Crankworx Cairns 2023 launches with action-fuelled day one, from huge tricks to big stacks
‘The biggest mountain bike event in the world’ began its 2023 iteration at Smithfield Mountain Bike Park with event organisers confident there’ll be something for all 9000 expected spectators.
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More than 9000 “crazy” spectators are expected to turn up to the Far North’s second edition of Crankworx which brought more than $7.7m to the region in 2022.
On Wednesday, the air at Smithfield was already thick with the smell of Red Bull and the sound of electrified commentators as some of the world’s best mountain bikers cut their first tracks down the rainforest’s hills.
More than 10 million minutes of globally-broadcasted action originated from Cairns Crankworx in 2022.
Event organiser Nathan Bennett said audiences could expect this year’s event to be even better, but the best way to watch was live.
“There was a captive audience waiting for Crankworx to come to Australian shores last year … we’re hoping for sustainable growth in spectators as we build a home here in Cairns,” Mr Bennet said.
“After the first event, the Cairns audience became renowned for being the craziest the event has ever seen. Everyone’s super keen to see the locals in here having a whale of a time.
“We’ve got a jam-packed schedule … the really big one will be party day Saturday. There’ll be something to see every day.
“It’s the biggest mountain biking event in the world and Cairns is the best destination in Australia for it.”
But the event wasn’t without day one drama; the crowd grimaced when Jayden Fleming, who competed in the Whipoff Championship, hit the deck hard while attempting to land on the downslope of a huge jump.
Event ambassador and local competitor Mick Hannah said some younger riders were coming up through the ranks to make for a strong field of competitors.
“There’s some local guys coming through who are keen to get stuck in. It’s cool to see an event like this pull people out of the woodwork,” Mr Hannah said.
“I really want to win the downhill event. I was third last year so I really want to tick that one off, and defend my slalom win from last year.
“Definitely get a ticket and come out here. The most skilled mountain bikers in the world are here … you can’t really comprehend it unless you come and see it.”
The event is expected to bring thousands of tourists to the region.
In 2022, the event resulted in more than 30,000 visitor nights for local accommodation businesses.
Mel Sharman travelled from Tasmania to watch her 17-year-old daughter Leyla compete in Cairns for the first time.
“This festival is incredible,” Ms Sharman said.
“I got to (the Far North) early and did a yoga retreat in Mission Beach … we’re definitely trying to squeeze in some tourist opportunities while we’re here.”
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Originally published as Crankworx Cairns 2023 launches with action-fuelled day one, from huge tricks to big stacks
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