Crankworx Cairns is back this May!
Crankworx Cairns is back again in 2023, settling into its forever home this May. Will you join the action in the rainforest?
In 2022, Australian mountain bikers rode a wave of stoke when news broke that Crankworx was coming to Cairns. With a long history of local riders pushing the envelope for what could be done on a mountain bike, Cairns was deemed the most fitting place for this multi-day mountain bike festival.
When Crankworx Cairns kicked off in October, the festival rode a crescendo through the week, until the amphitheatre of Smithfield MTB Park was humming with fans, chainsaws and generators. It went off!
While the first event took place in October 2022, May will become Crankworx Cairns' home on the international Crankworx calendar. The rich red dirt and ancient rainforests of far north Queensland will host the world of elite mountain biking as Cairns welcomes back the Crankworx World Tour to the high-profile trails at Smithfield Mountain Bike Park from May 17-21. Cairns will be the second stop on the Crankworx World Tour following on from Crankworx Rotorua.
Crankworx Cairns was deemed ‘The Paradise Edition’, and it's not hard to see why. Both invited riders and spectators can experience the reef, wildlife, and adrenaline activities that the region offers, while also sending it on the world class trails. While many of the Smithfield trails need to be closed for the event – not all of them are. And there's plenty more riding around, from the Kuranda Downhill, Atherton mountain bike park, to Davies Creek, and of course the Bump Track.
Member for Cairns and Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy said Crankworx Cairns was a good investment in the city’s visitor economy.
“It’s fantastic to have Crankworx back in Cairns for 2023 after last year’s hugely successful Australian debut in Tropical North Queensland,” Mr Healy said. “This world-class event is backed by the Palaszczuk Government because it brings thousands of interstate and overseas visitors to Cairns.
“Last year, competitors, crew and Crankworx spectators contributed $7.7 million for local jobs and our visitor economy including accommodation, hospitality and tourism operators. We know many visitors here for Crankworx in 2022 extended their stay to explore more of Tropical North Queensland’s unforgettable tourism experiences. It’s wonderful to see Crankworx inspiring more young North Queenslanders to get in the saddle, and stay active and connected with their community.”
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said Crankworx was a game changer that would position Tropical North Queensland as an internationally renowned mountain biking destination. “The inaugural Crankworx Cairns last year showcased the destination and its world-class mountain biking infrastructure to hundreds of thousands of people around the world,” he said. “We are looking forward to welcoming the athletes and their fans back to Cairns to enjoy mountain biking in the world’s oldest rainforest and a holiday taking in the Great Barrier Reef and our ancient Indigenous culture.”
Get set for Crankworx Cairns 2023
The world's elite and Australia's best riders will converge on Cairns for Crankworx this May. From Downhill to Pump Track, Speed and Style, Kidsworx and more – it will be a big event to be part of, either side of the tape. Of course, the top 16 slopestyle athletes in the world will be competing, offering the only chance for Aussies to see these elite athletes in the flesh as they pull out all the stops for precious Crankworx points.
There aren't too many chances to see the world's best, or compete with them, on Australian soil. So for many local and Australian riders Crankworx Cairns is a chance to test themselves against the world's best – and see how the top riders do it.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said he was looking forward to seeing Crankworx Cairns return in May.
"We are expecting 12,500 attendees from international, national and local markets to descend on Crankworx Cairns for a week of world class racing, with riders bringing even more excitement to the region with their array of aerial acrobatics,” Cr Manning said. “Like it did last year, the Crankworx festival is set to bring international MTB Fans to Australia and will further cement Cairns’ spot on the global map as a premiere destination for mountain biking and adventure.”
“I know from walking around the venue last year, there was a real buzz about the riders, and I’m sure hosting a world class event like this in Cairns will inspire our next generation of young mountain bikers to follow in the footsteps of local siblings Tracey and Mick Hannah.”
Should you come to Crankworx Cairns?
Passes are on sale now, get all the details on the Crankworx Cairns site!
