International mountain biking festival Crankworx has announced the addition of a summer series in New Zealand which organisers say will bring “massive benefit” to its destinations, including Wānaka.

Crankworx will bring international and local riders to explore the varied terrain of Central Otago, Queenstown and Wānaka.

International calibre racing will visit here outside the usual Crankworx world tour, giving locals the chance to mix, mingle and ‘drop in’ with some of the world’s best mountain bikers.

Crankworx Rotorua event director Ariki Tibble said Crankworx has played a key role in raising the profile of Rotorua as a destination over the past six years. 

“We know how powerful this has been for the region, and this is the first opportunity we’ve had to unlock some of these benefits for other regions in our country. The mountain biking in Central Otago, Queenstown and Wānaka region is out of this world, not to mention its world-renowned scenery and epic summers,” Ariki said.

The Crankworx Summer Series will showcase what this region has to offer for all levels of biking enthusiasts. PHOTO: CWX Rotorua

“We can’t wait to bring a grassroots version of our Crankworx Festival to the south.”

Southern Lakes events investment panel chair Murray Strong said the panel was proud to have been able to support the Crankworx Summer Series to take place in four locations throughout the region. 

“The region’s biking facilities have had significant investment put into them and the Crankworx Summer Series will be a fantastic way to showcase what the region truly has to offer for all levels of biking enthusiasts,” he said.

The series will run from November 27 to December 12. Locations include Cardrona Alpine Resort; Bike Glendhu, Wānaka; Matangi Station Mountain Bike Park, Alexandra; and Skyline Queenstown.

The air downhill will take place at Cardrona, and the dual slalom at Bike Glendhu will be live broadcast on crankworx.com.

All-stars on deck for the series include Georgia Astle (CAN), Danielle Beecroft (AUS), Casey Brown (CAN), Harriet Burbidge-Smith (AUS), Robin Goomes (NZL), Kialani Hines (USA), Bas van Steenbergen (CAN), Vaea Verbeeck (CAN), and Keegan Wright (NZL). More riders will be added to the roster in the coming weeks.  

“I’m super stoked to be heading to these unique riding destinations,” Rotorua professional mountain biker Keegan Wright said. “With each spot having totally different terrain to the other it’s gonna make for awesome racing. I’m looking forward to getting to share these times with all of the Crankworx family.”

There will be race categories for professionals, amateurs and CWNEXT racers. Details of registration will be released soon via @crankworxrotorua on Instagram or Facebook.

Find more information on the Crankworx Summer Series here.