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Crankworx Rotorua 2025: All you need to know
The world's best mountain bikers are back in Rotorua! The Crankworx World Tour 2025 kicks off with high-speed downhill runs, insane slopestyle tricks and fierce head-to-head battles.
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The Crankworx World Tour kicks off once again in 2025, and as always, it all starts in New Zealand. The first stop on this year's tour, Rotorua has cemented its place as a must-ride venue, drawing the world's best mountain bikers to its legendary dirt and world-class courses.
From high-speed downhill racing to massive slopestyle tricks, Crankworx Rotorua is where riders lay it all on the line to set the tone for the season ahead. The competition is fierce, the atmosphere is electric, and you can catch all the action from the Slopestyle, Pump Track, Downhill and Dual Slalom live on Red Bull TV.
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Where can I watch Crankworx Rotorua?
Selected competitions from each stop of the Crankworx World Tour will be shown live on Red Bull TV in all countries. Schedule details for Rotorua are as follows:
- Pump Track: March 7, 2025 from 6.30am UTC / 7.30pm NZT
- Downhill: March 8, 2025 from 1.30am UTC / 2.30pm NZT
- Slopestyle: March 8, 2025 from 9pm UTC / March 9 from 10am NZT
- Dual Slalom: March 9 from 3am UTC / 4pm NZT
Crankworx: Pump Track – Rotorua March 7, 2025:
Without a pedal stroke to give them momentum, riders must move their body to race through the course and outrun their competitors.
Crankworx: Downhill – Rotorua March 8, 2025:
A brand-new bespoke course for 2025 awaits riders at the RockShox Kārearea Downhill MTB race, taking place on Mount Ngongotaha at Skyline Rotorua.
Crankworx: Slopestyle – Rotorua March 8, 2025:
The invitation-only Maxxis Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza kicks off the Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship at Skyline Rotorua Gravity Park.
Crankworx: Dual Slalom – Rotorua March 9, 2025:
Two MTB riders go head to head in a race against the clock in a bid to avoid elimination. The Specialized Dual Slalom course features an array of jumps, berms, rhythm sections and grass turns.
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What happened at Crankworx Rotorua 2024?
Freeride mountain biking ushered in a new era as Robin Goomes emerged victorious in the first-ever Women’s Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship. Cheered on by a huge home crowd, the New Zealander’s first run score of 90.75 was enough to secure the landmark victory.
Australian Harriet Burbidge-Smith took second place thanks to a dazzling first run that scored 85.5 points, while compatriot Caroline Buchanan claimed the final spot on the podium thanks to a second run score of 80.25.
"There were so many little girls in the stands, there were so many spectators, so many people cheering," said Buchanan. "For me, growing up in BMX since the age of five, it’s really hard to be what you can’t see, so being seen I think is the most important thing right now for the future of women’s Slopestyle, and yeah, to be one of the older girls in the class at 33, still throwing down, this is probably one of my career highlights."
Burbidge-Smith, Robin Goomes and Caroline Buchanan celebrate on the podium
© Graeme Murray/Red Bull Content Pool
After withdrawing from the competition on Saturday, the male slopestyle riders were on hand to cheer on their female counterparts and honour the legacy of Kelly “McGazza” McGarry, one of New Zealand’s best slopestyle mountain bikers and track builders who died in 2016.
Earlier in the week, the action in Rotorua kicked off with the downhill event. There was a dominant showing from the home riders as New Zealand’s Lachlan Stevens-Mcnab won the men’s competition and compatriot Eliana Hulsebosch dominated the women’s race. There was also an impressive ride from another Kiwi as Jess Blewitt claimed second place.
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Top 3 Slopestyle runs – Rotorua
Here are the top 3 runs from the first-ever Women’s Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship in Rotorua.
Next up was Speed & Style, where Australian legend Buchanan delivered a dominant performance to claim top honours before American rider Garret Mechem secured victory in the men’s event. In the Dual Slalom there were wins for wins for Canada’s Jakob Jewett in the men’s race and Great Britain’s Martha Gill in the women’s.
Heavy rain showers then caused major delays but the weather eventually cleared and Canada’s Ryan Gilchrist triumphed in the men’s Pump Track event. American Kialani Hines secured victory in the women’s final as she edged out New Zealand’s Shania Rawson.
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Tell us more about where Crankworx Rotorua is taking place
Crankworx Rotorua takes place in and around Skyline Bike Park in Rotorua, New Zealand. A world-class riding destination, it is just a short journey from the renowned Redwood Trails in the Whakarewarewa Forest. The area is also known for its geothermal activity, which means you're bound to find some hot pools to rest those muscles should you visit the area and choose to ride.
The magic of Rotorua
© Sven Martin
To watch all the action from Crankworx Rotorua simply download the free Red Bull TV app.
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