The excitement had been building for the new Crankworx World Tour season after major changes had been announced to its 2023 downhill mountain bike format, with the promise of the best downhill mountain bike season yet. The Crankworx World Tour did not disappoint as it kicked off the season in style. The first round attracted some of the best downhill mountain bike riders to take on the RockShox Taniwha Downhill course, that included current downhill world champion, Loic Bruni.
The Rotorua Whakarewarewa Forest would give riders a true test of downhill mountain biking skills, with heavy rainfall in the days leading up to the event, resulting in deep ruts, super slick roots and plenty of mud to challenge the riders during practice.
