Recap: Crankworx Summer Series 2023 in Wānaka

The ultimate mountain bike road trip has returned to New Zealand for the second time in two years and Wānaka was proud to host two out of the four disciplines at our stunning Bike Glendhu and Cardrona Bike. We’re talking Crankworx World Tour calibre competition with a grassroots vibe, paving a pathway for future shredders while having only good times along the way.

The Crankworx World Tour is one of the most celebrated mountain bike events in the world, drawing thousands of spectators and top tier racers to its signature locations: Europe, Rotorua NZ, its origin Whistler, BC and recent addition Cairns, Australia.

Crankworx Summer Series is similarly structured to the World Tour and is set over a number of weeks in towns across a particular mountain biking region. 2022 saw successful events in Silver Star, BC and Quebec, Montreal. You may remember Crankworx Summer Series flagship event in Central Otago in 2021, deemed such a success and paved the way for Summer Series as we know it.

Now that the dust has settled on the Summer Series in Wanaka, we reflect on what went down in our backyard.

Second place getter and Kiwi world cup racer Tuhoto-Ariki Pene, described it best: “It’s a fast, kind of BMX-y type of track.” Penne said. “It’s the type of track where you need to fully commit to those corners otherwise you’re at the back.”

Heavy rain overnight made the track super dialled for finals, providing tacky, hero dirt with picturesque snow capped mountains – a dream for riders and photographers alike! By the time the ladders started in the afternoon, the sun was out and the track turned into quite the watch party with tunes, booch and beers from local businesses, and spectators amping to catch the photo finishes, of which there were a few!

Catch the full re-play here!

The theme of precipitation from the Bike Glendhu Dual Slalom continued with heavy rain and a dramatic lightning storm in between qualifying and finals, leaving riders with uncertainty of how the race will pan out.

For U17 rider and local Finn Almog, when asked if he was scared of the challenging conditions, he had to say: “I was more scared the race would be cancelled and I would have to go to school!” Fortunately for Finn, the weather needle was thread and the sun made a guest appearance, shining down on the slippery wet rocks and making the mud gleam, especially on riders faces as they crossed the finish line!

Former World Cup racer and celebrated legend Tracey Hannah who took gold in the Elite females, couldn’t speak any higher of Cardrona Bike and the track. “I’m super stoked to be here, it was a last minute decision to come, but I am so glad I did! It’s such a good race to start the Crankworx season and Cardrona is such a fun place, I’ve never been here!”

And one of the best parts for riders, spectators and volunteers with bikes? Being able to ride down the famous Peak-to-Pub track to Cardrona Hotel, for a hard earned beer in the beautiful gardens. Which is exactly what most involved in the DH did.

Catch the full re-play here!