Crankworx Colorado - Day One

Jul 28, 2011

by Devon Balet

Dual Slalom

The Dual slalom racing was as exciting as ever. In the small finals it was Cody Kelley up against Team Geronimo racer Lear Miller. Miller had a bobble up high on the course, costing him the race. The big finals saw Team Geronimo racer Brian Buell facing off with legend Brian Lopes. Buell was able to take Lopes on the first round, but Lopes was able to edge out Buell for the win, even after sliding off the side of the whoops mid run.

Erik Nelson slashes through a fast turn on course.

One rider gets low on his bike to make the turn faster.

You aren't seeing double. Team Geronimo racers Lear Miller and Jesse Pedersen go head to head.

Body position is always important in dual slalom racing.

Brain Lopes taking another look at one of the trickier turns on the course.

Brian Buell on his way to the big finals.

Cody Kelley getting low and fast.

Brian Lopes is blurring fast, even through the difficult moto whoops.

Teammates and brothers; Brian and Michael Buell blaze head to head.

No stranger to dual slalom racing, Melissa Buhl made quick of the Crankworx course on her way to winning the pro women.

Brian Lopes had his mechanic on hand, and he did a lightening fast tire change just before big finals.

Brian Lopes (L) and Brian Buell (R) battled it out in the big finals.

Slopestyle Practice

Once the dual slalom racing was complete, the slopestyle riders were let loose on this year's course. With some serious changes from years past, this year's course is perfect for flow and tricks. Sam Pilgrim is one of many riders that are stoked on the course this year. "The course is perfect for tricking. Then you have the big jumps at the bottom to throw some serious tricks." Today's practice proved that this course is great for tricks. Nearly every single rider out there was tricking all the features, including the opening drop and final step up. Be sure to watch the live feed of the finals on Saturday, as this contest is going to be EXCITING!

Crankworkx Colorado Slopestyle Practice 2011

by ShelbySmith

Views: 9,413 Faves: 216 Comments: 28

Anthony Messere spinning out of the dish.

Reece Wallace also showing he has spins on lock.

Young Utah rider Cody Gessel was one of the first riders to flip into the dirt dish.

Sam Pilgrim getting comfortable with the course with this stylish 360 table.

The course is perfect for tricking. Then you have the big jumps at the bottom to throw some serious tricks. - Sam Pilgrim

Ryan Howard earning his riding.

Young sensation Anthony Messere showing the group how to spin the opening drop.

Brandon Semenuk was challenged to manual the wood deck step up, he did it first try. "I didn't say I would clear the drop." -Semenuk

Conor Macfarlane throwing a stylish tuck no hander.

Crankworxs Colarado practice day 2

by TrueMotionMedia

Views: 1,750 Faves: 35 Comments: 1

Be sure to check back for more from Winter Park. If you aren't able to make it here be sure to watch the events live on Pinkbike.com!

Posted In:
Racing and Events Crankworx

Author Info:

devonbalet
Member since May 5, 2007
70 articles

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34 Comments

28 2

leboeuf (Jul 28, 2011 at 22:10)

Semenuk for President!

24 1

nightsy (Jul 28, 2011 at 22:17)

i think you mean prime minister

17 2

b4life (Jul 28, 2011 at 22:28)

or both? (Leader of the World)

14 2

stab (Jul 28, 2011 at 22:37)

I believe it's pronounced Semehuck

leboeuf (Jul 29, 2011 at 5:20)

@nyterider Yeah you're right, didn't see it that way!! haha

bikerben69 (Jul 28, 2011 at 22:38)

thats conor mcfarlane from NZ not conor fearon hes an auzzie!!!!!!

IanHylands (Jul 28, 2011 at 22:44)

Yeah you can tell the kiwi slopestyle riders, they all run the single elbow pad

dubiousdesigns (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:07)

Just like our downhillers that don't wear gloves...

adirtjumper2010 (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:42)

1 - Semenuk
2- Pilgrim
3 - Messere

Whats everyone else think?

southwestdh (Jul 29, 2011 at 1:48)

i wouldnt mind seeing a european having some succes across the pond so i hope pilgrim soderstrome and granari do well but i reakon messere and semanuk will do well seeing as they are on fire atm

iainmac-1 (Jul 29, 2011 at 3:02)

I think this is Pilgrims comp fo sho. Good luck to everyone!

adirtjumper2010 (Jul 29, 2011 at 5:47)

To be honest I want Pilgrim to win the Overall but Semenuk is on fire at the minute, they are 2 of my favourite riders but I cant decide which one will win!

elgoogyug (Jul 29, 2011 at 8:15)

its between them three, really hard to tell whos going to take the win, Messere and Semenuk have different riding styles to pilgram. Gonna be soo sick to find out the podium!

thinkbike FL (Jul 29, 2011 at 10:35)

This could be a golden opportunity for Pilgrim. He looks dialed on this course! I hope he fired his tube supplier.

dysonchambers (Jul 29, 2011 at 6:34)

i think that semenuk is going to have to step it up a little for this comp because i know pilgrim and martin have solid tricks, so it will be interesting to see who wins this one

dysonchambers (Jul 29, 2011 at 6:04)

i think that semenuk is going to have to step it up a little for this comp because i know pilgrim and soderstrum(dont know how to spell his name) have solid tricks so it should be interesting to see who wins

phlo (Jul 29, 2011 at 5:26)

Props to the Photog for making the dual course look not as lame as it actually is.

devonbalet (Jul 29, 2011 at 6:39)

Thank you!

phlo (Jul 29, 2011 at 6:46)

All the shots are sick! The slalom course seems like a last minute thought on construction.

jaketinnelly (Jul 28, 2011 at 22:14)

Those whoops look pretty fun

jordanmtbr (Jul 28, 2011 at 22:39)

connor fearon riding slopestyle now aye?
try again.
Conor Macfarlane fits the pic a bit better...

nico100 (Jul 29, 2011 at 0:07)

Lopes is a freaking legend.

devonbalet (Jul 28, 2011 at 22:40)

Sorry everyone, I got a name mix-up. Getting that fixed right now. Thanks for checking out the post!

love2freeride (Jul 28, 2011 at 22:13)

Should be a good slope show

Bjammin (Jul 28, 2011 at 22:24)

Conner Fearon rides Slope? dats cool

raunders-rick (Jul 28, 2011 at 22:38)

Nah it's actually Conor Macfarlane, not Fearon.

Bjammin (Jul 29, 2011 at 8:15)

oh I thought it said fearon

dydanz (Jul 29, 2011 at 2:54)

can anyone tell what's Anthony Messere's bike frame model? looks so sexy..

djumper99 (Jul 29, 2011 at 7:54)

morpheus It might be a skyla or a prototype

dydanz (Aug 18, 2011 at 23:40)

yeah, just saw it at morpheus site. wondering can get this bike easily, hard (or maybe none) to find them in Indonesia.

djumper99 (Aug 21, 2011 at 12:35)

I think you have to order them from their website

trekiscool (Jul 29, 2011 at 8:50)

Sam and Martin are looking craaaaaazy.

DJ08 (Jul 29, 2011 at 12:58)

yea go Ben !! your rockin it!!!

bikerofestacada (Jul 28, 2011 at 22:21)

jeaaa go semenuk!