Crankworx Cairns begins, drawing in world class athletes and thousands of spectators

More than 8000 spectators are expected to head to Smithfield Mountain Bike Park this week, to watch the world’s best mountain bikers show off their skills at one of the sport’s biggest events.

Will Sciban competes in the U19 Men's Dual Slalom quarter finals at the first day of the Cairns round of the Crankworx World Tour, held at the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

More than 8000 spectators are expected to converge on Smithfield Mountain Bike Park to watch some of the world’s best mountain bikers compete this week.

Zahir Khan competes in the U19 Men’s Dual Slalom quarter finals at the first day of the Cairns round of the Crankworx World Tour, held at the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

Crankworx Cairns kicked off on Wednesday May 21, the second of three stops on the tour of the world’s biggest mountain biking festival.

The other two stops are in Rotorua, New Zealand, and Whistler, Canada.

Oliver Colthup flies off a jump in the U19 Men’s Dual Slalom quarter finals at the first day of the Cairns round of the Crankworx World Tour, held at the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

Riders will compete in a range of mountain biking disciplines including downhill, dual slalom, pump track and a world-first full tilt event during the festival, which runs until Sunday, May 25.

Indy Deavoli competes in the U19 Women's Dual Slalom quarter finals at the first day of the Cairns round of the Crankworx World Tour, held at the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

Talented Far North riders will be able to mingle with some of the world’s best mountain bike champs.

World champions will also be crowned in the slopestyle event, named the Crankworx Freeride Mountain Bike Association Slopestyle World Championship.

Bailey Mills competes in the U19 Men's Dual Slalom quarter finals at the first day of the Cairns round of the Crankworx World Tour, held at the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said Crankworx provided a huge economic boost for the Far North, with the 2024 festival bringing in $7m for the region.

Sebastian Zaccaria is a 16-year-old downhill competitor from Brisbane, who is competing in Crankworx Cairns for the second time.

Aim Hocking and Chad Smith hit the jump simultaneously in the U19 Men’s Dual Slalom quarter finals at the first day of the Cairns round of the Crankworx World Tour, held at the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

He began training on Thursday and said he couldn’t wait to begin competing.

“I’m stoked to be back. I’m happy with the course … I’m super excited,” Sebastian said.

Sebastian’s mum, Sarah Tebbutt, said her “heart is in (her) mouth” watching him race, but she loved how much he enjoyed it.

Chase Minos and Jackson McPherson go head to head in the U19 Men's Dual Slalom quarter finals at the first day of the Cairns round of the Crankworx World Tour, held at the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Often I have that thought – what kind of mum am I sending my kid down this mountain? But he absolutely loves it,” she said.

“He’s come a long way – he trains pretty much every day … and I’ve seen him do the work to put himself in a position to get down safely.”

Will Bull competes in the U19 Men’s Dual Slalom quarter finals at the first day of the Cairns round of the Crankworx World Tour, held at the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

Friends Bailey Mills and Will Bull raced against each other in the first round of qualifying for the men’s under 19s dual slalom event.

Will, 17 from Sydney, said the competition was “extremely” competitive but “very healthy”.

Ethan Aleckson and Max Turner go head to head in the U19 Men's Dual Slalom quarter finals at the first day of the Cairns round of the Crankworx World Tour, held at the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

Will and 17-year-old Bailey, from Brisbane, both said their dream was to eventually compete in a mountain biking world cup.

“To get there is really hard,” Will said.

“But this is where it all starts.”

Originally published as Crankworx Cairns begins, drawing in world class athletes and thousands of spectators