CRANKWORX ROTORUA PUMP TRACK DELIVERS A DOUBLE-DUTCH WIN

Four-time Pump Track Queen taken out by problems in the start gate

ROTORUA, New Zealand, March 27, 2015—It was a double Dutch win in the Rotorua Pump Track Challenge presented by RockShox as Joost Wichman and Anneke Beerten took out crowd favourites.

Paired with Keegan WRIGHT (NZ), Wichman (NED) admitted it was a pretty cool feat to beat the younger Wright, a New Zealander half his age. But the big story of the night was in the start gate of the woman’s final as four-time women’s Crankworx Whistler Pump Track winner Jill KINTNER (USA) attempted to start at the wrong angle, missing her race with Anneke BEERTEN (NED).

“I just wanted the race, but got caught in the gate and I guess Anneke didn’t want to have a rematch. So second is sweet,” said Kintner. “…It’s my fault, really. I should have been at a better angle, so it wasn’t really a race, was it? It wasn’t very exciting for fans.”

Quite to the contrary, the crowd gathered under the lights seemed to revel in the suspense of the second to last race of the raucous night. Periodically doing the wave around the circular track—a first for a Crankworx Pump Track—the long wait for the officials decision on whether Kintner’s missed start would be result in a rematch had the dirt stadium buzzing.

It was ultimately ruled Kintner’s miss did not amount to a malfunction, so did not warrant a rematch, though her tire had been caught in the bracket riders load their bike into in order to launch from the start gate. It was determined, the catch was the result of rider error, leaving Beerten with the win.

“Pump Track is such a cool thing to do. The whole vibe here and taking the win is amazing,” said Beerten. “The crowd were all wild and loud, and it’s amazing to have them in Rotorua and to be riding in Rotorua. It’s just sick.”

Joost echoed her sentiments, noting this win has been a long-term goal.

“I organize Pump Track races myself in the Netherland and Germany, so it’s actually cool to win one at Crankworx. I’ve been trying for a couple of years now to win one in Whistler or France, so it’s cool,” he said.

Third place finishers, Frenchman Tomas Lemoine and New Zealand’s Sarah Walker, each waged valiant battles, with Lemoine narrowly defeating Walker SHAW (USA) and Luana OLIVERIA (BRA).

“I was just relieved to stay on tonight. This is the first time I’ve ridden mountain bikes in six years and the first day I fell off and hit my knee real hard. The second day I fell off and hit the same knee in the same place. So it’s so swollen,” said Walker, 2012 BMX Olympic silver medalist.

The final standings were:

Pro Women’s Results
1. Anneke Beerten
2. Jill Kintner
3. Sarah Walker

Pro Men’s Results
1. Joost Wichman
2. Keegan Wright
3. Tomas Lemoine

Video highlights of all the action at Rotorua will be released on crankworx.com

Online Results
Event photography

UP NEXT: Tomorrow, the first-round of the 2015 Enduro World Series begins with 400 athletes taking on the opening round of the Series, the Giant Toa Enduro. Dubbed the race of champions, the race will see no less than 15 world champions from across cycling disciplines on the startline at Te Puia’s world-famous geyser, ready to take on the Whakarewarewa Forest’s iconic singletrack. And despite the racers facing seven stages that take in nearly 60km, the top contenders will be separated by just seconds when they drop into the finish line at the Skyline Rotorua Gravity Mountain Bike Park.

For more information about all other Crankworx Rotorua events, visit crankworx.com

Watch all the action LIVE at crankworx.com
Mar. 28 Giant Toa Enduro (4-6 p.m. NZT / 8-10 p.m. PST Previous Day / 4-6 a.m. CET)
Mar. 29 Crankworx Rotorua Slopestyle (12:30-3 p.m. NZ / 4:30-7 pm PST Previous Day/12:30-3 a.m. CET)

Crankworx is taking its coverage to the next level, crowd-sourcing video and breaking new storytelling ground. Join us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Google+ and hashtag video clips for #CWXLive and #CWXRotorua.

Photo: Clint Trahan
Cutline: Joost Wichman (NED) celebrates his first place finish at the Rotorua Pump Track Challenge presented by RockShox

Jennifer Smith
Crankworx Communications Manager
Cell: 021 0259 4491
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Crankworx Whistler brings the world’s Downhill, Slopestyle and Enduro legends home to the Superfans, rising stars, industry innovators and the next generation of mountain bike riders for 10 days of competition, concerts, and culture.

Anointed by dirt, powered by passion, the Crankworx World Tour travels to Rotorua, New Zealand, Les Deux Alpes, France and culminates in its Canadian home base of Whistler, B.C.
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