AMERICAN PEDAL-HEADS CRANK UP THE ACTION AT MOUNTAIN BIKING FEST
THE action is underway at the biggest mountain biking festival with the completion of two major events at Crankworx Cairns.
The Australian Whip-Off Championships kicked off Crankworx Cairns, with Americans Garret Mechem and Jordy Scott claiming the honours.
Aussies Thomas Locke and Harriet Burbidge-Smith took out second with David McMillan hot on their heels for third.
“That was the coolest experience I’ve ever had in my life – the chainsaws going off, all the sounds, that was incredible,” Locke said.
“I’m so glad Crankworx World Tour has landed in Cairns. Everyone threw down and it was such a sick afternoon.”
It was Mechem’s first Crankworx win.
“This is awesome,” said Mechem. “I missed Whistler and took some time off to recover, and this is the best kind of start to the trip. I’m so stoked.”
The American has been recovering from injury since he took a spill at the Whip Offs in Innsbruck in June.
Travelling to Cairns and getting warmed up to get back into competition, he said he’s been loving his time in Australia.
It was a solid end to a solid day for both Mechem and the women’s winner, Jordy Scott.
Both riders qualified first in Speed and Style before going on to win the whip.
In addition to her P1 in Speed & Style, and win in the Whip-Off, Scott is also in the lead for the season-long battle for the Queen of Crankworx title.
“I’m just trying to make sure I’m riding for myself,” Scott said.
“As long as I feel like I’m riding good and putting good runs together I’m going to be happy.
“My goal for this year was top three overall, so sitting in first is amazing..”
The Speed and Style finals were held yesterday evening.
It is the first time Crankworx has brought a stage of its world tour to Cairns, which is already locked in to return in 2023.