Chance to ride alongside pros at Crankworx

Anneke Beerten at Crankworx in Rotorua, New Zealand. (Photo by Clint Trahan/Crankworx)

Registration for riders hoping to compete at Crankworx Rotorua is under way.

There are three events during the nine-day festival open for amateur registration, including the GIANT Toa Challenger Enduro, the Crankworx Rotorua Air DH and the Crankworx Rotorua Downhill presented by iXS.

Crankworx general manager Darren Kinnaird said Crankworx was always a place to ride alongside the best athletes in the world.

"Athletes from around the world sign up to compete in the same races as the pros, and we are really keen to get the local mountain biking community out at every stop. The riders make the festival," he said.

Registration opens for the Crankworx Rotorua Air DH and the Crankworx Rotorua Downhill presented by iXS today on Crankworx.com.

The Air DH focuses on jumps and getting air with last year's winner, George Brannigan, pulling into the finish line in 02:13. Designed to showcase Skyline's Mr. Black trail, this year it will be part of a tour-wide set of Air Downhill events built on the Fox Air DH at Crankworx Whistler, a speed-focused rip down the iconic A-Line in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

Registration for the longer Crankworx Rotorua Downhill presented by iXS opens today as well. Won by Frenchman Loic Bruni, in 02:38 last year, this gut-busting race down Mount Ngongotaha in Skyline Gravity Park, finishes with a step-up, step-down crowd-pleasing monster air.

Crankworx Rotorua Downhill race director Dave Hamilton said the start featured high speed grassy farmland, descending into steep technical native bush, dropping through two man-made rockgardens into the Skyline estate. From there the track boasts the 'Woodyard' where there are two 12m gaps and finishes with a wide open steep off camber section, similar to many World Cup tracks.

"The Crankworx Rotorua Downhill presented by iXS track is designed so any level of gravity rider can tackle it. Although there are the pro lines the quick guys can hit, there are also safety lines so everyone can still have fun without questioning safety. It is certainly the nearest thing to a World Cup we have in New Zealand."

Registration launched last week for the GIANT Toa Enduro, as part of the Enduro World Series, (EWS) and sold out immediately. The GIANT Toa was the first stop in the EWS season two years ago and returns to this spot for 2017, with 30 teams registered to race.

It will run the day after the new abridged version, the GIANT Toa Challenger Enduro. The full race offers six to seven stages, 2000m of climbing and 64km of riding.

For those keen to try this next level of racing without taking on the full deal, the GIANT Toa Challenger Enduro offers four stages of Rotorua's famous flow, 1500m of climbing and 45km of riding, without the pressure of the EWS competitive edge. Come race a challenging course with your best buds, or mates, and get a taste of world-class racing. Registration for the Challenger opens Wednesday, February 15 in Rotorua on enduroworldseries.com.

Registration for all Crankworx events is available on Crankworx.com.

The Crankworx Rotorua Downhill presented by iXS will be broadcast live on Crankworx.com on April 1 from 4-6pm.