Decades in the Making

“Brett Rheeder’s front flip off the start drop at Crankworx in 2019 was sure impressive but also a lead up to a first-ever windshield wiper in competition,” said photographer Paris Gore. “Although Emil [Johansson] took the win, Brett was on a roll of a year and took the overall FMB World Championship win. I just remember at the time some of these tricks were still so new to competition—it was mind-blowing to witness.” Photo: Paris Gore | 2019

Decades in the Making Photographers Reflect on 20 Years of Crankworx

The spectacle of a Crankworx event is unlike anything else in mountain biking.

For casual tourists who happen to find themselves wandering through the Whistler Village in the midst of the mayhem, Crankworx serves as a first, albeit slightly warped, introduction to the sport. For amateur riders, it’s a chance to watch the world’s best push themselves to never-before-seen speeds and heights. And, for said pros, the events act as a stage that can either propel careers into entirely new stratospheres or, in the event of a disappointing result, be motivation for even more training and hard work.

In recognition of Crankworx’ 20-year anniversary in 2025, we asked some of mountain biking’s most notable professional photographers to comb their archives in search of moments that felt especially notable to them. The resulting blend of images creates a gallery that sheds light on the Crankworx spirit—equal parts debauchery, fun, and pure, unbridled athleticism.

— Ian Terry, Editor In Chief

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