Sport
13 May, 2025
Launch pad for fresh talent
THE next generation of world champion mountain bikers could emerge from Tropical North Queensland as part of the legacy of Crankworx Cairns, according to the Cairns Mountain Bike Club.
Club president Rachael White said local interest in mountain biking had surged with the club’s numbers growing by about one-third since Crankworx landed in Cairns in 2022.
“The growth of the Cairns Mountain Bike Club means that we can contribute more volunteer hours at Crankworx and over the past three years our club has reinvested almost $54,000 earned through volunteering and course building back into improving the Smithfield trails network for the community,” she said.
“More families are getting involved and this increases the competitiveness, so we are seeing a greater number of kids competing at a higher level. This year we have a cohort of at least 10 juniors travelling to national and international level competitions for downhill including Crankworx and Thredbo Cannonball Festival.
“The sport is also gaining more female participants with mentors like our Cairns-born world champion Tracey Hannah inspiring the next generation of world champions here in our backyard.”
Crankworx Cairns 2024 U15 downhill champion Kara Elepfandt lives minutes away from the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park and at just 14 is already heavily involved in all aspects of mountain biking including working at a local bike shop and giving back to the younger girls as an assistant coach.
She started riding with her father Peter for fun when he bought her first mountain bike for her eighth birthday.
“I did my first enduro race at 10 and I just loved racing. I have three girls in my age group and two of us went to the state competition last year. I hope to compete at a national level this year,” she said.
“I have been a spectator at every Crankworx Cairns and did Kidsworx until I was old enough to compete in Crankworx last year. It is really cool for all the local kids to see world-class riders, especially the female riders. Tracey Hannah grew up in Cairns and she rode these trails and maybe I can be like her.”
Ms Hannah has helped Kara with skills training and says she respects the 14-year-old’s commitment to wanting to improve her riding.
“It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and the right people around you to become a professional, especially in mountain biking, so to have up and coming girls like Kara is special,” she said
“Being a mentor means a lot to me because I was lucky to have opportunities while I was growing up in the mountain biking community and I want to pass it forward. I would be honoured if I’m able to help Kara achieve her dreams.”
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said Crankworx wasn’t just a world-class event – it was a launchpad for local talent.
