August 8, 2005 – Crankworx wrapped today with intense downhill action as Brain Lopes of the USA took first in the Pro Men’s category of the Garbanzo Enduro Downhill with blistering speed and a time of 14:31.67 on a course spanning 1300 vertical feet. Legendary Marla Streb, also of the USA, took first in the Pro Women’s with a time of 16.03.12.

“I had a good run with smooth flow through the trees but I didn’t expect to win,” says Lopes. This was the second first place finish for Lopes after taking the title for the Nissan Biker X on Friday.

Last year’s winner Cedric Gracia of France blew out his front tire in the first turn and manual’ed his way down the course. He finished last but launched the GLC Drop with style like the true competitor he is. “I built some new skills today,” says Gracia.

The Garbanzo Enduro Downhill course launches racers into the Whistler Mountain Bike Park’s newest run Freight Train before spitting them into the trees with tight, technical single track. “It is an awesome course all around,” says Tyler Morland, Whistler local and fifth place finisher with a time of 14:36.36.

USA’s Cameron McCaul took first place in the inaugural KONA Jump Jam, prompting judges to proclaim him the future of freeriding after this win as well as a fourth place ranking in the Pro Invitational Slopestyle yesterday.

“At the Jump Jam we were all riding for fun and feeding off each other,” says McCaul. “I am stoked about the Jump Farm too. Riding the Magic Carpet lift to get up is great and after you’re done there you can ride to the bottom on A-Line.”

With perfect weather, the industry’s biggest pros, and arguably the best mountain bike park in the world as it’s stage, Crankworx was an unequivocal success. “With the playground of Whistler as its backdrop, Crankworx is a festival that brings the mountain biking community together for good times, serious events and an amazing atmosphere. Through this whole event I have heard athletes consistently describing Crankworx as the best freeride event in the world,” says Eric Fremont, Crankworx Event Manager.

The Whistler Blackcomb Mountain Bike Park posted its busiest day ever on Saturday, August 6, and thousands of spectators bore witness to the incredible talents of Crankworx’s athletes.

“It’s my first time here and it has been so good to discover Whistler,” says Marla Streb US National DH Champion. “This mountain is so well-designed. Other resorts should be coming up here to take a lot of pictures because this is how things should be done.”

Crankworx showcases Whistler as the ultimate downhill biking playground by combining gargantuan stunt sessions and mind-blowing speed events with the world’s best mountain bikers competing for cash and prizing totaling over $30,000. The event line-up also includes fun races for all ages, live music acts, patio parties and roving street entertainment. Next year Crankworx will take place August 2-6, 2006.

Garbanzo Enduro Downhill Timed Results

Pro Men
1. 9 LOPES Brian USA San Clemente CA 14:31.67
2. 3 PEAT Steve GBR Sheffield 14:32.50
3. 2 RENNIE Nathan AUS Bend OR 14:33.15
4. 7 KOVARIK Chris AUS Goldcoast QLD 14:35.66
5. 10 MORLAND Tyler CAN Whistler BC 14:36.36

Pro Women
1. 104 STREB Marla USA Los Osos CA 16:03.12
2. 109 GRIFFITHS Fionn GBR Shrewsbury 16:40.19
3. 110 MYLAK Lisa USA Boulder CO 17:25.47
4. 114 BUCHAR Claire Whistler BC 17:25.58
5. 13 MCIVOR Ashley CAN Whistler BC 17:51.95

Master Men
1. 180 MEIER Phil 16:05.72
2. 135 COWERN T.J. USA Moab Utah 16:17.40
3. 157 MEARS Kyle USA Moab UT 16:27.76
4. 160 DAVID Jerome CAN Whistler BC 16:32.44
5. 153 MCNEIL James USA Huntington Beach Ca 16:33.26

Master Women
1. 149 RUMPF Christiane GER Kassel 19:31.03
2. 148 DREWSEN Bodil CAN Whistler BC 22:10.34
3. 150 TURTURRO Francesca USA Yonkers NY 26:20.74

Junior Men
1. 272 TOLAND Josh USA Santa Cruz CA 15:31.32
2. 302 WILSON Shawn USA Santa Cruz CA 15:44.05
3. 275 SALISBURY Kyle USA Bellingham WA 16:37.88
4. 345 ALLISON Tyler CAN Whistler BC 16:40.64
5. 385 DENT Nick CAN North Vancouver BC 16:46.33

Junior Women
1. 142 GATTO Micayla CAN West Vancouver BC 17:52.35
2. 141 MILLER Miranda CAN Garibaldi Highlands BC 20:05.87

Amateur Men
1. 246 WEST Mark James GBR Worcester 15:55.38
2. 91 ASTLEY Martin GBR Bristol 16:01.21
3. 95 HEY Tom GBR York 16:07.65
4. 247 REAGH Adrian CAN Kelowna BC 16:10.51
5. 227 ERIKSEN Erik USA Santa Cruz CA 16:23.08

Amateur Women
1. 126 PAQUETTE Fanny CAN Whistler BC 18:57.71

KONA Jump Jam Rankings
1 Cameron McCaul Aptos, CA
2 Ben Boyko Vancouver, BC
3 Trond Hanson Norway
4 John Jesme Cota de Caza, CA
5 Nate Adams Boulder, CO