Crankworx Summer Series

Crankworx is the ultimate experience in mountain biking. Born in Whistler, Canada in 2004, Crankworx has evolved into a multi-stop international festival series. Bringing together the best mountain bike athletes to compete in elite-level competitions in a variety of disciplines, the Crankworx World Tour festivals also host races for amateurs, categories for next generation athletes and contests for young riders.

The Crankworx Summer Series (CSS) kicked off in British Columbia in 2020 that brings a taste of the Crankworx action to new riding destinations outside of the Crankworx World Tour. CSS was brought to the Southern Lakes Region, New Zealand in 2021 bringing together pinned locals, top amateurs, and up-and-coming youngsters, while attracting top riders keen to mix, mingle, and drop in.

Now a firmly established mountain bike event, Crankworx Summer Series draws athletes and fans from around New Zealand and beyond, and is building up to the 10th anniversary of Crankworx Rotorua in the following weeks.

Chains off. Game on.

Strength, momentum and skill are the name of the game in this arena where pedal-less power reigns supreme and a single mistake can cost the victory. Pump Tracks are continuous circuits with successive waves and berms. Pulling and pushing (pumping) movements are used to pick up speed. This is where the most epic battles of the festival will take place, with racers going head to head taking to the track to battle for chainless supremacy.

Often called the Formula One of mountain biking, downhill encapsulates the highest speeds, gnarliest tracks and biggest features in an exciting racing format. The Downhill Track is known for high speed, high risk, and high adrenaline racing. It involves riders racing against the clock on a short (usually three-to-five-minute long) track, littered with technical features such as jumps, drops and rock gardens.

Christchurch Adventure Park alongside the Alternative Volunteer Committee (AVC) have built a brand-new Downhill track which will debut at Crankworx Summer Series.

The new downhill track, recently endorsed by Kiwi mountain bike icon and wheelie legend Wyn Masters, is promising to be one of high speed, loose and natural terrain, high speed traps and drops and jumps, encompassing the unique and natural terrain associated with Christchurch.

Not only will valuable UCI points be available for local emerging talent who aspire to qualify to compete on the UCI World Cup circuit, but overall King and Queen of Crankworx points will also be attached to the races, escalating the importance of the Summer Series NZ for Crankworx World Tour competitors.