Big grant for Crankworx festival

AIRBORNE: Kelly McGarry, New Zealand's top free ride mountain bike athlete, competes at Crankworx Whistler's Red Bull Joyride. PHOTO/CLINT TRAHAN

The Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust has announced it will contribute $200,000 to the world's largest mountain biking festival coming to Rotorua - Crankworx

The phenomenon that is Crankworx, which also includes the Enduro World Series, will make its way to Rotorua from March 25 to 29.

It will be the first event on the professional racing calendar for the year and is expected to attract up to 15,000 spectators and 750 riders from New Zealand and around the world.

Crankworx Rotorua brings with it the best mountain biking pro-athletes for competitions, concerts and culture.

Rotorua will be a part of the Pump Track series and will host Speed and Style, Slopestyle, Downhill and Enduro events over the five days.

There will also be a raft of other events surrounding the festival for amateur and non-bikers, including a soon-to-be-announced music festival featuring top New Zealand artists.

Event director Tak Mutu said the trust funding would provide greater opportunities for the wider public to enjoy the event.

"The funding we've received from the Rotorua Trust will go specifically toward providing free public access to the events we have planned on the Lakefront to coincide with the mountain biking festival,' he said.

"For instance, we'll have a range of great bands on stage during the week. Plus, we're planning some fun activities for kids and families. The Trust money allows us to open these events up to locals and others in town for the event."

Rotorua Trust Chairman, Grahame Hall, said the Trust was pleased to provide funding to Crankworx Rotorua as it will have a major economic and reputational impact on the district.

"Crankworx is the largest event of this type ever seen in Australasia. It's a real coup that Rotorua has won the bid to host it. The economic injection into the region is expected to be upwards of $15 million.

"Additionally, the world will be watching us for five days and getting to see the amazing region we all know and love. The Trust has always been focused on helping make Rotorua a better place to live, work and play. Supporting this major international event aligns perfectly with our vision."