Event Preview - Crankworx Les Gets 2016

Jun 15, 2016
by Dave Trumpore  
Les Gets
Crankworx Les Gets 2016


CRANKWORX

LES GETS
Words & Photography // Dave Trumpore & Olly Forster




The hallowed slopes of Les Gets, France were once a staple destination for the World Cup circuit, even hosting the 2004 world championships. An event that went down in history and one that a certain well-known Englishman would like to forget. But this sleepy mountain town in the southeast of the country, in spitting distance of the Swiss border and with its noisier neighbour, Morzine just down the road, has been somewhat forgotten in recent years. That is until Crankworx began looking for an alternate location for their European stop.

Packed with the necessary infrastructure for a hosting a large event, Les Gets' attraction to the team at Crankworx was never in doubt. From its established trail network, bike park, modern facilities and above all else, surrounded by similar resorts, riding destinations and a rad bike scene. While Les Gets ticks nearly all the boxes required for putting on a MTB show to remember, there is one which can never be truly crossed off; the weather. Les Gets comes in two distinct meteorological flavours - sun kissed and dusty, and wet and slippery. And as we all know, when you're in the mountains, you play by their rules and this year the weather has taken a turn for the worse, but hey, we're mountain bikers and the show must go on...


It s beautiful here once you gain a little elevation surrounded by the Swiss and French Alps.
It's beautiful here once you gain a little elevation, surrounded by the Swiss and French Alps.

Crankworx Les Gets 2016

The Portes du Soleil region boasts some of the most extensive lift serviced riding anywhere in the world.
The Portes du Soleil region boasts some of the most extensive lift serviced riding anywhere in the world.

A few pieces of history are kicking around town from the last time a major MTB event was held in Les Gets. Like the podium from 2004 World Champs that has been repourposed as a bus stop.
A few pieces of history are kicking around town from the last time a major MTB event was held in Les Gets. Like the podium from the 2004 World Champs that has been repourposed as a bus stop.

With weeks of heavy rain the rivers through Les Gets and Morzine are raging right now.
With weeks of heavy rain the rivers through Les Gets and Morzine are raging right now.

Current condition on the ground.
Current condition on the ground.

An overview of the main venue that will play host to most of the action.
An overview of the main venue that will play host to most of the action.

The slope style looks awesome but due to heavy rain during construction it is still yet to be ridden or tested by anyone.
The slopestyle course looks awesome, but due to heavy rain during construction it is still yet to be ridden or tested by anyone.

Crankworx Les Gets 2016

Still a work in progress but all the right pieces are in place for an excellent course.
Still a work in progress, but all the right pieces are in place for an excellent course.

Lots of attention to the finer details here in Les Gets.
Lots of attention to the finer details here in Les Gets.

Crankworx Les Gets 2016

It s soft out here. Very vey very soft.
It's soft out here. Very vey very soft.

Crankworx Les Gets 2016

The biggest challenge to the slope style builders has been heavy rain and there is still a lot of work to do packing in the massive landings.
The biggest challenge for the slopestyle builders has been heavy rain, and there is still a lot of work to do packing in the massive landings.

Crankworx Les Gets 2016

Crankworx Les Gets 2016

A little blue sky brings with it some optimism.
A little blue sky brings with it some optimism.

Main Street Les Gets.
Main Street Les Gets.

Lots of riders are still rolling into town some a bit faster than others.
Lots of riders are still rolling into town, some a bit faster than others.

Crankworx Les Gets 2016

Extensive wood work is a hallmark of these Apline ski villages.
Extensive wood work is a hallmark of these Apline ski villages.

What we d love right now is a little more sunshine.
What we'd love right now is a little more sunshine.

Kidsworx was in full effect with lots of groms sessioning their own mini venue complete with skills course and pumptrack.
Kidsworx was in full effect with lots of groms sessioning their own mini venue, complete with skills course and pumptrack.

Crankworx Les Gets 2016

Crankworx Les Gets 2016

Tarps a plenty are covering all the fresh dirt work on the pumptrack.
Tarps a plenty are covering all the fresh dirt work on the pumptrack.

Crankworx Les Gets 2016

This could be a hot spot onThursday if the current weather forecast holds true.
This could be a hot spot on Thursday if the current weather forecast holds true.

On the other side of the valley there is an awesome and fresh cut DH track full that should make for some epic racing this weekend.
On the other side of the valley there is an awesome and fresh cut DH track that should make for some epic racing this weekend.

Crankworx Les Gets 2016

Many riders were seeing heading up the lifts to explore the trails over in Morzine today. All of them returned completely covered in mud from head to toe.
Many riders were seen heading up the lifts to explore the trails over in Morzine today. All of them returned completely covered in mud from head to toe.

Jack readies the Specialized pits while Loris Vergier s bike still covered in mud from his 2nd place run in Leogang awaits some attention.
Jack readies the Specialized pits while Loris Vergier's bike, still covered in mud from his 2nd place run in Leogang, awaits some attention.

Anneke Beerten is one to keep an eye on for the Queen of Crankworx title where she is in a points battle with Jill Kintner and Casey Brown.
Anneke Beerten is one to keep an eye on for the Queen of Crankworx title where she is in a points battle with Jill Kintner and Casey Brown.

It was awesome to see the legend that is Hans Rey out shredding in the mud today. Smiling and 50 years young.
It was awesome to see the legend that is Hans Rey out shredding in the mud today. Smiling and 50-years young.

Mick and Needles getting ready to play in the mud.
Mick and Needles getting ready to play in the mud.

Sam Reynolds tests out a rolloff system that he reckons might come in handy during slopestyle.
Sam Reynolds tests out a rolloff system that he reckons might come in handy during slopestyle.

It s going to be a rowdy week here in Les Gets.
It's going to be a rowdy week here in Les Gets.

MENTIONS: @officialcrankworx


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23 Comments
  • 78 0
 Les Gets started!
  • 9 2
 Punny! I like it
  • 3 1
 lol
  • 10 6
 Les Gets retarded!
  • 6 0
 He is here all week folks....
  • 4 2
 Hmmm, Les see... ...oh, OK, I Gets what you're saying now.
  • 9 0
 Got to see a course preview vid! Claudio??
  • 2 15
flag abbfan2 (Jun 15, 2016 at 21:03) (Below Threshold)
 best comment on all of pinkbike
  • 2 0
 it's not a UCI world cup so I think no, last year it was Tracey Hannah
  • 5 0
 There is no better atmosphere to be around then a big Mtb event like the crankworx and WC events. It's a small community of great, talented people. Wish I were there but we have front row seats with this great coverage.
  • 6 0
 that whale tale feature looks kinda awkward on the slope course. i wanna see how that rides.
  • 5 0
 Really interested to see how the slant-wallride works between the two whale-tail features.. and if any one tricks it...
  • 2 0
 Hans Rey Bouncy bouncy yaaarr ! LEGEND !
  • 1 0
 so is slopestyle and whip off on the Mt Chery side of the valley and then DH race on Chavannes side?
  • 1 0
 Opposite way round dude. Dh is on mont chery. Whip off & slope are on chavannes.
  • 1 0
 Claudio's company should do the pump tracks for cwx
  • 1 0
 What was that roll off system picture about?
  • 1 0
 Last Pic caption : So much harder to Aaron Gwin it in the Mud (no chain)
  • 1 2
 How come you posted a ski piste map instead of the summer vtt trail map?
  • 6 0
 Because it's so muddy you might as well be on ski's
  • 1 0
 @biker3335: good answer!
  • 2 0
 @cains08: That's probably just a photo of the piste map at the lift. I'm not sure there is a VTT equivalent in full board size.
  • 1 0
 @dglobulator: I think you're right.







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