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Photo Epic: Dual Slalom Finals - Crankworx Rotorua 2019
Crankworx is back and it began with everyone's favourite event - the dual slalom. As you may have heard, dual slalom is now an official Crankworx World Tour event meaning we will see a Crankworx Dual Slalom World Champ at the end of the year in Whistler. Previously, a highly talented field raced this action packed event with non other that Jill Kitner and Tomas Slavik winning their gates in 2018. It’s safe to say for 2019, however, that we will see and different Pro Women's winner, and Queen of Crankworx all together, since Jill has officially pulled out of competing in CWXs, committing to her EWS goals. Fear not though as there is enough talent going around on the start list ready to fire all cylinders.
There aren’t many other even formats that thrive on showcasing riders' multi discipline skill sets on beautifully manicured berms and bumps in an exciting head to head format. The array of bikes chosen by the athletes has a type of 'race what you brought' attitude as well. Tonight, there were a gang of trail bikes of both wheel sizes, 26in dirtjumpers and slope bikes, and you can't forget the Frankenstein 'trailslope' bikes. It truly is a healthy mix of BMX backgrounds up against downhill racers and even a few freeriders.
Martin Maes out here trying master yet another discipline
Vaea Verbeeck was looking strong in practice. She was definitely one to watch.
Bas van Steenbergen was making himself heard in the earlier rounds. He fought his way into the finals but not without a few close calls.
The beauty of dual slalom is that it attracts riders from different disciplines and backgrounds. Bernard Kerr is racing here on a smaller bike than what were used to seeing.
Mitch Ropelato has been training hard and has high hopes for the upcoming World Cup season. He got knocked out early but not without a fight.
Rachel Strait stuck around and got herself into the top 10.
The women were putting on a heater mixed with dramas and close racing.
Two heavy hitters in their own respects coming through.
Adrien Loron took Mikey Haderer out in the first round and kept climbing the ladder.
Kyle Strait qualified first and up until the finals rounds, it was easy to see why.
Adrien Loron hanging onto Kyle's wheel but never passed.
Barry Nobles taking a cheeky peek at the big screen for reassurance.
Anneke Beerten full gas.
Kate Weatherly just missing out on the podium here at home.
Vaea looking back, making sure Tahnee was getting up from sliding out in the flat corners. This was her ticket into the final round.
Tahnee Seagrave let it all hang out but the loose flat corners had other plans.
Tahnee was ahead of Vaea when they swapped lanes but Vaea had the differential to move on ahead.
Tahnee Seagrave, another well rounded rider, went as high as 3rd place.
Local boy Keegan Wright came out the gate swinging to open up the Crankworx festivities.
Real tight racing between these two. Keegan and Kyle tied in semis without a rerun. Next run down meant sudden death.
Neck and neck
Keegan and Kyle racing for an in to the finals one last time.
In the Women's final, Vaea ahead of Anneke at the bottom of the track.
Ultimately, Vaea had a little more left in the tank and pulled away to victory.
Heat one of the men's final and it was anybody's game at the flat turns.
Bas van Steenbergen was seemingly closing in on Keegan until disaster struck.
Keegan Wright full throttle for the home crowd and taking it for the Men's.
Dual Slalom Pro Podium.
RESULTS
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Member since Jul 12, 2006
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