Local Legends and Global Stars Collide: Pump Track Challenge Delivers High-Speed Battles at Skyline
Rotorua, New Zealand – After rain showers rolled through the night and into the morning, the Crankworx Rotorua Pump Track Challenge presented by The Rock fired up under clearing skies at Skyline Rotorua today. The chainless, head-to-head showdown proved once again why it’s one of the most electrifying events on the schedule, with hometown heroes squaring off against international heavyweights on a pump track that was running in prime condition despite the earlier drizzle.
Ryan Gilchrist (in black) and Josh Jolly (in turquoise) drop in for the Men’s Finals. (Photo by Clint Trahan)
Gilchrist Powers to Gold Again
The men’s showdown featured some of the sport’s most decorated names. Ryan Gilchrist once again showed why he’s a dominant force on the Pump Track. Gilchrist advanced through the rounds with authority, including a decisive semifinal victory over hometown hero and former King of Crankworx Tuhoto-Ariki Pene. Posting a blazing 1.714-second advantage, the Australian secured his spot in the gold medal match-up against Josh Jolly. When the dust settled, Gilchrist stood atop the podium once again, adding another gold medal to his historic Crankworx tally.
Ryan Gilchrist leads Josh Jolly in the Men’s Finals. (Photo by Clint Trahan)
The small final delivered a true Rotorua battle, with Tuhoto-Ariki Pene taking on fellow local Dan Butterworth. Pene held the edge in front of the home crowd, finishing with a 0.852-second advantage to claim bronze.
Pump Track Challenge – Men’s Podium
1. Ryan GILCHRIST (AUS)
2. Josh JOLLY (AUS)
3. Tuhoto-Ariki PENE (NZL)
Sabina Košárková Defeats Last Year’s Winner
The women’s field saw another high-intensity battle as riders chased valuable points toward the coveted Queen of Crankworx title – an overall crown awarded to the most versatile athlete across the multi-discipline Crankworx World Tour.
Defending champion Laura Smulders returned to the podium but had to settle for silver this time around. Sabina Košárková delivered the fastest runs of the day, claiming gold and taking the lead in the Queen of Crankworx standings.
Sabina Košárková (in the white jersey) and Laura Smulders drop into the women’s finals. (Photo by Clint Trahan)
The bronze medal match-up featured yet another Rotorua showdown, where local rider Megan Williams edged out Brooke Penny. With the crowd firmly behind her, Williams delivered a strong performance to secure the final spot on the podium – further proving that Rotorua continues to produce world-class mountain bike talent.
Sabina Košárková (in the rainbow-striped, white jersey) and Laura Smulders in black compete in the women’s finals. (Photo by Clint Trahan)
Pump Track Challenge – Women’s Podium
1. Sabina KOŠÁRKOVÁ (CZE)
2. Laura SMULDERS (NED)
3. Megan WILLIAMS (NZL)
(Center) Ryan Gilchrist and Sabina Košárková hold up their gold medals after their wins. (Left) Josh Jolly and Laura Smulders take second, and Tuhoto Ariki Pene and Megan Williams (on the right) place third. (Photo by Clint Trahan)
The champagne showers begin. (Photo by Clint Trahan)
Josh Jolly pours the rest of his champagne on Ryan Gilchrist, as the medalists pose for their final photos on the Pump Track Challenge podium. (Photo by Clint Trahan)
Looking Ahead: A Big Weekend Still to Come
The action at Crankworx Rotorua is far from over.
Tomorrow, the Specialized Kārearea Downhill Elite Finals drop in at 1:15 PM, with the live broadcast going global at 4 PM on the Crankworx YouTube channel and Pinkbike. Fans in Aotearoa can tune in via TVNZ+.
(Fans in the United States should know that New Zealand time is 20 hours ahead of California time, and on the other side of the International Date Line, so when it’s 10AM Friday in California, it’s 6AM Saturday in Rotorua, so you have to be careful with their talk of things happening “tomorrow.” It’s already Saturday in Rotorua.)
Sunday marks the grand finale of the twelfth edition of Crankworx Rotorua, delivering a massive double-header day. First up, the Crankworx Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza will see the world’s best riders take on one of the most iconic courses in mountain biking. The women’s competition will feature the most competitive female field ever assembled at a Diamond-level event, including Alma Wiggberg, Patricia Druwen, Robin Goomes, Harriet Burbidge-Smith, Shealen Reno, and Johanna Nussbaumer.
On the men’s side, Ōtautahi Slopestyle champion Erik Fedko will attempt to go back-to-back at the second stop of the Slopestyle Super League, against a stacked lineup featuring David Godziek, Nicholi Rogatkin, Paul Couderc, Lucas Huppert, Griffin Paulson, Chance Moore, Lukas Skiöld, Tobey Miley, Dane Folpp, and Jaden Chipman.
Closing out the festival will be the Crankworx Rotorua Dual Slalom Elite Finals, where riders will charge down the demanding course into the Skyline Rotorua arena for one final battle. In addition to Elite racing, the festival schedule offers Amateur and Youth disciplines, Kidsworx and a vibrant expo where fans cand dive into true festival vibes. Fans can experience the festival on site with passes available at crankworx.com/rotorua, while the Elite Finals of the Kārearea Downhill and the Slopestyle competition will stream globally on the Crankworx YouTube channel and Pinkbike, with coverage in Aotearoa available on TVNZ+.
Links:
•Youtube Broadcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries
Crankworx is the ultimate experience in mountain biking. Born in Whistler, B.C. in 2004, Crankworx has evolved into a multi-stop international festival series. The Crankworx World Tour brings together the best mountain bike athletes to compete in elite-level competitions in a variety of disciplines. Crankworx World Tour festivals also host races for amateurs, CWNEXT categories for next gen athletes, Kidsworx contests for young riders, participatory events and celebrations of mountain bike culture, all while showcasing amazing destinations. For additional information, visit crankworx.com.