Crankworx Rotoura - Ruan Gilchrist
racing

'25 Crankworx Rotorua

An unforgettable week for the Yeti Cycles crew at Crankworx Rotorua! We kicked things off with a full podium sweep in AirDH—Ryan Gilchrist, Richie Rude, and Tyler Wiate taking 1-2-3—while Camille Balanche secured 3rd in the women’s race. The momentum continued in DH, with Waite claimed the Junior win and finishing third fastest overall despite taking the B-Lines required of the JR Category. Teammate Jonty Williamson put down top-10 run with a 7th place finish. Balanche earned her second podium of the week with a strong second place, and teammates Rude and Gilchrist claimed fourth and fifth respectively. 

Rude decided to try his hand at dual slalom and landed a podium. When in Rome, right? Gilchrist claimed victory, Rude in 3rd, and Waite made it to the round of eight. Williamson took the Junior win. 

Robin Goomes had an incredible showing, finishing on the box and securing third in women’s slopestyle. And for the cherry on top, Goomes bagged the inaugural “Rotorua Roulette best trick”, voted on by judges and viewers. 

With these results, Gilchrist extends his King of Crankworx lead as we set our sights on Cairns! Let’s keep it rolling! 

Keep scolling to see all the weeks action.

P: Boris Beyer 

CRANKWORX ROTOURA AIR DH
Camille, Ryan, Richie, Tyler, Jonty
Richie ended up in the timing tent just beyond the finish line. But made sure everyone was alright.
King of Crankworx, UCI Champion, and E-EDR Champ and will always make time for the kids.
Crankworx Air DH Podium, The team grabbing 4 of the 6 podium spots. Hell of a start to the week.
OFFICIAL NEW ZEALAND WHIP-OFF CHAMPIONSHIPS
Tyler and Jonty
Jonty Williamson, Just oozing style.
Crankworx Rotorua Pump Track Challenge
Ryan, Tyler
UCI World Champion stripes and the king of Crankworx plate. Big flex.
Tyler showing just how well rounded he is. From DH to Pumptrack to Whip off. He was busy all week coming home with some big results.
Teammates meeting before the finals is never ideal. Gilchrist and Tyler battling it out.
A mistake from Gilchrist in the final corner lead to a bit of a moment. Luckily he walked away with just some dirt on the jersey and a few scrapes on his custom special projects DJ.
ROCKSHOX Kārearea Downhill
Camille, Ryan, Richie, Tyler, Jonty
Camille Balanche joined the Yeti / Fox Factory Team this year. Former wold cup overall champion with numerous years experience of racing at the highest level. Cant wait to see what she can make happen on the Special Projects DH this season.
Gilchrist aboard the Special Projects DH bike. Grabbing every point possible in his hunt to keep the King of Crankworx title.
Richie on the Special Projects DH bike is what the people want. The good news is you will see him at World Cup DH races all season long.
Maxxis Slopestyle in memory of McGazza
Robin Goomes
Robin Goomes took home gold in this event last year and was hungry to back up that result. When all was said and done she rounded out the podium in 3rd. From piloting her SB165 in the Utah desert to her Special Projects DJ on the crankworx slopestyle course. Robin is unstoppable.
Specialized Dual Slalom Rotorua
Ryan, Richie, Tyler, Jonty
Just because its a race doesn't mean you cant look good doing it. Jonty taking the top step on the U19 podium.
Ryan and Richie putting on a show in the semi's.
Cant stop the big dawg from racing. Richie decided last minute to have the team manager pick up a plate to race dual slalom. Good choice since he ended up coming home with a 3rd place finish.
A gold metal to end the week. Nice work Gilly.

With that 2025 Crankworx Rotoura comes to an end. The Yeti Team came and concurred. Taking home multiple podiums across a mariad of events. Nice work Team. Next Crankworx stop, Carins.