Crankworx Rotorua: Underdog local goes the distance in Dual Speed & Style

Local's wild ride in Dual Speed & Style, plus pump track challenge highlights

Terry McKall March 23, 2018

Crankworx Rotorua 2018 — Canadian Mitch Chubey early in the evening’s events Credit: Fraser Britton / Crankworx 2018

Crankworx Rotorua Mons Royal Dual Speed & Style, an event format that always delivers unpredictable racing, produced what could be the story of the week yesterday. Local New Zealander Joe Simpson, who spent the earlier part of the day setting up tents and working his regular job for Specialized, decided to give the event a go. To the audible delight of the home crowd, Simpson’s unlikely run saw him knock out a series of the sports biggest names to make it into the final against Martin Söderström. A massive crash, when the rotation on Söderström and Simpson’s side-by-side 360’s brought them into contact mid-air, denied fans a proper end to their Cinderella story, but Simpson was still smiling, thrilled to end an unexpected night on the podium.

Simpson’s unexpected run on the finals wasn’t the only big story of the night, as a combination of King of Crankworx points and Dual Speed & Style world championships standings brought riders together in closely fought battles all night. Big names went out early, or raced to near-ties as the increasingly popular event continues to attract a higher level of competition.

Crankworx Rotorua’s two main events are still to come, with Saturday’s Crankworx Rotorua Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza starting off the quest for the Slopestyle Triple Crown, and Sunday’s Rotorua Downhill pitting some of the world’s best World Cup downhill racers, including Canadian’s Finn Iles and Miranda Miller, against a wild track that alternates between flat out speed and steep, rowdy terrian. UPDATE: Weather has forced organizers to reschedule the Slopestyle event to an earlier start time, meaning it will be streamed live in Canada mid-Friday evening.

Crankworx Rotorua Mons Royale dual Speed & Style – Full Replay

Crankworks Rotorua – Rockshox Rotorua Pump Track Challenge

Another event playing into both the King and Queen of Crankworx, Wednesday’s Rockshox Rotorua Pump Track Challenge saw competitors going head to head, chainless, in a high speed test of bike handling skills. Two runs per match-up, with the fastest cumulative time advancing.

Crankworx Rotorua Pump track — Strait puts the hammer down to sneak past Loron to move on. Credit: Fraser Britton / Crankworx 2018

Crankworks Rotorua – Rockshox Rotrua Pump Track Challenge Highlights

Crankworks Rotorua – Rockshox Rotrua Pump Track Challenge Full Replay