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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tyler McCaul oozing moto-style on his way to 2nd place


Brendog trying to impress both judges and the photographers 

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

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....

Casey Brown had it dialled in all night….


R-Dog just had too much steeze for everyone else 

R-Dog just had too much steeze for everyone else 


Does my arse look good from here Zach? R-Dog getting it beyond sideways

Does my arse look good from here Zach? R-Dog getting it beyond sideways

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