Words: Crankworx
Prep for Crankworx Innsbruck is in full swing with just two weeks to go until the pros return to the capital of the Alps. Updates are underway on the well-known THULE Slopestyle Innsbruck course and an entirely new track is almost ready for the Pump Track Challenge Innsbruck presented by Raiffeisen Club course. Running back-to-back on Crankworx Innsbruck’s “Super Saturday,” here’s what you can expect on course.
THULE SLOPESTYLE INNSBRUCK
When: Saturday, June 24; 12:30 pm
Tickets: https://www.crankworx.com/innsbruck/passes/
Watch Online: https://www.redbull.com/ca-en/live/crankworx-world-tour-2023-innsbruck-slopestyle
With a new start drop, that’s higher and larger, riders are able to do more tricks right from the start. One who will be keen to make the most of the changes is Swede, Emil Johansson, who if he wins at Crankworx Innsbruck will bring the Triple Crown of Slopestyle award to Europe for the first time. Not only will Johansson be celebrating winning the triple crown, but he will also become the most “winningest” Crankworx Slopestyle athlete in history, a record he is currently tied for with Brandon Semenuk.
CRANKWORX INNSBRUCK PUMP TRACK CHALLENGE PRESENTED BY RAFFEISEN CLUB
When: Saturday, June 24; 6:30 pm
Tickets: https://www.crankworx.com/innsbruck/passes/
Watch Online: https://www.redbull.com/ca-en/live/crankworx-world-tour-2023-innsbruck-pump-track
This year will see a brand-new pump track here in Innsbruck. With the pump track having a reputation as one of the most corner heavy tracks on the circuit in years past, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top on this new track. Designed and built by Innsbruck’s Erdbau Matzke Crew, we will see a shorter but even faster track as the riders tackle just 4 berms with three doubles in between, and a jump on the last straightaway into the finish. Last year we saw Niels Bensink and Kialani Hines take the win for the Pro Men and Women respectively, and both riders are confirmed to return to Crankworx Innsbruck 2023! Here is what Niels Bensink had to say about the upcoming event:
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I’m super keen to be heading back to Innsbruck. It is my favourite stop on the Crankworx World Tour and it always gives me a special feeling when we get closer to it. With some course changes and good results there in previous years I’m excited to tackle another big week on the bike in one of the most beautiful places on earth. It will be my first time doing all the events in Innsbruck, so let’s see what we can do this year!
The Innsbruck pump track was definitely due for a change so I am excited to ride something new and to see what the builders have come up with. What I’ve seen so far is that the track will be less complicated, and speeds are going to be a lot higher which will make for even tighter racing. The old one looked slow on the eyes, so this one will be more exciting to watch for the crowd which is good. I was a big fan of the technicality of the previous design too and had some success on it, so it’s definitely a little bit sad to see one of the only real pump track with lots of tight corners on the tour go. T Hopefully the corners that are left will still separate riders that have good cornering skills, because cornering is for sure a big part of pump track, and I’d like to see more of it.” |
Festival passes for Crankworx Innsbruck are still on sale – get yours to get amongst the action this year! It’s sure to be a crowd pleaser.
See full schedule for Crankworx Innsbruck here: https://www.crankworx.com/innsbruck/schedule/
Catch all the action live on Pinkbike and crankworx.com.
Innsbruck