MTB
The first Crankworx mountain bike festival of 2024 saw huge crowd support during the first-ever Women’s Slopestyle World Championship. Here's who triumphed in New Zealand against wet and wild weather.
The 2024 Crankworx World Tour kicked off in style as a host of top-level mountain bike competitions took place in Rotorua, New Zealand. The weather might have been wet and wild on the country’s North Island but that didn’t stop the world-class riders from delivering some eye-catching performances.
Catch the replays from Crankworx Rotorua on Red Bull TV
- RockShox Taniwha Downhill, March 17 – watch the replay
- Crankworx Rotorua Speed & Style, March 22 – watch the replay
- Specialized Dual Slalom Rotorua, March 22 – watch the replay
- Crankworx Rotorua Pump Track Challenge, March 23 – watch the replay
- Maxxis Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza, March 24 – watch the replay
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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."
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.
Next up was Speed & Style, where Australian legend Buchanan delivered a dominant performance to claim top honors 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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The latest in the race to be King and Queen of Crankworx
With the first stop of the Crankworx Festivals now complete, the battle for the King and Queen of Crankworx overall competition is taking shape.
Currently, New Zealand’s Tuhoto-Ariki Pene and British athlete Matha Gill top the 2024 standings after impressive showings in Rotorua. Ariki Pene leads the King race with 302 points, with Australian Ryan Gilchrist in second on 269 and Canada’s Jakob Jewett in third with 240. Gill leads the Queen race with 345 points, but is just five points ahead of New Zealander Shania Rawson, while American Kialani Hines is in third on 240.
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Tell us more about where Crankworx Rotorua took place
Crankworx Rotorua took 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.
To watch all the action from Crankworx Rotorua simply download the free Red Bull TV app.
