Rotorua Gets Pumped: Photo Epic - Crankworx Rotorua 2017
After rain wreaked havoc on yesterday's competitions, the sun began to shine this afternoon in time for the Pumptrack Challenge presented by RockShox here at Crankworx Rotorua 2017. Both the crowds of spectators and the racers had been getting anxious waiting on the weather, and the pump track event under the lights was just what everyone needed to turn the vibe up a notch.
With the crowd in his corner all night, Rotorua local Keegan Wright was able to knock off rider after rider on his way to the final matchup with Adrien Loron. Loron, who is the current Crankworx Pumptrack Champion, was looking to get his first ever win here in Rotorua, while Wright was intent on giving the locals a reason to celebrate. Keegan had been unstoppable all night, especially down the final straightways. And when he pulled a lead out of the last corner on both his heats against Loron, it was obvious there was would be no catching the young Kiwi. It would be his first Crankworx event win, and in the process denied Adrien Loron that elusive win in Rotorua for the third straight year.
In the Women's race, all eyes were on defending Queen of Crankworx, Jill Kintner and rival Caroline Buchanan. Jill dominated this event last season winning all three rounds while Caroline had been absent due to her Olympic BMX obligations. So it was good to see both powerhouse riders here in Rotorua racing head to head once again. After the first heat it looked like it would be in Jill's favor as she had started on the slower blue lane, but on the second heat she threw her advantage away after she drifted high on one of the big right-hand turns. With the soft nature of the track, there was no way to recover from a mistake, and that allowed Buchanan to beat her to the line by about one bike length.
In the small final which would decide the third spot on the podium Danielle Beecroft took down Shania Rawson, while Barry Nobles narrowly edged out Mitch Ropelato by the smallest of margins. With his third place finish, Barry Noblefgutts would also share the podium for the second time in Crankworx history with his fiancé, Caroline Buchanan.
Racers ready...
The view from the start gate as seen by Barry Nobles.
Chainless riding meant that the riders needed to pop up really high to get that first pump and send them down the start ramp.
Close racing as viewed from the Maori carving at the end of the straight.
Very close racing.
Defending Queen of Crankworx, Jill Kintner.
Back from a year focusing on BMX and the Olympics, Caroline Buchanan has her sights set on Queen of Crankworx title for 2017.
The blur of Mitch Ropelato.
Cody Johnson in a drag race with Mitch Ropelato to kick off the night.
Defending champ Adrien Loron missed out narrowly today.
A close race to second place keeps Adrien in contention for another overall, and he doesn't look to gutted about it either.
Keegan Wright.
Keegan Wright riding like a man possessed.
Jill Kintner.
Bernard Kerr and Mitch Ropelato debrief after their 1/16 final.
Keegan sure does make some seriously interesting shapes on the bike.
Giveaways and Mexican waves thanks to this guy.
EWS Racer Cody Kelley made it into the top 32 main event but his night would end in the first round.
Grit and determination for Barry Nobles.
Tomas Slavic injured his wrist in practice and struggled to keep pace in the main event.
Jill sits patiently awaiting her heat, while the big screen behind her pays tribute to her Queen of Crankworx title.
The racing was as close as ever in Rotorua tonight, and with the earlier start came a lighter race than last year.
Bryn watches intently as his wife, Jill Kintner, goes into a race with local rider Shania Rawson.
Jill Kintner slipped up in this corner against Caroline Buchanan, losing precious speed before the final straight and the race to the line.
Phil Atwill in his signature pump track brown trousers,
Eyes on the prize for Barry, who would make the podium again here in Rotorua with his other half, too!
Austin Warren made the main event on his first trip overseas in a few years.
Anneke made qualies but was knocked out by local Shania Rawson.
Danielle Beecroft almost knocked out Caroline Buchanan in the semi-final round.
Young local lass Shania Rawson has been dominating the local female gravity scene all season and dug deep today against some seasoned pros, a hugely credible 4th will only help fuel her fire even more.
Barry Nobles elbows out Mitch Ropelato for 3rd.
Caroline Buchanan muscles down the final straight.
Caroline Buchanan nips Jill Kintner at the line.
After winning all three pump track events at last year's Crankworx, Jill Kintner found her match in Rotorua.
Keegan Wright death grips it to the line ahead of Barry Nobles.
Hopefully the only thing raining from here on out in Rotorua is Champagne.
Congrats on your first Crankworx event win Keegan Wright.
MENTIONS: @officialcrankworx / @davetrumpore / @FRNZ / @cameronmackenzie / @AJBarlas
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Just me? Okay.
But what piss me off is that for second year pb spell it Slavic... Is it problem to write it properly...? Tomas Slavik ...?!!!!
That's Danielle Beecroft.