Crankworx Innsbruck was the first round of the Crankworx World Tour for 2022 and Australia’s best riders took to the track in multiple disciplines in sensational style. Mick & Tracey Hannah both stamped their feet on the Downhill podium, whilst Caroline Buchanan and Mike Ross showed their talent in the Dual Speed & Style. Here’s how our Aussies went at the first stop…..
By Mike Branch | Photography Clint Trahan
It’s the most picturesque stop on the Crankworx tour and the perfect place to start the Crankworx year. Set amongst the alps, Innsbruck is home to a heaving mountain bike culture and was on full tilt for the first Crankworx of the year. Australians in all disciplines made the pilgrimage to Austria and stamped our nation on the podium a number of times.
The Aussies landed on the podium 6 times in the Pro categories, twice in the U19 category and twice in the U17 category across the 4 day event. The Juniors Carter Sloan, Remy Meier-Smith and Mario Baldwin had stand out performances in Dual slalom and Downhill, flying the Aussie flag high and taking some medals home in the process.
Mick Hannah and Tracey Hannah again showed their speed in the Dueter Downhill with Tracey taking 2nd place and Mick holding 3rd place. Mike Ross had a break out event with a bronze place in the Dual Speed and Style against the World’s best, whilst Caroline Buchanan took silver in pump track and bronze in Dual Speed and Style. Harriet Burbidge-Smith took the first medal for the event with a bronze medal in the Whip-off, showing us why the Women’s free rider is donning the Red Bull helmet.
The success of our Aussie riders at the first stop shines a bright light on the first Crankworx to be held in Australia on 5-9 October, with the future of our sport alive and well down under. We look forward to seeing Australia’s best and brightest take the wins in Cairns and there’s little doubt some new stars will be born.