Crankworx Rotorua Hints At Thrilling Slopestyle Season

The first of the three most prestigious slopestyle MTB competitions kicked off last weekend at the Maxxis Slopestyle event at Crankworx Rotorua last weekend.

With many of the sport’s biggest stars sidelined by injury, it was a major opportunity for hungry young riders looking to prove themselves.

But instead of a changing of the guard, Rotorua showed us something even better – a full-blown style battle that could shape the future of slopestyle. 

What You Should Know

Thanks to the sketchy weather forecast, event organizers threw in a last-minute curveball with an improvised eliminator format.

Instead of the usual two-run format, riders had to send it under pressure, as their first run determined if they’d qualify for finals.

8 of 15 male riders could do a second run and 5 of 8 of the female starters. The twist? Lower-ranked riders got eliminated early, making every attempt do-or-die.

This format forced all-out aggression, leaving no room for conservative play. Riders had to throw down their biggest tricks straight away, knowing a second run wasn’t confirmed. Some thrived under the pressure, while others saw their shot at the podium slip away with a single mistake. Bringer, Ingersoll, and Thompson handled the chaos very well, proving they could stay ice-cold even when the format turned savage.

Fans were disappointed that popular studs like Nicholi Rogatkin, Tom Isted and others crashed out in the first run and could not get up to the starting tower again.

Tim Bringer Dropped the Hammer

At the end of the day, a rider without a bike sponsor secured a major win. The French Tim “Hulk” Bringer walked away with the gold, throwing down one of the heaviest runs we’ve ever seen in Rotorua. The committed shredder focused on sheer amplitude and banger tricks, landing moves that had the crowd and judges going wild.

His winning run included:
- 360 Double Tailwhip to Bar Spin
- Double Backflip Tuck No Hander
- Double Backflip Step-Down
- Cashroll X-Up

American Kaidan Ingersoll was breathing down Bringer’s neck however. His tricks were clean, precise, and stylish–keeping combos fresh and rotations tight. With a final score of 90.87 he wasn’t far off.

Final Men’s Results

1. Tim Bringer – 93.25
2. Kaidan Ingersoll – 90.87
3. Ben Thompson – 82.92
4. Paul Couderc – 82.06
5. Chance Moore – 81.25

Patricia Druwen Dominates

The women’s slopestyle scene is on fire, and Patricia Druwen just made it even better. Her run had the perfect balance of big tricks and clean execution, finally fullfilling the prophecy about her rise to the top of women’s Crankworx slopestyle.

Her winning run included:
- Various Barspins
- Backflip Nohander
- Double Barspin Opposite
- Smooth Suicide No-Hander

With an 87.75, the german rider was untouchable. The women’s slopestyle game has officially entered a new era and the other women are so motivated to keep up with Patricia.

Final Women’s Results

1. Patricia Druwen – 87.75
2. Natasha Miller – 80.50
3. Robin Goomes – 75.25

What’s Next? The Return of the Big Guns

Rotorua gave us a taste of the future, but the real battle is still to come. Why? Because three of the sport’s biggest legends – Emil Johansson, David Godziek, and Erik Fedko – weren’t even in the mix.

Once they return, everything changes.

• Emil Johansson is the king of technical slopestyle, and if anyone can match Ingersoll’s style and push it even further, it’s him.

• David Godziek brings a unique mix of BMX-style tech and huge air tricks, his triple crown win in 2024 showed that he is now the one to hunt.

• Erik Fedko? The dude is all about style and flow, and if he gets back in top form, he’s a serious podium threat, because he’s practiced many new tricks.

Will the young guns keep up the pressure?