Rachel Atherton was pipped to third place in the Air DH by Frenchwomen Anne-Caro Chausson and Emmeline RagotCrankworx
Women’s Air DH podium (L-R): Emmeline Ragot, Anne-Caroline Chausson and Rachel AthertonCrankworx
Men’s Air DH podium (L-R): Sam Blenkinsop, Brian Lopes and Gee AthertonCrankworx
Brian Lopes displays his sixth Air DH gold medalCrankworx
Whistler’s new Crystal Viper pump trackCrankworx
Brendan Fairclough narrowly missed out on the top spot in the Ultimate Pump Track ChallengeCrankworx
Mitch Ropelato rode to first place in the Ultimate Pump Track ChallengeCrankworx
Jill Kintner took top spot in the women’s Ultimate Pump Track ChallengeCrankworx
Mitch Ropelato didn’t stop grinning all nightCrankworx
Riders took on the huge Kokanee Booter step-down in the VW Trick ShowdownCrankworx
Greg Watts won the first session with a clean double tailwhip backflipCrankworx
Darren Berrecloth pulled a switch 360 look back to cinch round twoCrankworx
Greg Watts and Darren Berrecloth celebrate their wins in the VW Trick ShowdownCrankworx
The Kokanee Crankworx mountain bike festival kicked off on August 7 in Whistler, Canada, with a packed schedule of racing, slopestyle and trials action.
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Early highlighs included a record-breaking win by CRC-Intense’s Chris Kovarik in the Monster Energy Garbanzo DH, billed as the world’s longest downhill race, and a storming performance by Gee Atherton (Commencal) in the dual slalom. Here’s the lowdown on the first six days.
Dual Slalom: Gee Atherton captures the win
With big-time contender Brian Lopes (Ibis-Oakley) crashing out in the first heat of the Pro Men dual slalom semi-finals, Britain’s Gee Atherton (Commencal) managed to fend off young guns Troy Brosnan (Monster Energy-Specialized) and Mitch Ropelato to secure the win on a course that included rhythm sections, a mogul field, tight berms, jumps and drops.
American Ropelato, 18, looked like he might have victory in the bag after winning the holeshot in the first of the two final runs but he crashed, letting Atherton gain the advantage going into the second run. Mick Hannah took third, and fellow Australian Troy Brosnan fourth. “I was playing calm, cool and collected,” said Atherton “It’s quite unexpected, but I’m feeling really stoked. You have to stay calm and have fun. I really enjoyed that.”
Gee Atherton showed the skills that made him downhill world champion to take the win
1
Gee Atherton
2
Mitch Ropelato
3
Mick Hannah
4
Troy Brosnan
1/4 final
Michal Prokop
1/4 final
Bryn Atkinson
1/4 final
Brian Lopes
1/4 final
Steve Smith
1/8 final
Tyler McCaul
1/8 final
Daniel Mazuti
1/8 final
Kirt Voreis
1/8 final
Fabien Cousini
1/8 final
Brendon Fairclough
1/8 final
Brad Oien
1/8 final
Samuel Blenkinsop
1/8 final
Blake Carney
In the Pro Women race, there was a home winner in the shape of Micayla Gatto from Vancouver’s North Shore but a disappointing turnout of just four riders. In each of the two final runs, France’s Emmeline Ragot (Suspension Centre) got the holeshot but Gatto was able to regain the advantage with power and quick turns. Jill Kintner (USA|Transition) finished third and Melissa Buhl (USA) fourth.
