14.204 seconds back, with Isla O’Connor rounding out the podium in third, still chasing Queen of Crankworx points down the stretch of the season.
Tegan Cruz’s Statement Run
The men’s race came down to a wild run order. Jake Polito, nursing a big crash from Friday’s practice and starting from a low position, held the provisional hot seat for most of the field before Henry Sherry – slower through the top section but faster where it counted at the bottom – bumped him off top spot. Nicolas Brochet crashed hard mid-run but still salvaged a time good enough for a brief spell in third. Then Tegan Cruz dropped in and changed the conversation, putting down a smooth, powerful run built on pedal strength to take over the hot seat for good. Local hero Tristan Lemire came within 3.758 seconds but couldn’t get by. Dane Jewett, still to come, threaded a run that looked almost effortless despite the mud, ruts, and loose rock, edging into second by just 0.084 seconds and bumping Lemire to third. Top seed Kasper Woolley carried a strong top section into the rock garden, where a slip ended his podium hopes and dropped him to 12th.
Crankworx MSA Downhill podium:
- Tegan Cruz (CAN) – 3:26.220 // Mille Johnset (NOR) – 4:08.232
- Dane Jewett (CAN) – 3:26.304 // Taylor Ostgaard (USA) – 4:22.436
- Tristan Lemire (CAN) – 3:29.978 // Isla O’Connor (CAN) – 4:33.840
Full results: crankworx.com/results
By the time the last riders crossed the line, the crowd lining that final full-pedal stretch hadn’t thinned a bit, capping a fast, hard-fought day of racing at the first-ever Crankworx Mont-Sainte-Anne.
First Official North American Whip-Off Champions
Crankworx also crowned the winners of the inaugural Official North American Whip-Off Championships presented by RAG today. In front of an electric crowd, Mille Johnset took another gold medal in her first-ever Whip-Off competition, with Chase Riggs took the men’s title, with Chase Riggs winning on the men’s side.
More Racing Ahead
Downhill and the inaugural North American Whip-Off Championships presented by RAG are in the books, but Sunday brings a triple-header: Dual Slalom, Air DH presented by Velosolutions Canada on the brand-new Air Québec track, and the first-ever Slopestyle Super League Finals will take over the iconic venue.
While the action is best experienced on site, today’s Downhill racing is available as a full broadcast replay on the Crankworx YouTube channel, and tomorrow’s Slopestyle Super League Finals will stream live there too. Or better yet, come see it in person – the action continues on site tomorrow.
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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