{"id":6379,"date":"2020-03-07T17:39:38","date_gmt":"2020-03-07T16:39:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/43ride.com\/en\/?p=6379"},"modified":"2025-10-21T11:42:59","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T09:42:59","slug":"era-of-emil-rolls-on-as-johansson-starts-2020-with-win-at-crankworx-rotorua","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/43ride.com\/en\/events\/2020\/era-of-emil-rolls-on-as-johansson-starts-2020-with-win-at-crankworx-rotorua\/","title":{"rendered":"Era of Emil rolls on as Johansson starts 2020 with win at Crankworx Rotorua"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As Emil Johansson (SWE) entered the finish corral after his second run in a victory train with fellow Red Bull athlete Erik Fedko (GER), his win secured, the on-site announcer coined a new term: it seems we\u2019ve entered the \u201cEra of Emil.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor me, when it comes to riding, I just enjoy what I do and I take it serious when it comes to preparation for an event such as this with such a high risk,\u201d<\/em> said the 20-year-old, who finished last season on a winning note at Red Bull Joyride at Crankworx Whistler, and is now starting his 2020 season on the same.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Emil Johansson \/ photo: Kike Abelleira<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His winning score of 96 in the Maxxis Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza was classic Emil. Flowy and trick-heavy, it even featured two tricks \u201cnew out of my pocket\u201d: a 360 windshield wiper and a switch triple-whip.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Swedish rider said his focus at this stage in his riding and life is on keeping progression going and having fun on bikes. \u201cI think we\u2019re looking at a great few years ahead.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Thomas Genon \/ photo: Kike Abelleira<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s something the young rider has certainly earned. In 2017, his star was undeniably on the rise. That year, his first on the Crankworx World Tour, he earned three podiums, starting off with a third place in Rotorua and ending with a second place at Red Bull Joyride.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then everything changed. An auto-immune disease struck, taking Johansson down, to a point where he wasn\u2019t sure if he\u2019d recover, or ever be able to ride competitively again. Eventually, a diagnosis came, followed by an uncertain road back. June of 2019 he returned to Crankworx competition in Innsbruck with a bang, coming in second. The fairy tale continued with his win in Whistler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One step down for him, a rider enjoying a comeback of a different sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nicholi Rogatkin (USA) had an uncharacteristic 2019. After becoming the very first rider in history to win the Triple Crown of Slopestyle, the American seemed unable to find his flow.\u00a0His top finish was fourth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Nicholi Rogatkin \/ photo: Kike Abelleira<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Last year I had some very unlucky moments here, and the whole season didn\u2019t really go my way, so I\u2019m really stoked to get some redemption and get back up on the podium here in Rotorua. It\u2019s one of my favourite places. The first ever place I won a Crankworx event. It honestly feels amazing. I\u2019m so stoked.<\/p>– Nicholi Rogatkin<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Rogatkin\u2019s podium finish today was hard fought. He seemed on his game on his first run, but his attempted front flip tailwhip on the McGazza money booter ended in an explosion of dust in the finish corral. He fared better on his second, scoring a 93, enough to bump Fedko into third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And while Fedko\u2019s 90.25 wasn\u2019t able to withstand Rogatkin, the German was all smiles. Today marks his third third place podium at Crankworx, the other two coming in Les Gets and Whistler in 2018. Like Johansson\u2019s, Fedko\u2019s run also contained a first.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Erik Fedko \/ photo: Kike Abelleira<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Getting the run down was insane. I was so happy I couldn\u2019t believe it. I started off with a truck whip on the step down. It was my first ever landed truck whip on a step down, so I was so stoked on that. <\/p>– Erik Fedko<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

What followed was a clean and stylish run with some moves that have become his signature, including a three indian air on the big step up.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the second to last rider to drop in the second runs, the German rider had one more opportunity to push for more points. Instead, the crowd watched as the two athletes chatted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Tomas Lemoine \/ photo: Kike Abelleira<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I asked him \u2018Are you going to do a second run?. He was happy with third place, so we just did a train. It was sick. <\/p>– Emil Johansson<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

As soon as I knew I was still third I was like \u2018Yeah, let\u2019s cruise together. I\u2019m so happy for Emil. He deserves it.<\/p>– Erik Fedko<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Today\u2019s scores kick off the 2020 Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship (SWC) season, which will see riders meet again at Crankworx Innsbruck in June, and finish things off at the 10th anniversary Red Bull Joyride at Crankworx Whistler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, Johansson sets himself up as the only rider eligible in 2020 to win the elusive\nTriple Crown of Slopestyle<\/a> prize, on offer to any rider who can win all SWC contests in a season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FULL RESULTS<\/strong> – Maxxis Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. \nEmil JOHANSSON 96.00<\/li>
  2. \nNicholi ROGATKIN 93.00<\/li>
  3. \nErik FEDKO 90.25<\/li>
  4. \nTomas LEMOINE 88.25<\/li>
  5. \nJakub VENCL 85.00<\/li>
  6. \nThomas GENON 81.50<\/li>
  7. \nLucas HUPPERT 78.50<\/li>
  8. \nAlex ALANKO 77.00<\/li>
  9. \nLukas KNOPF 76.25<\/li>
  10. \nTimoth\u00e9 BRINGER 75.75<\/li>
  11. \nOwen MARKS 72.25<\/li>
  12. \nAnthony MESSERE 71.25<\/li>
  13. \nDawid GODZIEK 30.00<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"
    Maxxis Slopestyle in memory of McGazza podium: 2. Nicholi Rogatkin, 1. Emil Johansson, 3. Erik Fedko \/ photo: Kike Abelleira<\/figcaption><\/figure>\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