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
As the evening light fades, Brandon Semenuk throws a tailwhip down the step-down gap at Crankworx Whistler in 2008. Semenuk finished in 3rd place, though the event would set the stage for many of his future victories at Crankworx Slopestyle events (top).
Photo: Sterling Lorence | 2008
Cédric Gracia bombs down the course during Crankworx Whistler in 2005. “I remember arriving at the base of the mountain and thinking, ‘Richie was right,’” said photographer Paul Morrison. “Ten years earlier, Richie Schley shared his thinking of how ski towns like ours would one day host mountain bikers using the existing ski lifts in much the same way as they did in the winter months. Even in its earliest years, Crankworx showed how the world was ready for something new,” (right).
Photo: Paul Morrison | 2005
On Whistler’s Canadian Open DH course, wild debauchery used to be a staple of the event as Heckler’s Rock filled with fans hurling insults and other quips at racers or anyone who dared defy the “shirts off on the rock” rule. “People on the chairlift are also consistently heckled as they pass over the motley scene of fans that is arguably more entertaining than the race itself,” said photographer Blake Jorgenson.
Photo: Blake Jorgenson | 2012
Originally started by photographer Sven Martin as an unsanctioned event in 2012, the annual “Whip-Off Worlds” has enjoyed a role in every Crankworx held since. “Some people just love to get naked at Crankworx,” said photographer Colin Meagher. “From streakers at Joyride to helicopters trackside to sheer balls out bravado as seen during 2013’s whip-off event.”
Photo: Colin Meagher | 2013
Canadian downhill racer Finn Iles burst onto the scene as a kid who was almost barred from entering the 2014 Whip-Off event because he wasn’t old enough. A growing chorus of #letfinnin support led to his acceptance, which he backed up by taking a defiant win.
Photo: Sean St. Denis | 2014
In 2017, Crankworx revived the infamous “pond gap” from the 2006 World Championship course. “I got the drone up to shoot a ridgeline shot above,” said photographer Sven Martin. “Looking through the monitor I couldn’t really tell which rider was approaching or what exactly was happening—I saw a splash and fired some frames. Then I looked up and saw that I had captured none other than Loïc Bruni. This was his first race of the 2017 season and it didn’t go well, he made up for it though by winning his last race of the season, the most important one—the World Championship in Cairns.”
Photo: Sven Martin | 2017
A dino-clad racer, Mikey Haderer, competes in the Whistler Air DH event in 2018—a race notorious for party trains, shenanigans, and costumes. “I’ve shot a fair amount of bike events, and the Crankworx festival has always felt more like a family reunion and celebration of all things mountain biking than a giant competition,” said photographer Katie Lozancich. “It’s a space where World Cup legends and inflatable dinosaurs share the same track and party at the end of the day.”
Photo: Katie Lozancich | 2018
For some photographers, the best part about Crankworx events is how it brings big names out and makes setting up multiple photo shoots in one location easy. During a goggles shoot for 100%, multiple time world downhill champion Loïc Bruni made swift work of a left-hander in Rotorua. “We only had about an hour and managed to lock this one in on the first location,” said Fraser Britton.
Photo: Fraser Britton | 2019
“This was not only my first Crankworx, but my first time in Whistler. To be around this caliber of athlete was like being in a candy store,” said photographer Riley Seebeck. “Conor Macfarlane was part of the FSA team I was covering at the event and all we did was play around and hit jumps or alpine trails. Really a dream project that allowed the athletes and myself to really explore and have fun with what we were producing.”
Photo: Riley Seebeck | 2019
David Godziek hits Brandon Semenuk’s feature, the Sphere, during the Joyride competition at Crankworx Whistler. “I loved that feature,” said photographer Robin O’Neill. “It is so creative and the people selected it from Brandon’s film work. I love how the athletes express themselves.”
Photo: Robin O’Neill | 2022
