Update: Men’s field boycotting Crankworx Rotorua Slopestyle

Crankworx was focused on celebrating its tenth year in Rotorua. Instead, it the organization is facing a boycott from athletes in its premiere event. The men’s field for Sunday’s marquee Slopestyle is boycotting the event.

As a result, the men’s Slopestyle will not take place on Sunday. The women’s Slopestyle, the first time the category is scheduled to take place during Crankworx, will take place as planned.

The male riders are demanding better prize money as well as appearance feed for all male athletes in Crankworx Slopestyle competitions.

The surprise move comes well into this week’s practice sessions in Rotorua. Both the male and female riders have significant practice time invested in competing this weekend. Never mind the costs and time spent travelling to New Zealand for the event.

Update: Rider’s statement

Following the official announcement by Crankworx, the riders released a statement explaining their decision to boycott Sunday’s competition. While they will not be competing, the statement says the men’s field will “will be at the event in full support of the girls as they make history with the first ever female Diamond Slopestyle event. We will also be riding the McGazza train out out there for our fans.”

“We all came to Rotorua with the full intention to start our season. So why aren’t we riding?” The letter goes on to explain that rider “welfare, safety, compensation” and “communication and decision-making” are at issue. It also states these concerns apply to the FMB World Tour and Crankworx World Tour, not just Crankworx Rotorua.

On the safety front, riders are requesting more input on competition timing and practice sessions. Crankworx Whistler was infamously cancelled after one of two competition runs and a lengthy weather delay in 2023.

Riders are also drawing attention to support, financial and on the ground, for competitors. Specifically, younger riders that are not yet stars. The statement claims the athletes have resorted to helping funding  flights for newer riders that earn spots on the tour but can’t necessarily afford to travel to the geographically disparate Crankworx World Tour events. The statement claims rider support isn’t just low, it’s being reduced this year. While prize money has gone up for top riders, lodging support and on the ground is being cut back. “When there’s a buffet for the Crankworx members but absolutely no catering at all for riders,” the statement says, “something is drastically wrong”

Finally, the riders are making clear that this is not a sudden change in their demands and it should not be unexpected.

“Time after time we’ve either been ignored, denied or simply not taken seriously which has left us with no other option but to make a point the only way we can. We have felt disrespected and unheard when all we’ve requested is support for all riders.”

You can read that statement in full on Canadian Slopestyle athlete Ben Thompson’s instagram.

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A post shared by Ben Thompson (@benthompson101)

 

Crankworx official statement:

Crankworx wishes to inform our fans, participants, and the wider community of recent developments regarding the upcoming Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship event scheduled for this Sunday. 

The male competitors of the Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship event on Sunday, March 24, have decided not to participate in this year’s competition. This decision came after a series of negotiations aimed at addressing Rider requests around remuneration and support infrastructure.

We are committed to delivering an exceptional experience at Crankworx Rotorua, with a full schedule of events still set to go ahead. This includes the first ever Women’s Diamond Level Slopestyle World Championship event, along with other competitive and community events that celebrate the rich culture of mountain biking, giving the next generation a platform to ride and compete. 

The flagship event for Crankworx 2024 – the monumental Diamond Level Women’s Slopestyle World Championship event, will proceed as planned. We look forward to showcasing their talent and passion for the sport. 

We respect the athletes’ decision and remain committed to fostering a positive and supportive environment for all athletes within the Crankworx community. While we have been listening, onsite feedback has shown that some male Slopestyle athletes feel that their voices have not being heard by the event organizers when it comes to weather and course build decisions. Crankworx is committed to giving all athletes a stage and decision-making power by establishing frameworks and processes as well as continuing to have an open line of communication between the riders and the Crankworx management team. Despite a 10% increase in prize money from 2023 to 2024 for Crankworx Rotorua, and similar increases for other Crankworx World Tour festivals, the athletes also demanded the establishment of an appearance fee for all male athletes as well as another significant raise of the prize money across all Crankworx World Tour festivals. Whilst the Crankworx World Tour agreed to an additional prize money raise for Crankworx Rotorua, bringing it to a 37% increase (compared to 2023) after conversations and negotiations with the athletes, this offer has been refused and countered by the male athletes. Given the structure of the Freeride Mountain Bike Association (FMBA) and the framework the Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship operates in as a professional sport, Crankworx cannot effectuate an appearance fee or an additional prize money increase as demanded by the male athletes.

We know many will be disappointed that the men’s category of the event will not proceed as planned. Crankworx Rotorua extends its gratitude to our partners, volunteers, and the wider mountain biking community for their continued support. We remain dedicated to the sport of mountain biking and to delivering events that reflect the passion, unity, and incredible talent of our global community.