Crankworx downhill gets UCI endorsement

Reigning Queen of Crankworx Jill Kintner rips the final stretch of track to the finish line at Skyline Gravity Park in the Crankworx Rotorua Downhill (Photo by Clint Trahan/Crankworx)

The Crankworx Rotorua Downhill, which forms part of the week-long Crankworx event, has secured UCI endorsement for the first time.

Cycling New Zealand has supported the registration of the Crankworx event as a Class 1 status event, which will offer important UCI qualifying points as well as significant prize money for elite and junior riders.

Cycling NZ chief executive Andrew Matheson said the national body was delighted to support the sanctioning of the event.

"Crankworx has redefined the mountain bike experience for many riders and fans over the last few years. It has been a must-do on the calendar for sports fans and delivers not only a world class event for the riders, but an experience for spectators," Matheson said.

Cycling New Zealand acknowledged the work that has gone into the event over the past two years, which was part of the reason Crankworx Events Incorporated confirmed a 10-year contract for Rotorua to be part of the Crankworx World Tour.

Crankworx Rotorua Downhill presented by iXS race director Dave Hamilton said this was exciting news.

"We're always looking to further every event at Crankworx Rotorua and giving riders the option to gather UCI points is a great addition for this year," he said.

Crankworx World Tour general manager Darren Kinnaird said the additional accreditation was a great bonus for the athletes.

"We're super-thrilled that Crankworx has landed so well in Rotorua and to be able to offer UCI points as well is great," he said.

The Crankworx World Tour travels to the world's top mountain bike destinations, including Rotorua, Les Gets, France, and Innsbruck, Austria, before returning to its Canadian home base of Whistler each year.

Crankworx Rotorua is coming into its third year and will host an extended programme of events for 2017, running from March 25 to April 2.