Crankworx Rotorua Event Registration Opens in the New Year by officialcrankworx

Joyride Bike Park crew closes out Crankworx video series

Wyn Masters Photo by clint trahan Crankworx

Wyn Masters, seen here in the Crankworx Rotorua Downhill presented by iXS, had a strong season last year, finishing third in the Giant Toa Enduro and thrilling his New Zealand fan base.

Pre-season enduro opportunity and New Zealand’s famous flow expected to fill race rosters quickly.
Registration to shred the flowy forest trails at Crankworx Rotorua alongside the world’s top gravity mountain bike athletes opens in January 2016.

Both the Giant Toa Enduro and the Crankworx Rotorua Downhill presented by iXS will offer amateur athletes a chance to compete on top-tier race courses with registration opening Friday, Jan. 15 (NZDT) at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 14 at 10 p.m.(PST), for both races.

“The Giant Toa Enduro was an awesome race and a showcase of all of Rotorua’s best trails. It was also a true test to all the riders with a bit of rain mixing things up,” said Wyn MASTERS (NZ), who will return for 2016 to race both disciplines.

Fans couldn’t get enough of last year's mud bath, cheering and jeering as they watched Masters, known more for his downhill prowess, pull in for third place among the best of the best in the enduro.

Anneke Beerten Photo by clint trahan Crankworx

The first Queen of the Crankworx World Tour, Anneke Beerten, turned in a fourth place finish in the inaugural Giant Toa Enduro, behind Anne Caroline Chausson, first place, Tracey Moseley, second, and Cecile Ravanel, third.

The inaugural Giant Toa Enduro served as the opening round of the Enduro World Series and saw Jerome CLEMENTZ (FRA) best fellow countryman Fabien BAREL (FRA) down uncharacteristically gnarly descents in the Whakarewarewa Forest, roots slick from the rain. This year, fans and prospective racers can expect a number of big name EWS riders to return to test their legs on what’s promised to be a fast and flowy race, many using the event as a benchmark before opening their EWS season in Chile two weeks later.

Ranked twelfth in the Enduro Mountain Bike Association, Josh CARLSON (AUS) will be there looking to avenge his last crack at Whistler’s SRAM Canadian Open Enduro presented by Specialized in August. Carlson was in position for the win until the final stage of the race when a flat tire took him out of podium contention, leaving him hungry for a Crankworx victory.

“What I liked about the Toa Enduro in 2015 was the epic trails and rad camaraderie amongst the entrants. As hard as the race was, everyone was stoked to be out on their bikes shredding some of the best trails in the world,” he said.

Meanwhile, downhill fans won’t want to miss Marcelo GUTIERREZ VILLEGAS (COL) hit the start gate in the Crankworx Rotorua Downhill presented by iXS. All eyes will be on Gutierrez, the 2014 King of Crankworx as he tests out the course he watched Loic BRUNI (FRA) slaughter last season.

“Based on the photos that I’ve seen from this year, it looks like an amazing race. The vibes and comments from the riders have been very positive and I can’t wait to be there,” said Gutierrez.

Marcelo Gutierrez Villerga on his winniing run of the Garbonzo DH at Crankworx in Whistler British Columbia Canada

Marcelo Gutierrez Villegas pins it down his winning run of the Garbanzo DH at Crankworx Whistler in August 2015.

The multi-stage Giant Toa Enduro runs Wednesday, Mar. 9, 2016 and explores the Whakarewarewa Forest, culminating at the main Crankworx site, Skyline Rotorua Gravity Park. The Crankworx Rotorua Downhill presented by iXS will be held inside the park and closes out the five-day Crankworx Rotorua festival on Sunday, Mar. 13, 2016.

Registration for both events opens on Crankworx.com Friday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. (NZDT) or Thursday, Jan. 15 at 10 p.m. PDST, for those closer to the Crankworx home base of Whistler, B.C. Prospective racers will want to check the International Time Converter to find the correct local time to register.

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