Crankworx Rotorua Downhill presented by iXS: Aussie Domination
There's never a dull moment at the Crankworx Rotorua Downhill presented by iXS, with crashes marring the runs of crowd favourites, and Australian riders punching some strong results in this early season event.
Words: Anna Beck
Images: Tim Bardsley-Smith
Multiple schedule changes saw the Crankworx Rotorua Downhill presented by iXS brought forward to Saturday morning, and a chilly start to the morning gave way to sunshine and blue skies for the pro women and men's race.
The gruelling Skyline course features multiple viewing opportunities, from the top wet, slick, root-strewn chutes to huge ramps, terrifying rock gardens and many substantial jumps; when you’re struggling to stand on the side of the course it’s a sure fire sign that the course itself is not for the faint of heart.
Hannah off the stellar season start
In the women’s race, Aussie Tracey Hannah was a clear favourite, seeding first for the final run, however with former Queen of Crankworx Jill Kintner from the USA in attendance, along with Whip Off champ Casey Brown, Miranda Miller of Canada; as well as Swiss rider Emilie Siegenthaler, it could be anyone’s race.
Heading off the two rock gardens, it appeared that Kintner and Hannah were the ones to beat, looking the fastest and smoothest through the middle section of the track, however Kintner didn’t quite get the coveted podium finish she desired in her campaign for Queen of Crankworx 2017. Hannah stole the win, with Siegenthaler and Brown rounding out the podium.
Aussies attempt Crankworx DH domination
With the likes of Troy Brosnan, Mick Hannah, Remi Morton, Jack Moir and Dean Lucas making for a solid contingent from across the ditch, a solid result wouldn’t be easy when the likes of Loic Bruni, local hitter Keegan Wright and veteran Brendan Fairclough also taking to the slopes for their final race run.
Could Mick make it a Hannah family affair and show the Kiwi’s what Aussies are really made of?
Remi Morton styled up the final step up on the way down the track, looking fast posting a 3:11, which had him in sixth at the time of the run, with USA’s Austin Warren having set an early blistering time of 3:00. NZ crowd favourite and winner of the pump track challenge, Keegan Wright, pinned his run in a time of 3:01, into second behind Warren, but with the big-name favourites to come down the hill would it be enough to get the Kiwi a spot on the podium?
Australian Dean Lucas had a solid run, with a 3:03 settling him into fourth before USA’s Eliot Jackson threw down a 2:58, the first rider to scrape in under the 3:00 mark. A wild finish to his run, drifting in from the preferred fast high line and getting ragged on the last step up, the crowd was thrilled with Jackson's aggressive style; a worthy leader in the hot seat until Australian Moir thundered down in 2:55. 'Sick' Mick Hannah nabbed a 2:58, just ahead of Jackson, before Bruni got rowdy coming down the final hill, after an early crash, missing his preferred line in the final straight and took the slower B line.
Only Brosnan remained, and the World Cup winning rider posted a solid 3:00; not enough to see a win and seeing fellow Australian Moir take the win followed by Hannah and Jackson in third.
Finn Iles took a convincing win in the junior men event.
Results here
