Whistler's Kokanee Crankworx mountain bike festival wrapped up yesterday with the Canadian Open DH, bringing to an end a week of racing, dirt jump and après-bike action.
You can catch up with the earlier events in part 1 of our Crankworx round-up. Keep reading for all the action from the Open DH, Monster Energy Slopestyle and Giant Slalom.
Monster Energy Slopestyle: Zink takes second win
The slopestyle comp is the event that put Crankworx on the map, with riders having to trick their way down a course littered with huge jumps, drops and other obstacles. A record crowd of over 20,000 people watched this year's final, where 2006 winner Cam Zink (USA) enjoyed a major comeback.
Zink earned himself first place and $15,000 for a mind-blowing run that featured a huge frontflip off the VW Booter, floaty 360s and a big backflip off the Kokanee Booter. “This run was unreal," he said. "That was the first frontflip I've ever done in competition. It's been four years since I've had a big win. It's been a long time coming. It all paid off – all the hard work, all the injuries.”
Floaty 360s helped Cam Zink to first place in the Monster Energy Slopestyle comp
Mike Montgomery (USA) was flipping and spinning off everything he could get to in his Super Final run in an attempt to unseat Zink, but a crash landing from the Monster Energy Launch Pad put paid to his chances. His first run, which saw him throw down a huge tailwhip off the same feature, was good enough to put him in second place, though.
“I'm so glad all of my hard work has finally paid off,” he said. “I'm so excited. I'm healthy this year and I came to play. I nailed the first run and I got to do it in front of so many people. Stoked.”
Casey Groves (Can) put in solid runs throughout the competition and sealed third place with some stylish 360s and a tuck no-hander X-up. In his third run his chain broke but he launched off the Kokanee Booter regardless. “This is an amazing turn of events, I never expected any of this,” he said. “I didn't expect to go into the Super Finals in third and to maintain that placing is amazing.”
Casey Groves refused to let a broken chain stop him entertaining the crowds
Both Darren Berrecloth (Can) and Brandon Semenuk (Can) laid down incredible runs, tricking top to bottom, only to crash after airing off the Kokanee Booter. Sixth place rider Yannick Granieri (FRA) was unable to compete in the Super Finals after washing out in his second run, but the score from his first run held up to get him some prize money.
Head judge Paul Rak said: “Being away for two years and coming back and seeing the level that this sport has progressed to is incredible."
ArrayMen's podium: Mike Montgomery, Cam Zink and Casey Groves
For full results, visit www.crankworx.com. You can check out a video of all the action at the bottom of this page.
Canadian Open Downhill presented by Kona: Victories for Atherton, Ragot
Britain's Gee Atherton enjoyed his second victory at this year's Crankworx – after winning the dual slalom earlier in the week – in yesterday's Canadian Open DH, where he hammered down the notoriously technical and rocky course in 3:04.14.
Lewis Buchanan (Sco) narrowly held onto second place with a time of 3:09.16, while Justin Leov (NZl) took the next step of the podium with 3:09.20. “This was a real tough course to ride today,” said Atherton. “It's been a long season and I'm excited to go from here onto the World Championships in Mont-Saint-Anne.”
Gee Atherton stormed to first place in the Canadian Open DH
ArrayIn the women's race, reigning world champ Emmeline Ragot (Fra) blazed into first place with a time of 3:37.78 – more than seven seconds faster than her winning time in last year's race. Claire Buchar (Can) took second with 3:43.12 and up-and-coming racer Miranda Miller (Can) finished third with 3:46.85.
Emmeline Ragot showed once again how she earned those rainbow stripes
ArrayFor full results, visit www.crankworx.com.
Giant Slalom presented by Giant Bicycles: Prokop and Ragot victorious
The action was fast and furious in the Giant Slalom, with Michal Prokop (Cze) whipping into first place ahead of Danny Hart (GBr) in the Pro Men's race. In the small final, Mario Jarrin (Ecu) maintained his lead against Bernard Kerr (GBr).
Michal Prokop beat Danny Hart in the Big Final to secure the Giant Slalom win
France’s Emmeline Ragot stepped it up to take first place this year after finishing second in 2009, adding more hardware to her pile. Melissa Buhl (USA) came in second and in the small finals Steffi Marth (Ger) took third from Fionn Griffiths (GBr), who fell.
The Giant Slalom saw yet another win for France's Emmeline Ragot
Griffiths wasn’t the only racer to fall victim to the Giant Slalom’s huge doubles and berms, with crowd favourite Mitch Ropelato (USA) also failing to podium after washing out. For full results, visit www.crankworx.com.
Videos
Day 6 (Giant Slalom)
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Day 7 (Monster Energy Slopestyle)
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