Crankworx World Tour 2025: Another Season of Stoke is in the Books

From the opening drops in Christchurch, New Zealand in February to the supportive community in Sugarloaf in August, the 2025 Crankworx World Tour has been nothing short of historic. Across seven festivals – Christchurch, Rotorua, Cairns, Horseshoe Valley, SilverStar, Whistler, and Sugarloaf, some of the world’s best riders (a staggering total of 2,734 athletes) pushed boundaries, etched new chapters in mountain biking, and brought fans along for an unforgettable ride. Keeping one eye on 2026, the calendar is already taking shape with a return to Ōtautahi Christchurch (Feb 19-22) and Rotorua (Mar 11-15), and more festivals to be confirmed soon – all building up toward the annual grand finale in Whistler, BC.

Returning to home soil racing after her injury last year, Jenna Hastings bagged her second Crankworx Downhill gold in Rotorua. (c) Clint Trahan

The Road to Royalty

This season belonged to Ryan Gilchrist and Jordy Scott, crowned the 2025 King & Queen of Crankworx. Gilchrist dominated across multiple disciplines, locking in wins in Pump Track and Dual Slalom Series in addition to his repeat King title, underlining his place as one of the most versatile riders in the game. Jordy Scott brought her signature grit and consistency, showing up across the globe, battling it out with Sabina Košárková, Martha Gill, and Caroline Buchanan, to claim her first crown.

Across the Crankworx World Tour, the spotlight shone brightly on Sabina Košárková, whose season was as unexpected as it was inspiring. Initially, she had only planned to race at Christchurch – her very first Crankworx experience. But after catching the Crankworx vibes, she decided to keep going, joining the tour in Rotorua, Cairns, and Whistler. Along the way, she not only claimed the overall Pump Track Series title but was also honoured as the 2025 Crankworx Breakthrough Athlete, marking her as one of the circuit’s most exciting rising stars.

Newly crowned Jordy Scott showed off consistency across the Crankworx World Tour – here in tight racing against Caroline Buchanan at the RNDM Dual Slalom in SilverStar. (c) Clint Trahan

Slopestyle: Legends Return & New Stars Rise

The Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship (SWC) once again delivered high drama and unforgettable moments.

French rider Tim Bringer spent the season pushing the limits, stacking podiums and nearly clinching the coveted Triple Crown of Slopestyle. His charge was cut short, however, by the big return of Emil Johansson, who stormed back onto the top step at Whistler after a long road of injuries and surgeries, reminding everyone why he’s one of the greatest to ever drop in.

On the women’s side, Patricia Druwen officially entered the highest level of the sport in style, winning her first-ever SWC competition in Rotorua. She was joined by fellow rising star Alma Wiggberg, who backed up her breakout 2024 season with another two SWC wins and a Gold victory at SilverStar, cementing her spot as one of the leaders of women’s Slopestyle.

And the next generation made their presence known. Young up-and-comers like Kaidan Ingersoll, Ben Thompson, Chance Moore, and Natasha Miller all broke through with podium performances this year, signaling that the future of Slopestyle is in very good hands.

Kaidan Ingersoll kicking off the season at the Gold Slopestyle in Christchurch. (c) Clint Trahan

Festival Highlights

Christchurch launched the season with tight racing and a spectacular FMB Gold Slopestyle finale, seeking redemption after the 2024 Port Hill fires resulted in the cancellation of the festival.
Rotorua followed with Kiwi dominance on home soil, plus Patricia Druwen and Tim Bringer kicking off the 2025 Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship.
Cairns brought rainforest rowdiness, shoeys, and showdowns, with Pump Track under the lights and new Crankworx Full Tilt pushing athletes in fresh ways.

The inaugural Crankworx Full Tilt went down in Cairns, leaving athletes puzzled and crowds roaring. (c) Clint Trahan

Horseshoe Valley Resort saw Canadian crowds roar as local heroes stepped up in the heat of Oro-Medonte, Ontario.
SilverStar delivered the full array of big tricks and progression, including a Women’s Slopestyle Gold-Level event, fast Downhill racing, Pump Track and Dual Slalom action.
Whistler, the heart of it all, marked its 20th anniversary, capped by an unforgettable Red Bull Joyride, introduction of new events like the Outdoor Research Trick Showdown and the Bosch eMTB Challenge, and the final coronation of Ryan Gilchrist and Jordy Scott.
Sugarloaf wrapped the tour in Atlantic Canada with East Coast flavour, fast tracks, and festival vibes to close the book on 2025.

One of the newest additions to the Crankworx Whistler schedule – the Outdoor Research Trick Showdown in the Boneyard. (c) Clint Trahan

Looking Ahead to 2026

The stoke doesn’t stop here. The first two festivals of 2026 are already locked in – starting once again in Aotearoa New Zealand with Christchurch (Feb 19-22) and Rotorua (Mar 11–15). More festival stops and dates will be announced soon, promising another season of progression, rivalries, and history in the making, culminating in the annual homecoming of the industry in Whistler to mark the ultimate celebration of mountain biking. Stay tuned on crankworx.com and @crankworx for more news in the next few weeks.