AusLeisure

Crankworx - the world’s highest profile mountain biking event - is returning to Cairns for five days in May 2024 having been secured by the Queensland Government in partnership with AusCycling, Cairns Regional Council, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland.

The event will see the world’s best mountain bike athletes competing in Cairns across several disciplines.

Crankworx is predicted to attract 8,000 visitors, generating 31,000 visitor nights in Cairns, up 12,000 on the 2023 event, and invest up to $7 million in Tropical North Queensland’s visitor economy.

The ‘Paradise Edition’ of the Crankworx World Tour in May 2024 will be the third time the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park has hosted the event.

AusCycling Chief Executive, Marne Fechner enthused “we’re very pleased that Crankworx is returning to Australia, particularly as the UCI Masters Mountain Bike Word Championships will also be held in Cairns next year.

“We’re also excited that Crankworx will be featuring a Women’s Slopestyle competition which aligns with our commitment to ensure that riding and cycling is a whole-of-community activity.”  

Local State Member for Cairns and Queensland Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy shared “It’s wonderful to see the Paradise Edition of the Crankworx World Tour returning to the Smithfield trail in Cairns and growing year on year.

“As the only place on Earth where it’s possible to ride a mountain bike between the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics, Crankworx Cairns is on every competitor and spectator bucket list.

“Crankworx in Cairns is a winning combination for competitors and support crew, spectators and our visitor economy.

“The global profile of Crankworx Paradise Edition is huge with content broadcast around the world, putting the Tropical North in the saddle as an international mountain bike destination.”

Cairns Mayor Terry James added “I look forward to welcoming back Crankworx Cairns in 2024 following two successful years and applaud them for their unwavering commitment to community engagement.

“These events not only leave an incredible impact by inspiring our youth but also contribute to placing Cairns prominently on the global map as a premier mountain biking destination.

“Whether individuals aspire to build a career in the sport or simply embrace a more active lifestyle as a result of Crankworx, the outcome is a community that is both more active and healthier.”

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Mark Olsen noted “the global publicity of Crankworx helped to promote the region in key international source markets to an audience that enjoys venturing further into the destinations they visit.

“Large audiences across North America, the United Kingdom, Europe and New Zealand tune in to watch Crankworx and see the exciting and diverse experiences in Tropical North Queensland’s two World Heritage areas.

“This event has been assisted through the Federal Government’s $15 million International Tourism Recovery Program funding and will help the region to secure a slice of the $100 million a year in cycling revenue that we are missing.”

Image credit Crankworx.

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