Day one of the 2nd edition of Crankworx, Rotorua got off to a stunning start yesterday.
It kicked off early in the Whakarewarewa forest with the Giant Toa Enduro. The race had six stages on the iconic redwood trails before transferring to the Skyline bike park for the final stage.
Rotorua Redwoods – Stage 3 – Rollercoaster…..Enduro racing and pan shots are so hot right now
The Kiwi contingent in the field were on fire all day with local rider Carl Jones leading the way through the first few stages before mistakes on stage 5 (K2) and stage 7 cost him the lead. Eddie Masters made a storming comeback to steal 2nd spot on the podium after a bad start on stage 1. But in the end it was Kawerau’s Matt Walker who held off the challengers to take an impressive win, showing that consistency pays off, as he was never out of the top 2 till the final stage.
Cube rider Matt Walker was fast and smooth all day taking the win for NZ
Eddie Masters on his way to 2nd place – think he had a fair few laughs on the way too
In the women’s event Wellington’s Rae Morrison and local girl Annika Smail spent the day chasing down last year’s Queen of Crankworx Anneke Beerten, the three of them shared the stage wins between them all day but it was the dutch rider who held on to take the win, with Rae taking 2nd and Annika 3rd.
Rotorua girl Annika Smail was on point all day finishing 3rd with 2 stage wins
GT Factory team rider Anneke Beerten held off the Kiwi girls to take the win – Image: Bejon Haskell
Rae Morrison finished 2nd showing that she is going to be a threat on this year’s EWS with her new team Lapierre Gravity Republic
Just as the excitement of the enduro started to die down the whip off qualifying started on the new monster jump in the arena.
After the huge crows was entertained by hundreds of whips, flips, jump trains and crashes the judges gave the win to last years champ and style master Ryan Howard. Casey Brown took the women’s crown showing the local Rotorua girls how to step up and send it with the boys.
Tyler McCaul oozing moto-style on his way to 2nd place
Brendog trying to impress both judges and the photographers
Blenki backed up a big day in the enduro with a heavy session in the whip off taking 3rd
Casey Brown had it dialled in all night….
R-Dog just had too much steeze for everyone else
Does my arse look good from here Zach? R-Dog getting it beyond sideways
