Ropelato, Kitner, Smith and Atherton bag wins on first weekend of CrankWorx

July 18th, 2011 3:03pm

Dual Slalom

Day One of The 2011 edition of the Kokanee Crankworx mountain bike festival kicked off under overcast skies. Beginning with the Dual Slalom race on Saturday. And it was no surprise to us here at Bicycle World to see Mitch Ropelato move up to the top step of the podium after last years sliver medal result. Ropelato is in his first full season as a pro racing for the Steve Peat Jr. Syndicate Team and has wasted no time getting solid results. Winning this years dual slalom show down by beating Brian Lopes (semis) and Mick Hannah (final) only confirmed that he has all the speed and ability to go far.

“I am stoked to one up what I did last year,” says Mitch Ropelato, winner of Kokanee Crankworx Pro Men Dual Slalom. “I rode smooth and fast. My qualifiers weren’t that good but I held it together in the finals. Now I have to go rest up for the Canadian Open DH tomorrow.”

The win by Ropelato wasn't a huge surprise as Ropelato also won the Slalom race at years US Open (see US Open story) While everyone is going gaga over another wonder kid Troy Brosnan, Mitch Ropelato is equally as talented and definitely one to watch develop now that he has some team support.

Jill Kinter won the women's dual slalom over last years winner Micayla Gato.

Canadian Open Down Hill

Flip flopping the events this year to accommodate other events in the downhill calendar, the crowds were treated to the Canadian Open DH competition -an event usually reserved for the last day of the festival. And to the delight of the crown, Canadian Steve Smith was able to capture his first win for Devinci bikes as the only rider able to get to the magic 3 minute mark on the technical course. Giants Andrew Neethling took second place while Troy Brosnan ( Monster - specialized) stepped up for his first pro podium in third. Smith didn't have to wait long to see if his time would hold up as there were only three riders left after him including, Gee Atherton who went over the bars on his run effectively ending his chance for a repeat.

1) Steve Smith

2) Andrew Neethling

3) Troy Brosnan

In the Pro Women category Rachel Atherton (GBR) took first with 3:34.45; Whistler local Claire Buchar (CAD) came in second with 3:38.75; and Squamish resident Miranda Miller (CAD) got third with 3:38.75.

The next event on the Kokanee Crankworx calendar is the Garbonzo Downhill on Tuesday. A thirteen minute downhill run that really tests the riders endurance and fitness as they drop from the very top of the Whistler Resort to the bottom.