Crankworx Rotorua’s 2024 World Tour Dates Commemorates a Decade of Excellence

ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND October 27, 2023 – Set amongst the breath-taking landscapes and hero dirt of New Zealand, Crankworx Rotorua is launching the 2024 Crankworx World Tour this coming March 16-24. The tenth edition of Crankworx Rotorua is set to feature an impressive line-up of international athletes, as well as some of the top New Zealand riders, including local legend and King of Crankworx, Tuhoto-Ariki Pene.

For Pene and his fellow Aotearoa riders, having such a big event on their back doorstep means a lot, with the festival allowing local riders to “see first-hand what level [they] need to be at before heading across the oceans to race [at Cairns, Innsbruck, and Whistler].” Reminiscing on how the past 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua have “flown by,” Pene continued: “I remember my first Crankworx Rotorua, when I raced the downhill as a little grom. I’m looking forward to seeing my mates again, having that race vibe and maybe throwing down some whips with the boys.”

When asked about the feeling of being Crankworx King in his hometown, Pene admits “I’m not too sure how to feel. It should be exciting, I’m happy to be holding that title in front of my hometown.”

The Rockshox Taniwha Downhill race will once again kick off the festival, from Saturday 16th March in the flora and fauna of the Whakarewarewa and Tītokorangi Forests where fans can spectate for free or watch the race live on Red Bull TV. This high adrenaline and now iconic race promises to be a thrilling start to the international mountain bike season, with Cat 1 UCI points up for grabs.

The festival will then continue from the 20-24 March at its original home on the slopes of Mount Ngongotahā, where Crankworx Rotorua first broke ground in 2015 at Skyline Rotorua. All the crowd favourites will be on the schedule, including AirDH, Whip-Off, Speed and Style, Dual Slalom, Pump Track and Slopestyle. The Crankworx Rotorua Expo will return with the latest and greatest gear and brands, as well as the Kidsworx Events and Arena for the young groms to get involved in the festival.

2024 will also bring the inclusion of the North Island Schools MTB Champs in the Crankworx Rotorua festival, this will be co-hosted alongside the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club with event partners Cycling NZ Schools and School Sport NZ. These championships will draw school students, support staff/representatives and their families from across the North Island to Rotorua, to compete in forest-based events from the 17-19 March.

The festival is aiming to increase the inclusivity and youth engagement in the world of mountain biking, with a focus on encouraging students from Year 1 to Year 13 to experience the festival in both ‘on the bike’ and ‘off the bike’ environments. This initiative underscores Crankworx Rotorua’s commitment to nurturing and engaging our rangatahi, ensuring the long-term vibrancy of the sport within our spirited community.

Key Information:

Event Director Ariki Tibble, says, “Over the next few months our Crankworx family will reflect on a decade of countless legacy moments, but if there is anything that demonstrates our commitment to Rotorua and the future, it’s the focus that the 10th anniversary edition of this festival will have on our Young People and our local community.”

“What sets us apart from so many sports events is that we are equal parts sport and spectacle – our festival crosses so many boundaries and we are really looking forward to making sure that there is something for everyone in 2024.”

Crankworx Rotorua will continue to mark the start of the World Tour season and proudly set the standard for the year ahead. With ground-breaking announcements to follow in the coming weeks, the 2024 festival will commemorate a decade of unparalleled mountain biking experiences in a big way.

Crankworx Rotorua’s schedule will include (events marked with an * will be live on Red Bull TV):

Stay tuned for specific schedule updates: https://www.crankworx.com/rotorua/schedule/

Crankworx Rotorua Photos for Media use

About the Crankworx World Tour 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 more information, visit crankworx.com.