The twelfth edition of Crankworx Rotorua came to a thrilling close on Sunday with a double-header finale at Skyline Rotorua. Earlier in the day, the Crankworx Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza crowned two new winners, with rookie Johanna Nussbaumer breaking through in her first-ever Diamond-level competition and David Godziek once again proving nearly untouchablein slopestyle competition.
As the sun began to set over Skyline Rotorua, the five-day festival concluded with the Elite Finals of the Crankworx Rotorua Dual Slalom. Set against stunning views of the Whakarewarewa Forest and Lake Rotorua, fans lined the challenging side-by-side course as riders attacked the track with high speeds, momentum, and razor-sharp technique. After a week packed with sunshine, festival energy, and world-class racing, the Dual Slalom delivered a fitting final showdown.
Jordi Scott Claims First Gold of the Season
The women’s bracket built toward an exciting final between two of the sport’s biggest names. In the semifinals, reigning Queen of Crankworx Jordi Scott edged out Louise Ferguson to advance to the gold medal match, where she faced local downhill star Jenna Hastings.
The final proved to be a tight battle, with both riders pushing hard through the berms and rhythm sections. In the end, Scott held the advantage, crossing the line 0.117 seconds ahead of Hastings to secure her first Crankworx gold medal of the season.
The small final saw Matilda Melton continue her strong showing in Rotorua, defeating Louise Ferguson by 1.351 seconds who had taken a tumble in the first run. Matilda Melton added another silver medal to her Rotorua haul after already claiming second place earlier in the week at the Air DH presented by Rotorua Canopy Tours.
Gilchrist Dominates Men’s Finals
The men’s competition was equally action-packed. In the semifinals, Ryan Gilchrist delivered one of the standout performances of the day, defeating teammate and friend Richie Rude by a commanding 2.486 seconds to secure his spot in the gold medal match-up.
Awaiting him was Tegan Cruz, who had battled his way through the bracket with impressive speed and control. Cruz came out firing in the first run of the final, showing he is a serious contender on this challenging Dual Slalom course, but Ryan Gilchrist’s experience and impeccable technique ultimately proved decisive. Over the two runs, the two-time King of Crankworx built enough of a margin to claim victory by 0.714 seconds. In the bronze medal match-up, Richie Rude faced Dane Jewett in another tight duel. Jewett ultimately secured third place, marking his best Dual Slalom result to date.
Crankworx Rotorua Dual Slalom – Top 5:
- Ryan Gilchrist (AUS) // Jordi Scott (USA)
- Tegan Cruz (CAN) // Jenna Hastings (NZL)
- Dane Jewett (CAN) // Matilda Melton (USA)
- Richie Rude (USA) // Louise Ferugson (GBR)
- Jackson Frew (AUS) // Martha Gill (GBR)
Full results: crankworx.com/results
King & Queen Standings Update
With the second stop of the 2026 Crankworx World Tour now complete, the King & Queen of Crankworx standings are beginning to take shape.
In the Queen of Crankworx race, Jenna Hastings moves into the lead with 496 points, followed by Sabina Košárková (450 points). With some distance but still well within striking range, reigning Queen Jordi Scott currently sits in third place with 191 points.
On the men’s side, the King of Crankworx standings show one clear leader. Two-time King of Crankworx Ryan Gilchrist sits comfortably at the top with 531 points, while Tegan Cruz follows with 338 points. After strong performances in both New Zealand Pump Track Challenges, Dan Butterworth currently holds third place with 205 points.
With several festivals still ahead, everything remains possible in the race for the King and Queen crowns as the tour continues.
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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