Crankworx Whistler is the ultimate celebration of mountain biking, bringing together adrenaline junkies, professional athletes, and passionate fans from around the world. With a lineup of 12 thrilling events across 10 action-packed days (July 21 to 30), this festival offers an unforgettable experience for anyone with a love for two-wheeled adventure.
Here are three, can’t-miss events that will keep your heart pounding and jaw on the floor at Crankworx Whistler 2023.
OUTDOOR RESEARCH SPEED & STYLE
Date: July 28 (Finals 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM)
Location: Boneyard, Whistler Mountain Bike Park
Started in: 2012
First Winner: Brendan Fairclough (GBR)
2022 Winner: Tomas Lemoine (FRA) and Jordy Scott (USA)
Combining elements of Dual Slalom and Slopestyle, Speed & Style challenges athletes to out-race and out-trick their opponent in this head-to-head format. Two riders race against each other and try to make it to the finish as quickly as possible while managing speed so they can throw down high-scoring tricks mid-run. Scores are calculated based on speed, with additional points awarded for style.
Athletes to Watch:
Garret Mechem (USA): Garret Mechem has been a man on a mission in the Speed & Style category in 2023. Mechem kicked off his successful S&S run with a respectable 4th place in Rotorua and kept his foot firmly on the gas pedal from there, as he followed up with a big win in Cairns and a solid 3rd place finish most recently at Innsbruck. The 24-yr-old currently sits in 8th place in the overall rankings and will look for another big win in Whistler as he looks to close the gap on the elusive King of Crankworx title.
Robin Goomes (NZL): When it comes to Speed & Style, Robin Goomes has these skills in spades. The 26-yr-old veteran of the New Zealand Army has shown her grit and determination since her opening win of the season on home soil in Rotorua, and never looked back. Coming into Whistler hot on the heels of another huge Speed & Style win in Innsbruck, Goomes has established herself as the one to beat. Sitting in 6th place in the Queen of Crankworx standings, Goomes will be in the hunt for another important victory in her race to catch defending champ Caroline Buchanan for the overall crown.
RED BULL JOYRIDE
Date: July 29th (Finals 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM)
Location: Boneyard, Whistler Mountain Bike Park
Started in: 2004
First Winner: Paul Basagoitia (USA)
2022 Winner: (SWE)
“...the Super Bowl of the mountain biking world” -Bike Magazine
Prepare yourself for the most exhilarating, slopestyle, mountain, bike competition on the planet. Red Bull Joyride is the ultimate battleground where the world’s top riders compete for the prestigious Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship and the Triple Crown of Slopestyle.
The top 14 riders in the world bring their A-game to this invitation-only showcase, each interpreting the custom-built course in their unique style and leaving it all on the line for a chance at glory. Located in the notorious “Boneyard,” at the base of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, this event features high-scoring tricks, death-defying stunts and fierce competition that will leave you in awe. With 35,000+ fans assembling to watch (and millions more following from home), this is one spectacle you won’t want to miss.
Athletes to Watch:
Emil Johansson (SWE): The stylish Swede is coming off impressive slopestyle wins at Crankworx World Tour stops in Cairns, Australia and Innsbruck Austria, which saw him officially overtake Whistler legend, Brandon Semenuk who held the record with 11 career Crankworx Slopestyle victories. These consecutive wins clinched Johansson’s third Triple Crown of Slopestyle in as many years. Now the winningest athlete in Slopestyle history, Johansson will be in the hunt for another big win as he looks to further cement his legacy as the greatest Slopestyle athlete of all time.
Dawid Godziek (POL): Perhaps if not for a certain Swedish superstar, we would be talking about Dawid Godziek’s rise to glory, as he has finished a close second (less than 2 points per contest) in every Crankworx Slopestyle this season. However, this Polish powerhouse has plenty left in the tank and a few tricks up his sleeve as he looks to upset Johansson in impressive fashion in the final slopestyle contest of the season.
CANADIAN OPEN ENDURO
Date: July 30th (8:30 AM to 4:30 PM)
Location: Multi-stage race throughout the Whistler Valley and Whistler Mountain Bike Park
Started in: 2009
First Winners: Brian Lopes (USA) and Fionn Griffiths (GBR)
2022 Winners: Jesse Melamed (CAN) and Harriet Harnden (GBR)
Watch in awe as everyday enthusiasts push their limits and race alongside the pros as they challenge their skills in the ultimate test of endurance and speed. The Canadian Open Enduro, a past EWS event, will now award the National Championship titles for 2023. Back and better than ever, riders from around the world will descend upon Whistler to take on some of the gnarliest trails on the planet.
With multiple descents, each more treacherous than the last, riders must dig deep and lay it all out on the line to come out on top. And with a constantly changing course that rewards versatility and raw talent, this is the ultimate showcase of mountain biking skills. With the new format, this year’s event also brings a huge increase in prize money. Elites will race for their share of a $20,000 prize purse, split between the men’s and women’s events. Come watch these incredible athletes put their bodies (and reputations) on the line for a chance at big money, bragging rights and the illustrious Canadian Open Enduro crown.
Athletes to Watch:
Jesse Melamed (CAN) & Andreane Lanthier Nadeau (CAN): Former teammates on the Rocky Mountain Enduro Team, Melamed and Lanthier Nadeau are at the pinnacle of their respective categories within this gruelling sport. Melamed is coming off a career-best season that saw him win the Enduro World Series (EWS) overall title and is the defending champion of the Whistler event. Lanthier Nadeau is also amidst an impressive run of her own as she is coming off of back-to-back UCI World Cup wins earlier this year in Maydena and Blue Derby, Tasmania, Australia.
KING AND QUEEN OF CRANKWORX
The race to be crowned King or Queen of the Crankworx World Tour is considered to be the most difficult competition in mountain biking. This season-long, multidisciplinary challenge kicked off at the season’s start in Rotorua, heated up in Cairns, reach a fever pitch in Innsbruck, and finally crown its champions in Whistler.
Points are tabulated across events and disciplines. The riders who earn the most points across the season earn the crowns, and an additional $20,000 each. 2nd place takes $10,000 and 3rd $5000.
Who to watch for:
After three stops already in the bag on the World Tour, these riders will be pushing for points.
King of Crankworx
Jackson Frew (AUS) 500 points
Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (NZL) 559 points
Bas van Steenbergen*(CAN) 596 points *2021, 2022 King of Crankworx
Queen of Crankworx
Jenna Hastings (NZL) 580 points
Martha Gill (GBR) 600 points
Caroline Buchanan* (AUS) 803 points *2022 Queen of Crankworx
Where to watch:
Points for King and Queen will be up for grabs in the following events:
Tuesday, July 25th: Air DH
Thursday, July 27th: Crankworx Whistler Dual Slalom
Wednesday, July 26th: Ultimate Pump Track Challenge
Friday, July 28th: Outdoor Research Speed & Style Whistler
Saturday, July 29th: Red Bull Joyride (Men’s Category Only)
Sunday, July 30th: Canadian Open Enduro
From the high-flying action of Red Bull Joyride to the intense battles of the Speed & Style and the heart-stopping speed of the Canadian Open Enduro, each event offers a unique and unforgettable experience–there’s something for everyone at this one-of-a-kind festival! Don’t miss out on the adrenaline-fueled action and be a part of this incredible celebration of mountain biking in the breathtaking setting of Whistler, British Columbia this July.
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