Crankworx Rotorua 2021 broadcast aims to reach online audience of millions

Mountain biker Billy Meaclem says the best things about the sport are the culture and the community. Photo / Supplied

Despite Covid-19 alert level restrictions, this year's Crankworx aims to reach an audience of millions.

The Rotorua-based international mountain biking event will be broadcast live globally via Red Bull TV, a channel with more than 1.5 million subscribers and videos surpassing 140 million views.

Crankworx event organiser Ariki Tibble said the broadcast was an opportunity to showcase Rotorua's culture and local talent to millions across the world.

"People who are accustomed to being front and centre around the country will still be able to tune in and catch the action," Tibble told the Rotorua Daily Post.

But Tibble was unsure if spectators would be permitted to watch events from the trackside.

"We're still clarifying that with the Government. We want to make sure that whatever we end up doing puts public safety first.

"We'll do the absolute best we can with what we've got for this year."

Tibble said Mountain Bike Rotorua's Share the Ride programme would still run, as would Crankworx's leadership and education programmes.

Meanwhile, 97 athletes are coming to Rotorua to participate in Crankworx 2021 - including 58 New Zealanders.

Thirty-nine competitors are from overseas and received a group MIQ allocation.

Vaea Verbeeck, one of this year's Crankworx top competitors rented training equipment especially for her MIQ stay. Photo / Supplied

Reigning Queen of Crankworx Vaea Verbeeck from Canada hasn't let MIQ stop her from training. She's rented equipment such as a stationary bike and weights for her stay in quarantine.

"I've signed up for all the events I could take part in. The pressure's on."

Verbeeck was crowned Queen of Crankworx in 2019 and is in the points lead for the overall prize heading into Rotorua in 2021.

Verbeeck said she had a timetable for Crankworx preparation while she was in MIQ but "getting super stressed" wasn't worth it.

"I'm taking it day by day and enjoying it. We're just so lucky to do the things we do.

"[Covid-19] has meant more work and sacrifice but we can still do what we love and we can't take that for granted."

Verbeeck believed mountain biking as a sport had grown in popularity since the pandemic began.

"Shops have been selling bikes like crazy. So many people have been enjoying the outdoors closer to home.

"There's going to be a boom."

Canadian mountain biker Vaea Verbeeck in action on the trails. Photo / Supplied

Local mountain biker Billy Meaclem was also optimistic about the future of the sport.

"People have been looking for new ways to explore their backyards. You can always grab your bike and go for a pedal."

Meaclem said lockdowns led to a rise in the popularity of mountain biking videos on platforms such as YouTube, with some videos surpassing 25 million views.

Meaclem has been competing since he was 12. He was excited about this year's live broadcast of Crankworx Rotorua.

"I think it's pretty cool they're going to get it out to a lot more eyes. It's going to give everyone a lot more coverage."

For Meaclem, who had been grounded in New Zealand since Crankworx in 2019, this year's event was also an opportunity for many overdue catch-ups.

"It's going to be a jam," Meaclem said.

"Mountain biking has got a nice community and culture to it. Everyone's really supportive of everything you do which is rad.

"I'm keen to catch up with all my mates that I haven't seen in the last couple of years."

For Ariki Tibble and his team, the challenges leading up to Crankworx 2021 will be rewarded once the event kicks off on November 1.

"Every week we've seemingly had another hurdle. I don't think we've taken the foot off the gas for the entire time."

Tibble hopes the results will unlock many benefits for Rotorua's community.

"It's a miracle to be able to deliver."