Big crowd at Crankworx opening (+video)

It was an emotional opening to Crankworx Rotorua tonight, as a large crowd was welcomed to Te Puia with a pohiri.

Crankworx World Tour general manager Darren Kinnaird gave an emotional speech during the ceremony, saying New Zealand mountain bike legend Kelly McGarry, would be in everyone's hearts throughout the event.

McGarry died while riding his bike on the slopes above Queenstown last month, weeks before he was due back in Rotorua to work on rebuilding the tracks he helped create last year.

Crankworx Rotorua event manager Ariki Tibble said it was an awesome turnout at the opening ceremony, with a lot still happening at the Skyline Rotorua site and people out training for the Giant Toa Enduro race tomorrow.

"The people here are super passionate about the event and want to kick it off the right way."

He said he was feeling confident going into the start of the event today as the site looked amazing, the weather was looking fantastic, there were lots of great events and he was excited for it to get underway.

Last year's Queen of the Crankworx World Tour Anneke Beerten, from the Netherlands, will compete in the Giant Toa Enduro, the Official Oceania Whip-off Championships, Rotorua Pump Track Challenge and Crankworx Rotorua Downhill events.

She said it would be a long season with a lot of races coming up in Rotorua, France and Canada.

"I feel good, feel fit, feel healthy and really excited."

Rotorua locals can get a taste of the Crankworx action free tomorrow with proof of address.

The Official Oceania Whip-Off starts at 5.30pm, or check out the Giant Toa Enduro which also takes place tomorrow. Athletes race over seven stages with timed downhills and untimed uphills. The fastest combined time wins. It starts at Te Puia, Whakarewarewa with the final stage at Skyline between 2pm and 5pm.

Several other events will be taking place tomorrow including practices for the Mons Royale Dual Speed and Style, the Crankworx slopestyle practice session as well as kids' activities throughout the day.