Crankworx – What is it and why it should be on your bucket list
The next round of the Crankworx World Tour takes place on the 19th – 28th July in Whistler, Canada.
Here’s our short Singletrack guide to Crankworx.
Crankworx is no ordinary mountain biking festival; it’s a mecca for MTB enthusiasts from around the globe. This high-energy event brings together some of the world’s best riders, jaw-dropping stunts, and an unbeatable vibe, making it a must-attend for any off-road riding fan. But what makes Crankworx so special? Let’s take a laid-back ride through its origins and what makes this event the heart and soul of mountain biking for so many riders and fans.
The roots of Crankworx can be traced back to the summer of 2004 in the mountain town of Whistler, British Columbia. Whistler is already legendary for its mountain terrain, but the founders of Crankworx sought to elevate it to new heights. Combining their passion for mountain biking with a desire to showcase the incredible talent within the community, they created Crankworx—an event that promised thrills, spills, and a whole lot of epic riding.
From its humble beginnings, Crankworx quickly gained momentum. The inaugural event set the tone with a lineup of slopestyle, downhill, and enduro races that left spectators and participants alike in awe. The atmosphere was electric, with riders pushing boundaries and spectators cheering on every whip, flip and superman. It didn’t take long for Crankworx to become established as a major celebration of mountain biking culture.
What makes Crankworx unique is its commitment to inclusivity and community. It’s more than just a series of competitions; it’s a gathering of like-minded individuals who share a love for the sport. Whether you’re a pro rider, an amateur enthusiast, or just someone who appreciates the adrenaline rush of mountain biking, Crankworx welcomes you with open arms. The event features a variety of competitions that cater to different skill levels, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. From kids’ races to elite pro events, Crankworx celebrates the entire spectrum of mountain biking.
Over the years, Crankworx has expanded its reach beyond Whistler, creating a global tour that includes stops in some of the most iconic mountain biking destinations around the world. Places like Rotorua in New Zealand, Les Gets in France, and Innsbruck in Austria now host their own Crankworx festivals, each adding their unique flavor to the event. The global tour ensures that no matter where you are, you can experience the magic of Crankworx.
In addition to the heart-pounding competitions, Crankworx also offers plenty of opportunities for fans to get involved. There’s a wide range of activities and workshops, from skills clinics with top riders to photography and videography sessions that help capture the essence of the event. Not to mention the expo areas, where you can check out the latest gear, bikes, and accessories, often with chances to meet and greet with the pros.
So, why should Crankworx be on your radar? It’s simple: it’s the ultimate celebration of everything that makes mountain biking awesome. With its roots firmly planted in the rich soil of Whistler and branches stretching out across the globe, Crankworx continues to grow, evolve, and ignite the passion of riders and fans alike. Whether you’re there to compete, to watch, or just soak in the vibrant atmosphere, you’re in for an unforgettable ride.
Crankworx images over the years
Crankworx Whistler 2024: An Outlook on Events, Athletes & More
With three festivals of the 2024 Crankworx World Tour in the books, the mountain bike world gears up for the grand final in Whistler, taking place July 19-28. Returning to where it all started 20 years ago, the 10-day event will once again host a full array of mountain bike events for pro and amateur athletes, bringing together competitors from across the globe in British Columbia.
An Action-Packed Lineup of Events
The action kicks off with three Downhill events: the RockShox Canadian Open DH on Sunday, July 21, followed by the return of an athlete favourite, the Garbanzo DH on Tuesday, July 23, and the AirDH on Wednesday, July 24. With a new location at the bottom of the Boneyard close to Skiers Plaza, the Official Whip-Off World Championships presented by POC will take place on Wednesday alongside the AirDH. The festival then shifts into head-to-head racing mode on Thursday with the Specialized Dual Slalom and some chainless action at the Ultimate Pump Track Challenge.
The week culminates in a riveting second weekend. On Friday, July 26, the Outdoor Research Speed & Style adds another layer to side-by-side racing, challenging athletes to convince the judges with a combination of fast riding and stylish tricks. Crowds are expected to flood into the Boneyard at Whistler Mountain Bike Park on Saturday to witness the world’s best Slopestyle athletes at Red Bull Joyride. A favourite of fans and riders alike, this major Slopestyle event will feature four Canadian athletes among the world’s greatest, competing in a yet-to-be-revealed course for the gold medal in this prestigious showdown. The festival closes out on Sunday, July 28, with the Canadian Open Enduro, showcasing the best of Whistler’s rooty, coastal rainforest and the challenging scree steeps of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. SponsorshipX is returning to Crankworx Whistler as one of the pristine side events, taking place from July 25-27 under the theme of “The Future of Brand Championships”.
All events will take place in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, with the exception of the RockShox Canadian Open DH which will be held at Creekside. For the best viewer experience, limited VIP passes are available online for the RockShox Canadian Open DH and Red Bull Joyride. These passes offer unobstructed views, complimentary refreshments, and a selection of mouthwatering savoury and sweet treats to top off your exclusive VIP experience on site.
Mountain Biking is for Everyone
With a total of four Adaptive mountain bike events, Crankworx Whistler strives to be inclusive of athletes with disabilities. For the first time ever, two Downhill events will take place with one Flow and one Tech option. The Specialized Dual Slalom will also host an adaptive category, and two community events, the Adaptive Jam on Wednesday, July 24, and the Adaptive MTB XC Ride on Thursday July 25, will round out the lineup.
Crankworx is also looking to foster the next generation of mountain bike athletes with the special Kidsworx program. Since introducing Kidsworx to the Crankworx World Tour in 2013, participation has exploded with kids joining in on fun clinics, training programs and their first race experiences within the Crankworx framework.
Taking a stance on inclusion and diversity in the mountain bike industry, Crankworx is proud to partner with the Grow Cycling Foundation. With Aspire, the Grow Cycling Foundation aims to revolutionize the typical conference landscape by putting young athletes, families, and underrepresented communities in the audience and current athletic superstars on stage. Aspire will take place within the frame of Crankworx Whistler on Monday, July 22, at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.
Athletes To Watch at Crankworx Whistler
While Crankworx Whistler is proud to unite the world’s best mountain bike athletes, the festival also provides a stage for local stars to shine. The Jewett brothers, Jakob and Dane, Tegan Cruz, Bas Van Steenbergen, Georgia Astle, Danielle Bordeleau, Bailey Goldstone, and Kirsten Van Horne are among the stellar lineup of BC-based athletes competing at this year’s festival. With Griffin Paulson, Chance Moore, Ben Thompson, Natasha Miller, and Max Langille, five BC-based athletes will be among the top riders dropping in at Red Bull Joyride, just to tease a few of the star-studded field. This multitude of top athletes from British Columbia is a testament to the flourishing mountain bike community and opportunities for young athletes in the province.
In the battle for the esteemed King & Queen of Crankworx title, an award worth CAD 20,000 per crown, the top three men and women have been established early this season. In the women’s rankings, Jordy Scott, Martha Gill, and Shania Rawson are battling for the crown across a variety of disciplines. After a slower start to the season in Rotorua, Scott caught up Gill during Crankworx Innsbruck earlier in June. Rawson, who is competing in the full Crankworx World Tour for the first time in her career, is currently sitting in the promising third rank despite her underdog status. This year’s King of Crankworx standings have been dominated by Ryan Gilchrist who had a fantastic season across the board, followed by the reigning king Tuhoto-Ariki Pene, and fellow Australian Jackson Frew. Points for this esteemed category can be earned by riders across all events who compete in at least two disciplines.
Another exciting layer to the Crankworx World Tour is the Triple Crown of Slopestyle, awarded if an athlete can grab three gold medals within a Slopestyle World Championship (SWC) season. For the first time ever, women are not only competing in all Slopestyle events but are also eligible for this title, worth CAD 25,000 David Godziek, bagging gold medals in Cairns and Innsbruck, and Robin Goomes, who earned her two golds in Rotorua and Innsbruck, are vying to secure this year’s Triple Crown of Slopestyle. For both, these are their first SWC gold medals, and it is safe to say that they are hungry for the big overall prize. Stay tuned at @crankworx and crankworx.com as the full lineup of athletes will be announced later this week!
One thing is clear, the event and athlete lineup for the 2024 Crankworx Whistler festival look sublime. The official preliminary rider lists for all events will be published within the next few days and the full schedule can be found online.
Fans in the area and across the globe are not to miss this staple on the mountain bike calendar. Taking place from July 19-28, Crankworx Whistler offers a variety of events to spectators and athletes on site. Anyone who can’t travel to the festival can watch key events live and on demand on Red Bull TV.
Links:
- Crankworx Whistler Schedule: https://www.crankworx.com/schedule/#whistler
- VIP Passes: https://www.crankworx.com/whistler/passes/
- Athlete Registration: https://www.crankworx.com/athletes/locations/whistler/
- King & Queen of Crankworx standings: https://www.crankworx.com/results/series/
- Slopestyle World Championship standings: https://www.fmbworldtour.com/ranking/?series=24642
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