Christchurch Adventure Park, Canterbury is set to take on mountain biking excellence
CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND November 28, 2023
The highly anticipated Crankworx Summer Series is set to make a triumphant return to New Zealand in 2024, promising a world class event in the brand-new location of Christchurch Adventure Park from March 1st-3rd.
This announcement marks a significant milestone for both Crankworx fans and riders of Summer Series, as it returns for the third year to New Zealand after two establishing years in the Southern Lakes Region and a successful series in Canada. The series is set to take on a fresh and exciting dimension with two internationally broadcasted events, Pump Track and Downhill. Christchurch Adventure Park General Manager Anne Newman says: “Crankworx is such a fun and iconic event on the riding calendar. We can’t wait to showcase the Park to the international riders and test their skills and talent here in Christchurch. This world-class event will not only inspire the younger generation but provide an unforgettable experience for riders and spectators alike.”
The build of a brand-new Downhill track has commenced and will offer local and international riders the opportunity to race a Category 1, UCI sanctioned event. Not only will valuable UCI points be available for local emerging talent who aspire to qualify to compete on the UCI World Cup circuit, but overall King and Queen of Crankworx points will also be attached to the races, escalating the importance of the Summer Series NZ for Crankworx World Tour competitors.
The 2024 partnership with the city’s sustainable economic development agency ChristchurchNZ marks a new beginning for the Crankworx Summer Series in the South Island, Aotearoa, with ChristchurchNZ confirmed for 2024 and NZ Major Events committed to supporting the Summer Series events through to 2027.
Karena Finnie, Head of Major Events at ChristchurchNZ, commented “We are looking forward to Crankworx Summer Series coming to Ōtautahi Christchurch, we can’t wait for both residents and visitors to join us for a special weekend of balance and play at Christchurch Adventure Park. The exceptional quality of the competition coupled with Christchurch being a world-class mountain bike destination makes this an event you don’t want to miss”.
As part of Crankworx’s commitment to leaving a legacy in Ōtautahi Christchurch, the commission of a permanent head-to-head Pump Track and world cup level Downhill track, in collaboration with ChristchurchNZ, reflects the dedicated commitment to the mountain bike community in Canterbury. These professional standard amenities will not only provide a platform for local talent to flourish but also attract international athletes and spectators for years to come.
Crankworx Summer Series New Zealand, now a firmly established mountain bike event, will draw athletes and fans from around New Zealand and beyond, building up to the 10th anniversary of Crankworx Rotorua. With the exciting move to Ōtautahi Christchurch, the event promises to captivate a broader audience, showcasing the rich sporting depth attractive for international athletes, and scenic wonders of New Zealand.
Event Director Ariki Tibble says, “With a world-class venue in the Christchurch Adventure Park, direct flights between Ōtautahi Christchurch and Rotorua, and all of the incredible tourism and hospitality opportunities across both locations, we believe we have the recipe for an escalated Crankworx experience for New Zealanders in 2024.”
For more information, visit the official Summer Series New Zealand website at https://www.crankworx.com/festival/crankworx-summer-series-new-zealand/
Anyone keen to follow the action from Crankworx Summer Series NZ should follow along with @crankworxrotorua @crankworsummerseries on Instagram for updates and results as they come.
Key Information
- Event Dates: March 1st – 3rd 2024
- Athlete registration opens 6th December 2023 at 10:00am NZDT.
- Crankworx World Tour points up for grabs across Pump Track & Downhill
- Category 1 UCI Points are up for grabs in the Christchurch Downhill.
- Brand new Downhill course is being built specifically for the Summer Series.
- One weekend featuring Downhill, Pump Track, a Jump Jam and two live broadcasts!
- Elite/Pro, Open and CWNEXT categories will be available to compete in both events.
- Unofficial, official Jump Jam will be held at CAP, Friday, 1 March – further details on registration to come!
- Tickets will be available for purchase leading up to Christmas; stay tuned for additional details.
