{"id":6328,"date":"2020-03-01T15:58:46","date_gmt":"2020-03-01T14:58:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/43ride.com\/en\/?p=6328"},"modified":"2025-10-21T11:42:58","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T09:42:58","slug":"kiwis-kick-off-crankworx-rotorua-with-wins-in-asia-pacific-enduro-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/43ride.com\/en\/events\/2020\/kiwis-kick-off-crankworx-rotorua-with-wins-in-asia-pacific-enduro-series\/","title":{"rendered":"Kiwis kick off Crankworx Rotorua with wins in Asia-Pacific Enduro Series"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Through sweat and dust, two non-local Kiwis rose to the challenge to take the win in the first event of Crankworx Rotorua 2020. Wellington\u2019s Rae Morrison accomplished total stage domination, while New Plymouth\u2019s Eddie Masters took four out of six stages over the course of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ed Masters \/ photo: Kike Abelleira<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Giant Toa Enduro presented by CamelBak, top three:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. \nEdward Master NZL 18:52.71 \/ Rae Morrison NZL 22:42.16<\/li>
  2. \nCole Lucas NZL 18:58.62 \/ Kate Weatherly NZL 23:53.37<\/li>
  3. \nMatt Walker NZL 19:11.52 \/ Georgia Astle CAN 24:04.51<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    For Masters, the win starts his 2020 racing season on an extra high note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s such a roller coaster. I\u2019ve been injured for the past two off-seasons. I was just trying to keep up with the locals really. But I\u2019ve ridden here a few times, so I kind of knew the stages. And it\u2019s really nice to race here when it\u2019s not wet. Last two years it\u2019s been super wet. So that was mint. <\/p>– Ed Masters<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"
    Cole Lucas \/ photo: Kike Abelleira<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    For 30-year-old Pivot Factory racer 2019 season ended early in August after a crash at the Enduro World Series in Northstar. He said he\u2019s only been back for three weeks, so he rode into today without any expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And while great, Masters said the heat certainly added to the challenge right up \u2018til the end of the day where racers faced a steep chute on Tuhoto Ariki and Kataore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I was sweating so much. Way more than I could take in. And then I cramped up so hard. So I was just stoked to get to the bottom in one piece. Didn\u2019t have any crashes all day. That\u2019s what you want.<\/p>– Ed Masters<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"
    Matt Walker \/ photo: Kike Abelleira<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Rotorua experienced a dryer than average February, with drought conditions prevailing as the calendar rolled into March. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I\u2019m not going to lie, it was a lot hotter than we expected. 29-ish degrees today. But the trails in Rotorua always hold up pretty well, so they\u2019re always going to be good.<\/p>– Craig Murray, Race Director<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"
    Rae Morrison \/ photo: Kike Abelleira<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The last two times I\u2019ve raced here it\u2019s been really, really wet. So riding in the dry now it just feels like… you feel like a hero. Everything sticks. There\u2019s no sniper roots that\u2019re going to take your wheels out. I think it\u2019s the safest I\u2019ve felt riding here before.<\/p>

    I really enjoyed all the tracks and all the stages. A good mix of gravity and a few little climbs here and there. It was super fun. The liaisons were a bit of a challenge. They were quite tight – just kind of red-lining to make them, but apart from that, sick event. Absolutely amazing. I just had a great time. <\/p>– Rae Morrison<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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    Kate Weatherly \/ photo: Kike Abelleira<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    We wanted to send the riders into our native forest because there\u2019s some great technical trails and they\u2019ve got big roots, cool little chutes, and it\u2019s a bit different than some of the enduro races that we\u2019ve had over the past season.<\/p>– Craig Murray, Race Director<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"
    Martha Gill \/ photo: Kike Abelleira<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Today’s race consisted of six stages that saw racers pedal 31.5 k.m. and climb 1,318 m over the course of the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    FULL RESULTS: Giant Toa Enduro presented by CamelBak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"
    Giant TOA Enduro podium: 2. Cole Lucas, Kate Weatherly, 1. Rae Morrison, Ed Masters, 3. Georgia Astle, Matt Walker \/ photo: Kike Abelleira<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Next up, Crankworx action moves to Skyline Rotorua, with the\nRotorua Air DH presented by Bosch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Keep up with all the action from the Crankworx World Tour on Crankworx.com<\/a>, including LIVE event coverage, schedule and broadcast info, tickets, event details, and results from across the tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can also follow along at RedBull.com\/Crankworx, including LIVE coverage on Red Bull TV of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n