There are a plethora of medals given out at Crankworx each year. Medals for male and female riders alike, in age brackets from 13 to 40+, for the Air DH, Giant Slalom, Enduro, and Fat Tire Crit, amongst others. And if you were paying attention to the aforementioned medals and their recipients you'd notice a certain distinctive name kept cropping up in the results - van Steenbergen. Whistler Bike Park has always been a proving ground for riders. Stars like Paul Basagoitia and Anthony Messere were formed in the pressure cooker that is Crankworx. This year was no different.
Bas van Steenbergen, 18, and younger brother Tom*, 16, affectionately christened the 'van Steezburgers' by Brad J., are two of the most talented young riders I've seen anywhere. Bas's bronze medal in Dual Slalom came against a World Cup-calibre field stacked with stars like Mitch Ropelato, Kyle Strait, and Troy Brosnan. Bas was also top five at the 'Unofficial Whip Off World Championships'' along with Thomas Vanderham, Tyler McCaul, and Brendan Fairclough (Tom van Steez had a pretty good Crankworx too**). And Bas was also Junior Expert overall champion at the Northwest Cup DH series.
The precise etymology of the name van Steenbergen is traceable back to Holland. So it's pretty much inevitable that we'll see a few comments related to
Goldmember from Bas's friends - ''Isn't zat veird?'' The van Steenbergen family moved from America, to Holland, and then to Canada during Bas's formative years but kept a condo at Silver Star throughout. So I guess it makes sense that Bas knows the mountain so well. With an ever changing address - home is where the bike is.
*Harry and Tom are currently working on a video. And it'll be good. Very good.
**Tom won Teva Best Trick with a frontflip tuck no hander off the Bud Light cabin AND won Dual Slalom in the Junior category. Not bad for a 16 year old.
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 Bas has the 'effortless' style of someone who has spent thousands upon thousands of hours on a bike (and a moto background doesn't hurt either). Ironic how much effort it takes to have effortless style. |
Video/Photos -
Harrison MendelWords -
Scott SeccoTransition BikesSilver Star Bike Park
...i like how he was doing those endo bumps on those whoops,crazy style
..what kind of frame??
that's something special
