This weekend, athletes and fans from around the world will descend upon Whistler in celebration of all things mountain bike from August 8 to 17. Comebacks, rivalries and high stakes - they all come together during Crankworx. The energy of competition becomes especially palpable during some of the fan-favorite events that take place over the 10-day tournament, including the CLIF Bar Dual Speed & Style, the Official Whip-Off World Championships or the Ultimate Pump Track Challenge. Entering into its second decade, the events are drumming up some major excitement ahead of mountain biking’s defining celebration. Let's have a look at some of the 'hot' races Whistler has to offer.
Mid-day on August 9, the first Saturday of competition, the CLIF Bar Dual Speed & Style will kick things into high gear. It takes brains and brawn to top the podium in this unique format - things that Cam Zink (USA) had in spades during his recent win in Les 2 Alpes. Zink will be trying to take the momentum from France and use it to his advantage in Whistler.
“It gives me a lot of confidence for sure. Not necessarily in my skill in racing or tricks, but just that my head is working well. It's a huge mental game and takes a lot of focus,” says Zink of the win.
The mix of speed, style and strategy required for the event is a unique one - an invitational field of riders compete head-to-head on tricked-out dual tracks. Fastest down wins the speed points, but racers can earn a time credit for the level of trick difficulty in their run. Other than the two Crankworx competitions, only one other professional-level Speed and Style event takes place elsewhere - and the winner of the 2013 Sea Otter Classic Speed and Style, Barry Nobles (USA), will be competing in his first Crankworx.
Further into the festivities, one of the most highly anticipated events of the festival will take to the airspace above Crabapple Hits on Thursday, August 14. The Official Whip-Off World Championships will bring together the best sideways riders in the biz for this invitational event. Some of the top competitors set to whip so far include the second place finisher in the Spank Official European Whip-Off Championship in Les 2 Alpes, Bernard Kerr (GBR), as well as Graham Agassiz (CAN), Brendan Fairclough (GBR), Danny Hart (GBR), Eliot Jackson (USA), Andrew Lacondeguy (ESP), Tyler McCaul (USA), Thomas Vanderham (CAN) and Cam Zink.
Another top competitor, and consistent fan favorite, is the Crankworx Whistler incumbent from 2013 - Bernardo Cruz (BRA) recently came in third behind Neil Stewart (GBR) and Bernard Kerr in Les 2 Alpes. As far as his strategy to repeat last year, he’s staying true to the roots and essence of the sport.
“My plan its very simple. Do what I always do - whip it,” says Cruz.
When the sun sets on all the day’s whip action there will still be much excitement to come. The evening of Thursday, August 14 will see a stacked field of competitors descend on the Crankworx pump track for the Ultimate Pump Track Challenge presented by RockShox. Competitors lined up to compete include Brendan Fairclough and Matt Walker (AUS), who finished first and second in the Crankworx Les 2 Alpes pump track competition, Paul Basagoitia, winner of the Sea Otter pump track plus two-time Crankworx Slopestyle champ, Troy Brosnan (AUS), who currently sits atop the World Cup Downhill standings, Adrien Loron (FRA), winner for both Crankworx pump track events in 2013, and Mitch Ropelato (USA) who won the event for three years straight until he was unseated by Loron last year - and that’s just the men.
“I'm looking forward to the pump track so much as it's an event unique only to Crankworx!! Last year battling with Caroline [Buchanan (AUS)] under the lights was a highlight for sure. The more technical the course with more turns the better it is for me. I love when there are good combos so not everyone is doing the same think,” says Jill Kintner (USA), who has sat atop the ladies’ pump track podium for the last four years.
To top it all, the Redbull Joyride , part of the FMB Diamond Series, one of only five worldwide is the largest spectacle during Crankworx, bringing the 10 days of mountain bike revelry to a climax in a thunderous roar of oohs and ahhs. The best riders in the world bring their A-game to this invitational showcase, interpreting a custom-built course that melds natural terrain with impressive man-made features. The question is, will Brandon Semenuk defend his 2013 title?
Whether competitors have their sights set on a repeat, a re-match or are getting ready to drop-in to the Whistler Mountain Bike Park for their first Crankworx, one thing is certain - the 11th year of North America’s largest freeride festival will be the thing to watch from August 8 to 17.
Those who can't be present can watch live webcasts here.
Full details and schedule information for all the events can be found at event's website.
Photos: © Crankworx, copyright applied.
Source: http://www.crankworx.com
