Crankworx Rotorua Slopestyle Finals - Dirt

Mountain Biking Magazine

Share

Photos

Crankworx Rotorua Slopestyle Finals

Getting upside down down under

Credit: Laurence Crossman-Emms

THE FINALS THAT ALMOST NEVER WERE

After a tumultuous few days spent battling the worst that the New Zealand climate has to offer conditions looked bleak. Mercifully, on the morning of finals the rain relented, the sun reared its head and practice could begin.

Anthony Messere keeping things neat and tidy

Crankworx breeds progression and Rotorua was no different. The course had been updated for the first time since the inaugural event in 2015 and the riders were clearly enjoying it, even if conditions were inclement to say the best.

Despite the weather the updated course at Rotorua held true and ran smooth
Rheeder making it look effortless on his way down
A picture perfect 360 bars at the top of the course set the tone for Rheeder's day

Rheeder was looking like a man on a mission. He stomped his first run, culminating in a typically Rheeder-ish 720 bar-spin and scoring a 94.25 in the process. Enough to leave him sitting comfortably in first place.

Rheeder going huge off the flat drop

Riders came and went, unable to surpass the gauntlet that Rheeder had thrown down.

Diego Caverzasi came close. The Italian threw down a stacked run and ended with a Twister, a trick that even he seemed surprised to land. Caverzasi’s run earned him a 90.5 from the judges, enough to finish third on the day and officially mark himself as one to watch.

Caverzasi stomping a twister and 3rd place on the day

Thomas Genon was next to try and unseat Rheeder. Genon produced a sublime run, technical and precise, enough for second place but not enough to take down the main man.

Genon put together a technical run good enough for 2nd on the day

That left one man. Cue another chapter in the inevitable Rogatkin v Rheeder Crankworx showdown.

Rogatkin only knows one way to ride, all out. Knowing the score he needed to win, Rogatkin set about on a typically manic run, looking in contention until going down hard on a 1440.

Rogatkin was pushing hard in the top section of the course
Slopestyle is a game of margins. Rogatkin put it all on the line but got chewed up on a 1440
Beaten, but not broken

That left Rheeder the victor on the day. One run, one win. Quite the statement to start the season and the first step on the way to the elusive triple crown

Your 2018 Rotorua podium

“I’ve worked toward this all winter. It’s been my goal. I’m on top of the world”

Rheeder takes the win in New Zealand and a step towards the elusive triple-crown

With three more rounds to go then, Rheeder may have won the battle but the war continues. On to France

The big man's legacy lives on

Topics:

Latest

Featured in this post

Related Articles

News

Malverns Classic returns for 2018

We can't wait!

Malverns Classic returns for 2018
Fresh Produce

Komoot - the new route planning app

Your next ride, sorted

Komoot - the new route planning app
Videos

The Rooted Team take on Windrock

Holding up a beacon for the Privateer

The Rooted Team take on Windrock
Downhill

Trackside carnage from Rotorua

Getting loose at the Larches

Trackside carnage from Rotorua
Trail and Enduro Bikes

Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt BC Edition

B is for burly

Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt BC Edition
Newsletter Terms & Conditions

Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy.

Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions.

production