A bomb of negative information was dropped by the team at Crankworx.
Just as this year’s event was about to kick off, everyone was advised that the men would not participate in 2024 Rotorua event. The women are amazing, but the men are the main event. Spectators who had come from all over the country and even from overeas were gutted to know – just before the event was to start that the main spectacle, the men, would not be taking place. It is not Adventures’ stance to get involved in the sporting politics, but we can say that in all our dealings with Crankworx, they have been amazing and done so much for MTB worldwide. Every sporting body has issues at some stage or another, but pulling the pin so close to the main event when fans and families have already committed to being there. Didn’t build a lot of ground support.
This is what Crankworx released to the press:
“The male competitors of the Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship event on Sunday, March 24, have decided not to participate in this year’s competition. This decision came after a series of negotiations aimed at addressing Rider requests around remuneration and support infrastructure.
We are committed to delivering an exceptional experience at Crankworx Rotorua, with a full schedule of events still set to go ahead. This includes the first ever Women’s Diamond Level Slopestyle World Championship event, along with other competitive and community events that celebrate the rich culture of mountain biking, giving the next generation a platform to ride and compete.
But the show must go on.
The flagship event for Crankworx 2024 then became the monumental Diamond Level Women’s Slopestyle World Championship event,
Burbidge-Smith and Blewitt delight crowds at opening 2024 Crankworx stop in Rotorua.
The 2024 Crankworx World Tour stop in Rotorua finished on Sunday, March 24, with Harriet Burbidge-Smith claiming a slopestyle second place following the elite downhill podium finish for home favourite Jess Blewitt last Sunday in New Zealand. Here is all you need to know:
SUNDAY
Australian Burbidge-Smith ended on a high with an impressive second place at the inaugural Diamond Level Women’s Slopestyle World Championship event. Home rider Robin Goomes claimed victory with a 90.75 score, and Australian Caroline Buchanan finished in third place.
– After their initial runs, close friends Goomes and Burbidge-Smith – who trained together in preparation for the event – opted for a ‘party train’ for their second and final run led by the Australian.
– Burbidge-Smith, 27, said: “I think the first run was definitely something I knew I could do consistently, which is what I wanted to do. And I was really happy with it. So stoked! And after that, it was just like, I don’t think I had the next five points in me after this week. I had a couple of crashes and talked to Robin up top.”
SUNDAY
The March 17 downhill racing kicked off a week of action at Crankworx Rotorua, and in the women’s elite race, the home crowd had plenty to cheer as Kiwi riders dominated proceedings.
– Shania Rawson was the first home rider to get the crowd off their feet as she went fastest, but her lead didn’t last long as fellow Kiwi Blewitt produced a lightning-quick run to take the lead by almost five seconds.
Blewitt then watched on as her compatriot Eliana Hulsebosch rocketed down the track, delivering a faultless run that saw her finish almost six seconds clear of second place.
– Blewitt, 21, said: “Honesty, I haven’t got much left in the tank, so I’m just stoked to see Eliana get the win. When I first started racing, there weren’t many girls competing, so it’s good to see more young riders and see how the sport has grown.”
