Crankworx Summer Series New Zealand Has Kicked Things Off In Alexandra

The first stop of the 2023 Crankworx Summer Series New Zealand is done and dusted. Done and dusted might arguably be how many of the riders were feeling after battling out the five-stage enduro at Central Otago’s infamous Matangi Station MTB tracks.

Ahead of the racing, a few of the riders took to the track to see what the fuss was all about. With maybe one of the best views (ever?!) it also happens to be one of the South Island’s top riding destinations.

With a good mix of keen locals racing amongst the more seasoned pros, the community with buzzing with stoke – especially seeing many local riders sweeping the podium.

Rider: Tuhoto-Ariki Pene | Photographer: Blake Pickup

Alexandra was also part of the 2021 Crankworx Summer Series New Zealand as a three-stage Super D event. This year the locals and pros were faced with a more challenging arena at Matangi Station MTB, racing five rocky, technical stages full of steep, punchy pedals between and throughout the stages. This one was a doozy for even the Alex locals on course.

Here’s a taste of what went down:

Local hero, Bradley Harris, who snagged first at the 2021 Alex Super D, secured his place on the top step of this year’s Enduro too.

“Always good racing at home,” Harris commented on the race. “It’s just good to be out here with the home crowd, and it was nice to get amongst the rocks and dust, like you don’t really get it anywhere else.”

Elite Male Category celebratory champagne showers are a must in the hot, dry conditions. From left: Sam Sole, Bradley Harris, Matt Scoles | Photographer: Blake Pickup

It was a tight battle in the pro women’s category with only 0.52 seconds between them was Morgane Jonnier from France in first, with Scottish downhiller Louise Ferguson extremely hot on her heels taking second place.

Women’s Elite Category podium from left: Louise Ferguson, Morgan Jonnier, and Jenna Hastings. | Photographer: Blake Pickup

“To be honest, the race was so tight with Morgane,” Ferguson shared of her experience racing the seasoned EDR pro, Jonnier. “We didn’t know the results until after the race so there were no specific tactics with each track, but it was really cool to be so tight with her. She is really good racer so it was a lot of fun today – not even a second between us!”

Nukeproof Factory rider, Louise Ferguson looking smooth and in control, as always. | Photographer: Blake Pickup
Pro riders Sam Gale, Baxter Maiwald and Tuhoto-Ariki Pene visiting the local groms and signing a few posters at Alexandra Primary School. | Photographer: Blake Pickup

Crankworx Summer Series New Zealand – Alexandra Enduro Results:

Elite Category:

  1. Morgane Jonnier (FRA) – 19:12.373 // Bradley Harris (NZL) – 15:24.507
  2. Louise Ferguson (GBR) – 19:12.897 // Sam Sole (NZL) – 16:37.617
  3. Jenna Hastings (NZL) – 20:06.907 // Matt Scoles (NZL) – 16:39.217

Open Category:

  1. Jo Perrot (NZL) – 23:32.660 // Jonathan Miller (NZL) – 16:58.090
  2. Caitlin Titheridge (NZL) – 23:46.573 // Diego Herrera (CHI) – 17:21.647
  3. Cindy Hoffmann (GER) – 24:42.917 // Ricardo Munoz (CHI) – 17:34.867

CWNEXT U19 Category:

  1. Hayley Harris (NZL) – 22:27.100 // Oli Nicholls (NZL) – 16:42.343
  2. Sianna Roka (CAN) – 24:02.943 // Tyler Muirhead (NZL) – 17:56.713
  3. Steffi Moss (NZL) – 30:21.910 // Oliver King (NZL) – 17:56.997

CWNEXT U17 Category:

  1. Cooper Millwood (NZL) – 16:24.303
  2. Cam Moir (NZL) – 17:19.770
  3. Oscar McNally (NZL) – 26:39.337

CWNEXT U15 Category:

  1. Ryker Thow (NZL) – 18:22.867
  2. Arnaud Mackenzie (NZL) – 20:38.457
  3. Eli Moir (NZL) – 20:54.457

Full results from the Alexandra Enduro can be found at crankworx.com/results.

More images from the event can be found here.

Next stop of the Crankworx Summer Series New Zealand takes us to beautiful Bike Glendhu located in Wānaka for the Dual Slalom event. Qualifiers and Pro Round of 32 will take place on Saturday, March 3rd, and finals going down on Sunday March 4th. Check out the schedule for full details and be sure to follow @CrankworxRotorua for any updates. Registration for the Bike Glendhu Dual Slalom is still open so come get amongst what should surely be a pretty sweet time!