On a sunny Alpine evening in Les Deux Alpes, France, the European Whip-off Champs took place in front of a healthy-sized crowd at Crankworx Europe event last night.

Having been on a tour of the Alps – from Lenzerheide World Cup to Annecy dust fest to Saas Grund epic trail riding, the #dirtsummerroadtrip screeched into town typically in the nick of time to witness some ridiculous sideways styles being laid down. Now a firm favourite fixture of the Crankworx events, the whip-off is best described as ludicrously steezy. It’s a relaxed event set on one big jump, with riders sessioning and throwing their best whips until things are whittled down to a final select group.

By the end of proceedings yesterday, the bunch left on the hill included the crème-de-la-crème of the whip, with Bernardo Cruz getting particularly wild as well as Finn Iles throwing down. The girls were also on the case, with Anneke Beerten, Casey Brown and Emilie Siegenthaler throwing shapes. The crowd was mad for it and the riders all looked pretty serious about winning this thing as time drew in. It’s always a great spectacle and what a way to open our time at Crankworx Les Deux Alpes.

By the time the judged event was a wrap, results looked like this:

Men’s

1: Bernardo Cruz
2: Finn Iles
3: David McMillan

Women’s

1: Casey Brown
2: Emilie Siegenthaler
3: Anneke Beerten