Riding high

The high adrenaline action of the Crankworx event brings many benefits to the Far North

The thrill of the ride is back in Cairns and ready to get rowdy in the coming days at Smithfield mountain bike park. More than a bike race Crankworx showcases Far North natural attractions of the reef and rainforest to an estimated 17.8m viewers globally, including on Redbull TV.

Cairns will join the ranks of top notch international tourist destinations as riders battle it out for more than $20,000 in prizes.

The 2023 Crankworx World Tour will be travelling to Rotorua, Cairns, Innsbruck, and Whistler.

Cairns is the second stop for the tour, bringing 1200 athletes, 220 volunteers and an expected 34,000 spectators to the Far North across five days from May 17 – 21.

Last year there was an anticipated 31,000 bed nights booked throughout the Cairns region and a partnership with Red Bull Media House means all five live finals will be broadcast globally to an audience of literally millions of sports fans.

Events including Speed and Style, RockShox Downhill, Dual Slalom, Slopestyle, the Crankworx Cairns Pump Track Challenge and the Official Australian Whip-Off Championships will ensure a visual feast for Cairns spectators.

All eyes will be on current Queen of Crankworx and Aussie star Caroline Buchanan and home town favourite Tracey Hannah.

Given the trickle-style arrival to the Far North of big spending travellers from China and Japan, the inclusion of Cairns on the Crankworx calendar cannot be understated.

Adrenaline rush action and high speed madness aside Crankworx has to be right up there in terms of a tourist spend with big events such as Ironman Cairns.

Crankworx Cairns is expected to bring an $8m boost to the local economy.

And the Far North is buzzing with excitement after day one of the event on Wednesday.

There will be 10 hours of live globally broadcast content across 30 countries but if it’s an in-yourface experience you’re after check out the Cairns Speed and Style event set to run at the Smithfield mountain bike park on Thursday followed by the Pump Track Challenge on Saturday and the RockShox Downhill to be held on Sunday.