Game On: Summer Series Christchurch Kicks Off Crankworx Season with Tight Racing and New Standings Leaders
Crankworx Summer Series Christchurch brought an electrifying mix of mountain bike action to the Ōtautahi Christchurch, showcasing world-class Downhill and Pump Track racing alongside the high-octane energy of the first-ever Gold Cup Slopestyle event in New Zealand. Christchurch Adventure Park was the place to be for fans of high-class mountain biking, with a vibe that truly embraced the Crankworx spirit. For all fans who couldn’t make it to the festival, the key events were broadcast live on Pinkbike and Outside TV. If you missed it, here’s your chance to re-watch:
Downhill Showdown: Battle for the Podium
Riders from across the globe took on the demanding Redemption Downhill course, pushing the limits on a track designed to test both technical skill and raw speed. New Zealand’s Lachie Stevens-McNab took the lead in the Downhill Series with the fastest time of the day, keeping his closest rivals, Bernard Kerr and Tegan Cruz, on their toes. In the women’s competition, Jenna Hastings backed up her victory at Crankworx Whistler’s RockShox Canadian Open Downhill last year, fending off top Downhill athletes Mille Johnset and Louise Ferguson in a tightly contested race.
Pump Track Action: Intensity Under the Lights
The Christchurch Pump Track Challenge was a crowd favorite, delivering rapid-fire matchups that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. King of Crankworx Ryan Gilchrist secured the win to establish his lead in the 2025 Crankworx Pump Track Series, but Tuhoto-Ariki Pene and Tyler Waite were right behind, proving they’re very much in the race for the title. On the women’s side, reigning Pump Track World Champion Sabina Košárková edged out the competition in her first-ever Crankworx race, holding her spot at the top of the leaderboard while Jordy Scott and Martha Gill rounded out the podium.
Find the complete standings of the 2025 Crankworx World Tour Series here.
Gold Cup Slopestyle: A Historic First in New Zealand
History was made in Christchurch with the first-ever Gold Cup Slopestyle event in Aotearoa New Zealand, bringing top-tier Freeride Mountain Bike (FMB) action to the Christchurch Adventure Park. The competition saw elite Slopestyle riders throw down huge tricks on a meticulously crafted course, while rubbing shoulders with local and up-and-coming international talent who weren’t shy to show what they have in store on the big stage. With massive airtime and technical combos, the event delivered an unforgettable spectacle for fans on-site and those following along on Pinkbike and Outside TV.
Leading the charge was 2024 Red Bull Rookie of the Year Kaidan Ingersoll who stood on the top spot of the podium with young Canadian Natasha Miller. Both put down an unbeatable run, earning top points and cementing their places as early contenders in the FMB Gold Cup standings. The event also awarded two esteemed wildcard entries to the Maxxis Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza at Crankworx Rotorua to Liam Baylis and Tobey Miley, giving them the opportunity to compete against the best in the world at the next stop on the Crankworx World Tour.
As the FMB Gold Cup season unfolds, Christchurch has set the stage for an intense battle for overall standings, giving riders valuable points as they chase Slopestyle supremacy. The next showdown will take place in Rotorua, where the stakes will be even higher, and some of the world’s top Slopestyle athletes will be looking to make their mark.
The Road to Rotorua: What’s Next?
As Crankworx Summer Series wraps up in Christchurch, all eyes now turn to Crankworx Rotorua, coming up March 5-9, 2025. With an incredible lineup of international and top Crankworx athletes confirmed, including Brook Macdonald, Jenna Hastings, Sabina Košárková, Laurie Greenland, and Tuhoto-Ariki Pene, the competition is set to reach another level. Rotorua will also play host to the return of the RockShox Downhill to a brand-new track at Skyline Rotorua, adding another layer of excitement to what is already shaping up to be a must-watch event.
Sign up for the Crankworx newsletter to get all the latest and behind-the-scenes action from athletes delivered straight to your inbox. Don’t miss out on any news and follow @crankworx on socials!