Crankworx New Zealand 2026 Recap
Christchurch → Rotorua
Two stops in, and the pace is already set.
The 2026 Crankworx World Tour opened in New Zealand, with racing in Christchurch and Rotorua unfolding in quick succession. Wasting no time, the team got straight to work. Across disciplines, conditions, and courses, the crew stacked results and set the tone for the season ahead.
Christchurch: Setting the Foundation
Ryan Gilchrist came out of the gate leading the hunt for the 2026 King of Crankworx crown, chasing history as he looks to turn back-to-back titles into a three-peat.
Crankworx Christchurch — 195 points total:
- Pump Track: 1st
- Air DH: 4th (rode a flat to P4)
- Redemption DH: 5th (career-best)
From Hardline to Cannonball to a full week of racing in New Zealand, Gilchrist handled tough conditions and heavy tracks, delivering his first gold of the season while putting himself straight into contention.
“The first Crankworx of the year always comes with a pile of nerves and uncertainty… I’m proud of my performance and excited for the opportunity to deliver a DH run with soul and week-long focus. Onto Rotorua.”– Ryan Gilchrist
Behind him, Jonty Williamson also made an early impression, landing a spot on the podium in Junior Men Downhill and setting the stage for a strong showing on home soil.
The title defense was underway.
Rotorua: Building Momentum
From there, the tour rolled into Rotorua – the heart of Crankworx – and the team stepped it up across a packed five-day schedule.
Ryan Gilchrist stayed firmly in control of the overall, stacking another massive points haul as he continues his push toward a third consecutive King of Crankworx title.
Crankworx Rotorua — 531 points total and leading the King of Crankworx standings:
- Air DH: 1st
- Pump Track: 1st
- Dual Slalom: 1st
Three wins. Another statement week.
Richie Rude put together an impressive and consistent week across the board:
- Air DH: 2nd
- Downhill: 4th
- Dual Slalom: 4th
Competitive in every discipline he lined up for, Rude stayed firmly in contention all week, carrying speed and precision across both gravity and head-to-head formats.
Tilly Melton made a major impression in Rotorua in her first Crankworx appearance with the team:
- Air DH: 2nd (first-ever Elite Crankworx podium)
- Dual Slalom: 3rd
- Downhill: 4th
Across three disciplines, she showed composure, range, and the ability to deliver under pressure, marking a breakout performance and a strong debut at the Elite level.
Jonty Williamson continued to find form throughout the week, carrying momentum from Christchurch into Rotorua where he secured the NZ jersey after earning the title of Jr. Men’s National Downhill Champion. Racing on home soil, he gained ground across events and continued to establish himself in a stacked international field.
- NZ National Championships: 1st
- Downhill: 10th
Tyler Waite, returning from injury, put together a strong week back in competition:
- Air DH: 5th
- Downhill: 5th
Back up to speed quickly, Waite showed consistency and control across both events – an important step forward as he builds back to full strength.
Having been cleared to ride again just before the event after an off-season hand injury, JT Fisher kicked off the season getting back up to speed.
- Air DH: 8th
- Downhill: 24th
In Slopestyle, Rotorua local Robin Goomes delivered one of the standout performances of the week:
- Slopestyle: 2nd
A huge second run in front of a home crowd secured one of her standout results, highlighting her progression on one of the sport’s biggest stages. With three New Zealand riders competing on home soil and the entire team delivering across disciplines, the opening rounds of the Crankworx World Tour have set a strong foundation.
From early points in Christchurch to a dominant showing in Rotorua, momentum is building, and the fight for the King of Crankworx title is already taking shape.
