Crankworx is a very unique event, in many ways. It combines all facets of mountain biking but unlike a lot of other races the vibe is so much more relaxed. In some ways it is a break for the riders from high pressure World Cup racing but with the World Championships less than a month away it is valuable training.
The track for the race is over seven kilometres long and sends riders on some of the best parts of the bike park. Due to the length of the course fitness is key and it is not uncommon to see huge gaps between the top positions.
In fact, this is one race where you can crash and still have a reasonable chance to take the win! This year Canadian Stevie Smith took the win by just over five seconds from Marcelo Gutierrez Villegas, with Aussie Chris Kovarik in third fifteen seconds behind Smith.
Connor Fearon put in a hard slog for fifteenth place, we had a quick chat with Connor and this is what he had to say a�?The garbanzo race wasna��t one I was particularly looking forward to, ita��s a tad longer than the tracks at home which finish in under 2 minutes. I paced myself for a lot of it but it seemed useless because I was wrecked by about the 2 minute mark. By the end my back hurt my arms and legs were jelly and it felt like my brains were boiling in my helmet. I still managed to finish 15th which Ia��m happy about!a�? Team mate Mitch Delfs in 37th and Aussies littered the results, as Whistler or a�?Whis-traliaa�� is overflowing with Australians at this time of year.
1. Steve Smith 12:33.27
2. Marcelo Gutierrez Villegas 12:38.75 + 5.48
3. Chris Kovarik 12:48.67 + 15.40
4. Justin Leov 12:55.99 + 22.72
5. Mark Wallace 12:58.42 + 25.15
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15. Connor Fearon 13.20.65 + 47.38
37. Mitch Delfs 13.54.05 + 1.20.78
The week of racing continues, Troy Brosnan will hopefully feature in these results soon, as he heads over to get some training in before World Championships.