Much like at the Crankworx World Tour opener in Christchurch, Tegan Cruz started off Crankworx Rotorua on the podium. The Pemberton, B.C. racer joined Richie Rude and reigning King of Crankworx, Ryan Gilchrist on the box for the high-speed version of downhill pioneered by the Crankworx series.
On the women’s side, Czechia’s Sabina Košárková led a pair of U.S. riders to win the women’s Air DH, kicking off the 12th edition of Crankworx Rotorua with a global feel.
Tegan Cruz podiums in Rotorua
Pemberton, B.C.’s started Crankworx Rotorua with a third place in the AirDH. The Ari Factory Team racer just edged out both iconic Kiwi rider Sam Blenkinsop and Tyler Waite, who finished fourth and fifth. While Cruz held off the locals, there was no stopping Yeti-Fox Factory Racing’s duo of Ryan Gilchrist and enduro world champ Richie Rude.
Gilchrist takes the win, adding to his points total for his King of Crankworx defence. Rude takes second, just 0.028 seconds ahead of the Canadian. Cruz, in third, adds crucial points in his quest to dethrone Gilchrist in the year-long series.
Mikey Delesalle (Gwin Racing) in sixth, Jake Polito (Outlaw Racing) in 10th and Tristan Lemire (Dragonfly,Fox) in 15th added more strong Canadian results in Rotorua.
Košárková claims a win
On the women’s side, Sabina Košárková cruised through Skyline Rotorua’s Mr. Black trail to take an Air DH win. The Czech rider was chased by two U.S.A. racers. Matilda Melton, another Yeti-Fox rider and first year elite building momentum on the World Cup circuit, takes second just 0.6 seconds ahead of Anna Newkirk (Frameworks Racing 5Dev).
Martha Gill and Kate Hastings round out the extended women’s podium. Emmy Lan (Forbidden), returning from injury, finished 14th as the only Canadian in the field.
Crankworx Rotorua runs until March 15, 2026. After pump track racing on Friday, Saturday kicks the event into high gear with the Specialized
Results (Top-5): 2026 Crankworx Rotorua Air DH
Top 5 – Women
1. Sabina KOŠÁRKOVÁ (CZE) – 2:03.574
2. Matilda MELTON (USA) – 2:05.116
3. Anna NEWKIRK (USA) – 2:05.751
4. Martha GILL (GBR) – 2:07.717
5. Kate HASTINGS (NZL) – 2:07.745
Top 5 – Men:
1. Ryan GILCHRIST (AUS) – 1:51.237
2. Richie…
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