Recap: Crankworx 2024 Redbull Joyride

2024 marks the first year that women compete in the prestigious Red Bull Joyride. Kathi Kuypers was the first woman to drop in the iconic Joyride course to a crowd of roaring onlookers who managed to gather for the somewhat early morning event. The energy from the crowd was almost enough to wake me up without a coffee.

The 2024 Joyride was pushed up to 10 am from its usual afternoon slot due to high winds on the forecast, which is the absolute last thing you want when spinning around dozens of feet in the air. This rescheduling also fixed another issue the event has struggled with in the past: the low July sun blinding riders on the course. Overall the spectator turnout was impressive, the riding was mind-boggling, and the weather was perfect, all coming together to create a truly memorable edition of the event.

With the women's field kicking things off, we saw very few spills, with the majority of the women who dropped in making it across the finish line. The same could not be said for the men in round one, though, with many of them not even making it as far down as the surgeon's table feature that I was positioned under for the first round of the competition.

I have watched the Joyride broadcast for as long as I can remember, and it seems  cliche, but I'm going to say it anyway: the broadcast does not do this course or the caliber of the riding justice. Standing at the base of these features is humbling and entirely imposing; witnessing the talent these riders possess to huck themselves off these ramps confidently is something truly spectacular.

This Joyride was one of the most impressive sporting events I have ever attended and I cant wait to see how this event continues to evolve.

Women's Podium

1st Place - Alma Wiggberg

2nd Place - Natasha Miller

3rd Place - Shealen Reno

Men's Podium

1st Place - Dawid Godziek

2nd Place - Tim Bringer

3rd Place - Max Fredriksson