The Ultiamte Pumptrack Challenge took place Thursday night on day 7 of the Whistler Crankworx festivities. The ultimate showcase of bike handling skills saw dirt jumpers, downhillers, enduro racers and more all ride and race together. Riders were paired up and took two heats, whomever had the lower collective time difference took the win and moved up in the knockout style formate.
With Mitch Ropelato and Jill Kintner both going for their fourth consecutive win, stakes were higher than ever. Anything could happen and surprises and upsets were had.
On the mens side, a race between Ropelato and Martin Soderstrom ended in an upset as Ropelato lost his footing and nearly ended up off course in the first heat. The second heat Ropelato took the win but couldn’t make up lost time from the last run putting Soderstrom through to the next round and ending Ropelato’s win streak.
Soderstrom went on to battle it out with Adrien Loron in the final round. But the tall slopestyle rider didn’t have enough to beat out the winner of the Crankworx Les Deux Alpes pumptrack challenge winner. Loron took the win putting a new winner on the podium.
On the ladies side, Jill Kintner, an Olympic Medalist in BMX and one of the world’s top downhill racers took her four-peat win despite a bobble out of the gate. Fighting off a field of many very talented women cyclists from all disciplines.
Results:
Women
1.           Jill Kintner – $1,300
2.           Caroline Buchanan – $800
3.           Katy Curd – $600
Men
1.           Adrien Loron – $2,500
2.           Martin Soderstrom – $1,500
3.           Mitch Ropelato – $1,000
Off to the races. Whistler Village came out to enjoy the event.                        Chris Pilling PhotoTwo racers rolling through the course.                                            Chris Pilling PhotoDanny Hart didn’t have enough for the win but rolled a nice run.                       Chris Piling PhotoTwo riders split midway through the course.                                        Chris Pilling PhotoGetting banked.                                                                 Chris Pilling PhotoRopelato in an earlier heat.                                                      Chris Pilling Photo                                                                              Chris Pilling PhotoAdrien Loron manuel over the roll.                                                Chris Pilling PhotoLoron taking home the win.                                                      Chris Pilling PhotoMartin with a playful frown over the loss to Loron.                                   Chris Pilling PhotoCongratulating the winner.                                                       Chris Pilling PhotoMens podium: Soderstrom second, Loron first, Ropelato third.                        Chris Pilling PhotoWomens podium: Caroline Buchanan second, Jill Kintner first, Katy Curd third.
Cycle
That looks fun.
Sick. Crankworx has everthing