New Zealand's Stars on the Rise by officialcrankworx

The Professionals Rotorua National Schools Downhill Championships at Skyline in Rotorua New Zealand. Photo by clint trahan Crankworx.com

Dropping in from the top of the world.

PRESS RELEASE: Crankworx

If the talent and depth of field from the Professionals Rotorua National Schools MTB Championships is any indication, the next generation of riders in New Zealand are set to take the world by storm.

In 2017, this trio of events, including the Cross Country (XCO), Team Relay (XCR) and Downhill (DH) Championships, joined the Crankworx Rotorua event roster for the first time, boasting 306 athletes from across the country.

Come 2018, those numbers soared. Nearly 400 talented young riders ranging in ages from 10 to 19 got amongst the Crankworx Rotorua festivities, sending it on one of the biggest stages in the world.

The Professionals Rotorua New Zealand Schools MTB National Team Relay Championships at Waipa in Rotura New Zealand. Photo by clint trahan Crankworx.com

A little taste of the energy these hundreds of riders brought to Crankworx Rotorua 2018.

Here’s a look back at some of the moments that warmed our hearts, got us stoked and gave us an extra dose of faith that the future of MTB in the Southern Hemisphere is in very capable, talented and well-calloused hands.

Photos: Clint Trahan

Professionals Rotorua National Schools Downhill

Game face, strong. Luke Hanna from St Paul's Collegiate in Hamilton charges for a seventh place finish in the U14 Boys category on the DH track at Skyline Rotorua MTB Gravity Park.

Brin Riley from Wakatipu High School picks his line through the upper section of the DH track.

Waimea College's Fergus Reynolds, letting the dirt fly in the U16 Boys race.

Finn Hawkesby-Browne of Hagley College styles it out, and takes second place in U17 Boys.

A taste of DH victory - U13 Boys and Girls podium: Ryan Hastings from John Paul College (1), Bill Axon from Reremoana Primary School (2), William Savage representing Tauranga Intermediate School (3) and Sacha Earnest of Saint Kentigern College, taking the top spot #FerdaGirls.

Professionals Rotorua National Schools Cross Country (XCO) Championships

Professioals Rotorua National School MTB Championships 2018 at Waipa in Rotorua New Zealand. Photo by clint trahan ccrankworx.com

Riders, ready? XC action took off from Waipa, the gateway to Rotorua's storied Whakarewarewa Forest.

Leaving the noise of the start gate behind, riders are left to battle it out against the forest, their opponents and themselves.

After three laps, Isobel Wotton of Trident High School would take the top step in the U17 Girls race.

Kerikeri High School's James Oxley getting amongst the Redwoods of the Whakarewarewa Forest.

Maxwell Wickens of Wellington College, racers hot on his tail, would finish true to his race plate, taking second in the U20 Boys category.

Connor Wilmshurst of Katikati College crushing through four laps in the U16 Boys race.

Full send mode for the fans.

Professionals Rotorua National Schools Cross Country Team Relay (XCR)

The team from Tauhara College rode strong, finishing just off the podium in fourth.

A Cambridge Middle School rider picks his line over the roots.

From just outside Rotorua, a competitor from Mt Maunganui Intermediate pedals through one of nine laps in the U16 Boys race.

A local student from Rotorua Lakes High School gets congrats as he crosses the line. This one was all about the team, with up to 12 laps of the course total between team members.

U20 Mixed top three finishers: Mt Maunganui College (1), Waimea College (2), Macleans College (3). Prizes were awarded for U16 Boys, Girls and Mixed, as well as U20 Boys, Girls and Mixed.

Until next year...

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officialcrankworx

Member since Jul 14, 2011
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