Crankworx comes back but Minister mum on mountain bike expansion
Tourism leaders and athletes have hailed the return of two premier mountain biking events to the Far North next year with the major spectacles poised to generate millions of dollars for the region and attract thousands of visitors.
Cairns
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Tourism leaders and athletes have hailed the return of two premier mountain biking events to the Far North next year, with the major spectacles poised to generate millions of dollars for the region and attract thousands of visitors.
But the Labor government has failed to match the LNP’s election promise to spend $14m upgrading the Smithfield Mountain Biking trails to over 85 kilometres of biking and hiking tracks.
Cairns will host Crankworx and the UCI Masters Mountain Bike World Championships next May on the city’s northern beaches with Division 8 councillor Rhonda Coghlan eagerly welcoming the announcement.
Over the past three years, Crankworx Cairns has delivered almost $20m into the state’s economy and attracted more than 23,000 spectators to the region, Ms Coghlan said.
“This has been an amazing event for Cairns and we’ve seen it grow,” she said.
“This year we expect even more participants, attendees and overseas visitors. Economically, it’s brilliant for Cairns … but what’s more important is Crankworx is viewed around the world with millions of views.
“That makes people excited about that little horseshoe patch in the rainforest with all that red soil and it brings people to Cairns. That’s what we want to see.”
The event – which generates 1.9 million broadcast views globally – gave hotels and restaurants a much needed boost following a difficult wet season, marred by the destruction of Tropical Cyclone Jasper, last December.
“Accommodation on the northern beaches is traditionally a little more up-and-down in places like Palm Cove and Trinity Beach, so it’s great to give them a boost,” Ms Coghlan said.
“At the moment we have mountain biking events but it’s not a mountain biking destination. We want to see people travel to Cairns, then extend their stay to see the reef and the rainforest.”
Last week, the Coalition’s candidate for Barron River Bree James announced that the LNP would expand the Smithfield trails, if elected.
Tourism Minister Michael Healy fell short of matching the commitment on Thursday.
“A lot of it is about the set up and ensuring that we’ve got the appropriate infrastructure,” Mr Healy said.
“We’ve spent over $500,000 in scoping documents throughout Queensland … and that will provide us with the essential data to make further investments in mountain biking infrastructure.
“We know that as a sport it’s growing not only in the region but right around the world.”
Cairns Mountain Bike Club president Rachel White said the current 30km trail needed to be upgraded.
“We need our trails to be more inclusive and a little bit broader for the community,” Ms White said.
“The trail network that we have doesn’t quite cater to that. Because Smithfield is quite technical … it’s pretty steep. So you can’t just start there.”
Events on the Crankworx schedule will include Slopestyle, Downhill, Dual Slalom, Speed & Style, Pump Track, and Whip-Off. The Masters Mountain Bike World Championships will feature Cross Country and Downhill disciplines.
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