The countdown is on, and the world’s best mountain bikers are headed to the adventure capital of Australia – Cairns.
From the Australian lineup, eyes will be on Jayce Cunning, who will showcase his versatility across the Specialized Dual Slalom, Crankworx Cairns Pump Track Challenge, Speed & Style, and Official Australian Whip-Off Championships. Local Mick Hannah who won the 2023 RockShox Downhill at Crankworx Cairns is set to compete in the Specialized Dual Slalom, the RockShox Downhill, and Crankworx Cairns Pump Track Challenge, alongside his teammate Ryan Gilchrist, currently ranked second in the King of Crankworx standings and last year’s Dual Slalom victor, who will be a force to reckon with.
Fan-favourite Harriet Burbidge-Smith will be taking on the Specialized Dual Slalom and Speed & Style events, while Caroline Buchanan will be pushing her limits at the Crankworx Cairns Pump Track Challenge and Speed & Style. Both are also hot contenders for the Crankworx Cairns Slopestyle podium, having ranked second and third at the Maxxis Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza at Crankworx Rotorua earlier this year.
As preparations for the 2024 event continue, Crankworx invites riders and spectators alike to join in the excitement and celebration of mountain biking culture. Stay tuned for further updates and announcements as the countdown to Crankworx 2024 begins. It’s all going down from May 22 to 26 when Crankworx Cairns brings the heat to the tropics with world-class mountain biking, community events, concerts and a lot of “Party in Paradise”.
Behind the scenes, epic new designs are in the works for courses at Smithfield Mountain Bike Park. Building on a rich history of hosting World Championships and premier biking competitions, the new courses will take the Crankworx experience to new heights – for both riders and audiences alike. Smithfield’s iconic rainforest mountain bike trails have hosted multiple elite-level mountain bike competitions since the mid-90s. The heritage is undeniable, Event Director Nathan Bassett says that this year when designing the course, they are going deeper into the heritage of Smithfield Mountain Bike Park, while pushing the boundaries of innovation in course design. In response to the recent challenges posed by tropical cyclone Jasper, the Crankworx team has embarked on a journey of renewal and reinvention. While repairing damage across the park, the team saw an opportunity to reimagine certain areas, including the Slopestyle course and Whip-Off section.
The aftermath of cyclone Jasper presented us with an opportunity to rethink and refine our courses”
Nathan Basset
Festival passes are available at https://www.crankworx.com/cairns/passes/.
Athlete registration is available here: https://www.crankworx.com/athletes/locations/cairns/