- Crankworx Cairns begins Wednesday 17 May, known as ‘The Paradise Edition’ of the Crankworx World Tour.
- The event runs from 17 – 21 May 2023 on the Smithfield trails.
- The Crankworx World Tour is a multi-stop series of mountain bike festivals, bringing together the best mountain bike athletes to compete in elite-level competitions in a variety of disciplines, the largest event of its kind in mountain biking.
- Crankworx Cairns is expected to bring a $8 million boost to the local economy.
The Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region is buzzing with excitement to welcome the Crankworx Cairns event which kicks off next Wednesday 17 May.
Competitors from around the world are making their way to Cairns to compete in the event which is known as ‘The Paradise Edition’ on the Crankworx World Tour.
The Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, is proud to support this event as a feature on our It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.
It is the second year Cairns has hosted the event, after it launched there in 2022.
There will be 10 hours of live globally broadcast content across 30 countries through the Red Bull Media House broadcast which could reach 17.8 million people.
Member for Cairns and Assistant Tourism Minister Cairns Michael Healy:
“Cairns is the perfect host for this event.
“What a spectacular backdrop for competitors to ride right alongside the edge of the Great Barrier Reef and through the Wet Tropics and I know competitors and spectators go home from this event, with incredible memories.
“It’s a win for our local businesses too with hotels and restaurants filling up, transport services busy and our tourism operators taking visitors out to explore this beautiful region.
“I can’t wait to see the event kick-off and the whole region buzzing.”
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe:
“This is one of Tropical North Queensland’s biggest events and for a second year running the community and businesses of Cairns are keen to welcome competitors and fans back for the event.
“We are expecting to get around 5,000 visitors to the region who’ll stay more than 34,000 visitor nights. That’s a boost of $8 million to the local economy.
“I Know many of them will take the opportunity to get out and explore the many wonders of the region and immerse themselves in the incredible visitor experiences while they’re here.”
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning:
“Last year’s inaugural event was an incredible success, and we are expecting a similar response this year. Hosting the world’s most watched mountain bike event, provides incredible exposure for Tropical North Queensland.
“The Crankworx World Tour has a global audience of millions and during the five days of competition in Cairns, more than 550 competitors will showcase their skills and over 9,000 spectators are expected to watch the action trackside.
“The Smithfield trails are truly unique in the way they wind and twist their way through the rainforest, over and through streams and gullies, and along ridges that showcase views of the Great Barrier Reef. We know that thousands of people from around the country and the world are heading to Cairns for this year’s event”.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen:
“Spectators watched the athletes snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, bungy jumping in the world’s oldest rainforest and catching up in bars and breweries after a day on an iconic mountain biking course and will be keen to do the same when Crankworx returns this month,” he said.
“Tropical North Queensland’s tourism industry is looking forward to the return of Crankworx Cairns to help boost visitation in the shoulder season.”
Crankworx Cairns Event Director Callum Ray:
“The course build project is the real hero of the Crankworx Cairns event. The trail builders draw inspiration from the uniqueness of the Cairns landscape and surrounding environment. The overall goal is to get more people frothing over the trails and getting out there riding, as well as setting a benchmark for Australian mountain biking.
“We would like to acknowledge and thank Building Better Regions Fund from the Federal Government along with our strategic partners for their collaboration on this course build project including Tourism and Events Queensland, Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Cairns Regional Council and Cairns Airport.
“We are looking forward to welcoming the world’s best athletes to the region over the next few days to ride this world class course whilst showcasing the Wet Tropics Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef to mountain biking fans around the world on Red Bull TV.
“Thanks to support from the Queensland Government, we’re also excited to extend our Community Program aimed at getting people excited to get on their bikes and experience these trails for themselves. This year our programs will include Kidsworx, visits to local schools, Indigenous Youth Program, Women in Cycling and adaptable ride programs”
