- Cairns confirmed for the 2024 Crankworx World Tour ‘Paradise Edition).
- Crankworx is the most-watched mountain bike event on the planet.
- 31,000 visitors predicted to be in Cairns for the 2024 Crankworx World Tour, delivering up to $7 million for the economy.
The world’s highest profile mountain biking event is returning to Cairns and Tropical North Queensland over five-days in May 2024.
Crankworx’ 2024 World Tour itinerary was announced today in Vancouver, Canada.
The world’s best mountain bike athletes will compete in Cairns across several disciplines.
Crankworx is predicted to attract 8,000 visitors, generating 31,000 visitor nights in Cairns, up 12,000 on the 2023 event, and invest up to $7 million in Tropical North Queensland’s visitor economy.
The ‘Paradise Edition’ of the Crankworx World Tour in May 2024 will be the third time the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park has hosted the event.
Crankworx Cairns is secured by the Palaszczuk Government in partnership with AusCycling, Cairns Regional Council, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland.
Member for Cairns and Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy said:
“It’s wonderful to see the Paradise Edition of the Crankworx World Tour returning to the Smithfield trail in Cairns and growing year on year.
“As the only place on Earth where it’s possible to ride a mountain bike between the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics, Crankworx Cairns is on every competitor and spectator bucket list.
“Crankworx in Cairns is a winning combination for competitors and support crew, spectators and our visitor economy.
“The global profile of Crankworx Paradise Edition is huge with content broadcast around the world, putting the Tropical North in the saddle as an international mountain bike destination.”
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said:
“Events like the Crankworx World Tour bring visitors keen to explore the Tropical North’s great adventure lifestyle while supporting tourism operators, accommodation providers and restaurants.
“The Palaszczuk Government is backing Crankworx for its $7 million contribution to the Cairns visitor economy and potential to encourage more Tropical North Queenslanders to stay active and healthy.
“Centred on the stunning, action-packed mountain bike trail at Smithfield, Crankworx is shaping up as one of the biggest world-class competition and spectator events in Cairns for 2024.”
Cairns Mayor Terry James said:
“I look forward to welcoming back Crankworx Cairns in 2024 following two successful years and applaud them for their unwavering commitment to community engagement.
“These events not only leave an incredible impact by inspiring our youth but also contribute to placing Cairns prominently on the global map as a premier mountain biking destination.
“Whether individuals aspire to build a career in the sport or simply embrace a more active lifestyle as a result of Crankworx, the outcome is a community that is both more active and healthier.”
Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen said:
“The global publicity of Crankworx helped to promote the region in key international source markets to an audience that enjoys venturing further into the destinations they visit.
“Large audiences across North America, the United Kingdom, Europe and New Zealand tune in to watch Crankworx and see the exciting and diverse experiences in Tropical North Queensland’s two World Heritage areas.
“This event has been assisted through the Federal Government’s $15 million International Tourism Recovery Program funding and will help the region to secure a slice of the $100 million a year in cycling revenue that we are missing.”
AusCycling CEO, Marne Fechner said:
“We’re very pleased that Crankworx is returning to Australia, particularly as the UCI Masters Mountain Bike Word Championships will also be held in Cairns next year.
“We’re also excited that Crankworx will be featuring a Women’s Slopestyle competition which aligns with our commitment to ensure that riding and cycling is a whole-of-community activity.
“I’d like to thank Tourism and Events Queensland, Cairns Regional Council, Tourism Tropical North Queensland for their on-going support of this, and many other cycling and riding events, in Queensland.”
