Crankworx Innsbruck: Godziek Secures Thrilling Slopestyle Victory

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Dawid Godziek made it two wins in a row as he claimed victory in Sunday’s slopestyle event at Crankworx Innsbruck, while Sweden’s Emil Johansson was pushed down into third by French rider Timothé Bringer.

With plenty of rain falling on Innsbruck in the last few weeks, the world’s best freeride mountain bike riders were greeted by damp conditions. Fortunately, the weather started to improve and by the time the slopestyle competition began on Sunday there was bright sunshine.

Dawid Godziek

In the men’s event, Johansson was seeking revenge after narrowly losing out to Godziek in Carins and was desperate to win his 13th Crankwork slopestyle title. The Swede delivered a brilliantly technical first run that scored a huge 95.25 as he moved into the lead at the halfway stage.

Once the second runs got underway it was Godziek who moved into the lead courtesy of a ride that was full of precision and amplitude. The Pole secured a huge score of 96.75 thanks to

Erik Fedko

France’s Bringer then delighted the crowd as he went full send to earn a score of 95.62 to move into second place, while Germany’s Erik Fedko delivered a classy run to move into fourth place with a 94.12.

Johansson was the last man out of the gate but after a difficult landing early in his run decided to coast through the rest of the course, meaning Godziek could celebrate a second consecutive Crankworx victory and will have the chance to complete the Triple Crown next time out in Whistler.

Godziek, 29, said: “After the crash in the first run I was under a bit less pressure. I just wanted to make it to the bottom but the judges liked my run so I am super stoked. I am focused now on doing my best performance in Whistler and I will see what that brings.”

Emil Johansson

In the women’s event, Robin Goomes set the standard during the opening round of runs as she secured an impressive score of 94.5. Despite the best efforts of her competitors, no one came close to bettering the mark of the Kiwi rider who also triumphed earlier this year in Rotorua.

Sweden’s Alma Wiggberg, who won last time out in Cairns, secured second with a score of 89.75, while US rider Shaelen Reno grabbed third place courtesy of an 86.5.

Robin Goomes

Earlier in the week, Jordy Scott and Bernd Winkler emerged victorious in the Speed & Style event, while Ryan Gilchrist and Martha Gill triumphed in the Dual Slalom. Then on Sunday, Tuhoto-Ariki Pene and Jordy Scott triumphed in the Pump Track Challenge.

Heading into Crankworx Whistler on July 19-28, Australian Ryan Gilchrist has a significant lead in the King of Crankworx standings, while Briton Martha Gill is just 28 points ahead of American Jordy Scott when it comes to the Queen of Crankworx title.