Ready to Ride: Crankworx Christchurch 2026

Christchurch heads to the Port Hills of Ōtautahi, New Zealand, and the countdown to five days of world-class racing, progression, and community-driven riding has officially begun.

As Crankworx returns to Ōtautahi, the city is set to host another stacked week of competition, culture, and connection; with some exciting new additions rolling in for 2026.

Ōtautahi Christchurch is set to make history as it levels up to host its second Crankworx festival - bigger and better - at Christchurch Adventure Park (CAP) from February 19-22. This milestone positions Christchurch alongside Rotorua, Whistler, and Mont-Sainte-Anne, cementing its place as a premier international hub for mountain biking.

From iconic gravity disciplines and a deep international rider field to the introduction of AirDH and expanded access for the local community, Christchurch is shaping up to stamp its mark on the World Tour calendar.

Across the week, Crankworx Christchurch delivers a full slate of gravity-fuelled competition, with action spread across the Redemption Downhill, Christchurch Pump Track Challenge, CAP Jump Jam and Ōtautahi Slopestyle. Expect high-speed Downhill intensity, technical battles, mind-blowing tricks and head-to-head pressure as riders push for points, podiums, and early-season momentum.

Whether you’re tracking a favourite rider or bouncing between the courses and the Expo to catch the best racing windows, Christchurch will offer non-stop on-bike action from training through to finals day.

(Full daily schedules and session times are available via the official Crankworx Christchurch schedule here.)

Riders to Watch in Christchurch

Building on the momentum of last year’s rider list, Crankworx Christchurch is set to deliver tight battles from the very first gate drop. Proven winners and international heavy hitters headline the field, including UCI Downhill World Champion Loïc Bruni and Polish Slopestyle standout David Godziek, alongside a strong Kiwi contingent ready to defend home soil. Riders will have the opportunity to earn valuable points towards the prestigious Crankworx Downhill Series and the coveted King & Queen of Crankworx titles by competing in the Christchurch Pump Track Challenge and Redemption Downhill, solidifying the festival’s significance on the Crankworx World Tour. Kicking off the inaugural season of the Slopestyle Super League, competition at the highest level of the sport, the Ōtautahi Slopestyle will see athletes we usually only get to see at Diamond Level events having to defend their turf against up-and-comers and local talent. Spectators can catch all the action live on-site at Christchurch Adventure Park or watch the broadcast live on TVNZ, the Crankworx YouTube channel or Pinkbike. 

Preliminary Rider Lists can be found here: https://www.crankworx.com/results/start-lists/

A number of riders will roll into Christchurch Adventure Park to kick off the opening round of the 2026 Crankworx Downhill Series. For some, it’s a clean slate, for others, it’s unfinished business. 

Once again, the Series is not about a single result but will reward athletes who show up, perform, and deliver across multiple Crankworx festivals. Sabina Košárková (CZE) who made her Crankworx debut in Christchurch last year, will start the season hungry to chase the top step of the podium after an incredible 2025 season climbing the ranks of Crankworx rapidly in her debut World Tour run. Jenna Hastings and Shania Rawson will return to test their skills and gather valuable points across the Downhill and Pump Track events, always bringing a heated rivalry and a spectacle to enjoy. This year they’ll be joined by fellow Kiwi, Eliana Hulsebosch fresh from an incredible swansong Junior season on the World Cup circuit – racing for the first time in Elite in 2026, competing against fellow DH specialists Erice van Leuven, Sacha Earnest and Bellah Birchall. There is no shortage of international talent either, Sian A’Hern (AUS), Louise Ferguson (GBR) and Kialani Hines (USA) will be ready to lay down a challenge to the Kiwi crew.  

Two-time King of Crankworx, Ryan Gilchrist (AUS) will return in 2026 to begin his third run at the royal title. Hot on his heels we’ll see Tegan Cruz (CAN) and Jackson Frew (AUS), aiming to knock him from a third consecutive reign right from the outset. The 2026 Redemption Downhill roster is stacked, with Kiwi heavy-hitters lining up to take on international stars on home turf. Lachie Stevens-McNab, Brook Macdonald, Tuhoto-Ariki Pene, Sam Blenkinsop and rising star Oli Clark, alongside many more , will go toe-to-toe with internationals Loïc Bruni (FRA), Finn Iles (CAN), Kye A’Hern (AUS), Richie Rude (USA) and Tegan Cruz (CAN) among many others, in a not-to-be missed battle for Downhill Series points that will kickstart their 2026 season. 

Returning in 2026 as New Zealand’s only Gold Slopestyle event, the Ōtautahi Slopestyle promises to deliver more unforgettable moments. Slopestyle legends Nicholi Rogatkin (USA) and David Godziek (POL) will make their Christchurch debut, chasing him will be heavy hitters from Europe like Erik Fedko and Lucas Huppert, as well as young North American talent like Kaidan Ingersoll (USA), and Canadians Chance Moore and Ben Thompson. The 2025 Red Bull Rookie of the Year and rising star Dane Folpp (AUS) is poised to be a standout this season as he goes head-to-head with elite Crankworx Slopestyle Super League (SSL) competitors. 

Reigning 2025 Women’s Slopestyle World Champion, Alma Wiggberg, will also make her Christchurch debut in 2026, alongside fellow European rider Patricia Druwen. They’ll be challenged by the North American contingent of Natasha Miller (CAN), Shealen Reno (USA) and Zoe Witwicki (USA). Adding to the excitement will be the return of Harriet Burbidge-Smith, her first official competition as she conquers an incredible recovery from a 2024 injury. Official Wildcards Angie Marino (USA) and Morgan Antone – a young, up-and-coming Kiwi, will join their first Slopestyle competition and be ready to showcase impressive skills and undeniable potential. 

AirDH: Built for Speed, Flow, and Commitment

One of the biggest additions to the Christchurch program this year is the well-known and well-loved AirDH, a staple of the Crankworx World Tour known for its fast, flowy Downhill format that puts airtime and intensity front and centre. Askins Trail at Christchurch Adventure Park will host this brand-new race, and while this event attracts some of the top names in Downhill and Enduro, it’s designed to get the Christchurch bike community out and into the international Crankworx racing scene. 

The shorter course combined with unrelenting speeds leaves no room for mistakes, rewarding riders who can blend precision, confidence in the air, and raw speed under pressure. With both men and women lining up for this new format, AirDH is set to deliver instant highlights and quickly establish itself as one of the most spectator-friendly events of the week.