{"id":10253,"date":"2025-03-10T08:27:46","date_gmt":"2025-03-10T07:27:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/43ride.com\/en\/?p=10253"},"modified":"2025-03-10T08:29:16","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T07:29:16","slug":"new-courses-new-challenges-crankworx-rotorua-ends-with-a-bang-setting-the-stage-for-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/43ride.com\/en\/events\/2025\/new-courses-new-challenges-crankworx-rotorua-ends-with-a-bang-setting-the-stage-for-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"New Courses, New Challenges: Crankworx Rotorua Ends with a Bang, Setting the Stage for 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Crankworx Rotorua 2025 wrapped up with high-speed head-to-head action at the Specialized Dual Slalom, as athletes tackled a brand-new, repurposed Speed & Style course at Skyline Rotorua. The challenging terrain and uncertain bike choice made for an intense day of racing, pushing riders to their limits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Clint Trahan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Caroline Buchanan Takes Gold Over Jordy Scott<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the\u00a0women’s final,\u00a0former Queen of Crankworx Caroline Buchanan\u00a0faced\u00a0Jordy Scott\u00a0in a dramatic battle.\u00a0Scott held a 0.237-second advantage going into the second run, but Buchanan’s\u00a0acceleration in the final flat section\u00a0proved too strong, allowing her to clinch victory. Adding to her\u00a0remarkable win, Buchanan was forced to\u00a0race on an unfamiliar bike\u00a0after her\u00a0Dual Slalom bike was stolen just a week before\u00a0arriving in Rotorua.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This course was so technical. Shark fin features that really threw a different element to the racing today.\u00a0<\/p>Caroline Buchanan<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Caroline Buchanan \/ photo: Clint Trahan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The small final saw Pump Track Champion Sabina Ko\u0161\u00e1rkov\u00e1 grab her second bronze medal of the festival, after also finishing third in the Pump Track Challenge earlier this week. In her first-ever Crankworx Dual Slalom, Ko\u0161\u00e1rkov\u00e1 defeated young Canadian Slopestyle standout Natasha Miller, who slipped on the final left-hand berm, sealing Ko\u0161\u00e1rkov\u00e1’s podium spot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women’s Top 5:\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Caroline Buchanan (AUS)\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Jordy Scott (USA)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Sabina Ko\u0161\u00e1rkov\u00e1\u00a0(CZE)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Natasha Miller (CAN)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Laura Smulders (NED)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Ryan Gilchrist Defends 2024 Victory\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    In a nail-biting gold medal battle against Sam Blenkinsop, Ryan Gilchrist emerged victorious despite a\u00a0tricky first run\u00a0where he nearly missed the final gates.\u00a0Gilchrist\u00a0came back strong, laying down the\u00a0fastest time of the day\u00a0at\u00a019.961 seconds – a significant gap over the\u00a0second fastest run by Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (20.305s). With this,\u00a0he secured back-to-back victories\u00a0in Rotorua, defending his\u00a02024 Specialized Dual Slalom gold and once again displayed his prowess and pedal-power. Kiwi rider Sam Blenkinsop showcased that after several years of racing within the Crankworx circuit, he is still a force to be reckoned with and not to be counted out of the battle for the 2025 crown.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Photo: Clint Trahan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    In the bronze medal match, Gilchrist’s YETI teammate Richie Rude faced off against local hero and 2023 King of Crankworx, Tuhoto-Ariki Pene. Pene, in a dramatic turn, missed the final gates and was disqualified, awarding Rude with a bronze medal in his first-ever Crankworx Dual Slalom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Men’s Podium:\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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    1. Ryan Gilchrist (AUS)\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Sam Blenkinsop (NZL)\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Richie Rude (USA)\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (NZL)\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Tegan Cruz (CAN)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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      Dual Slalom podium \/ photo: Clint Trahan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Full results:\u00a0click here<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      With Rotorua kicking off the 2025 Specialized Dual Slalom Series, riders will now shift their focus to three more thrilling stops: <\/p>\n\n\n\n