Let’s shred: GMC Canada joins Crankworx Whistler mountain biking festival
2025-08-26
WHISTLER, British Columbia - Every summer, Canada’s densely forested Coast Range becomes the global epicenter of mountain biking, during Crankworx Whistler — a celebration of adventure, performance, and culture that is one of the sport’s largest events. This year, GMC joined the event as a sponsor.
Launched in 2004, Crankworx this year marked its 20th edition, with 10 days of competition in mid-August, drawing over 300,000 attendees around the world. Hosted by the Whistler-Blackcomb ski area, the races take place on the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, which has more than 120 trails.
The event featured multiple races down mountainous, rugged terrain:
Slopestyle: Red Bull Joyride, known as the “Super Bowl” of mountain biking, including jumps and other trick riding.
Downhill races: Including the RockShox Canadian Open Downhill on the resort’s formidable 1199 trail; the OG Canadian Open Downhill; and Garbanzo Downhill, a 3,400-foot descent.
Other events included Pump Track (a circuit of rollers and banked turns), Speed & Style (side-by-side racing with trick-based scoring), Whip-Off Championships (which includes huge jumps) and Best Trick (complex, scary looking stunt competition).
GMC Canada at Crankworx
Caption: The GMC-sponsored climbing wall at Crankworx Whistler
For the first time, GMC Canada this year joined as a sponsor, with a focus on demonstrating how GMC trucks are built for adventure on the road or trail.
The General Motors nameplate created a multi-layered presence at the festival, including:
EV Road Trip Experience: Select attendees drove the all-electric GMC Sierra EV Denali and GMC HUMMER EV from Vancouver to Whistler along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway, experiencing Super Cruise hands-free driving1 and capturing stunning mountain content.
Curated Bike Trail: Attendees loaded mountain bikes into GMC trucks, drove up rugged terrain, and tested hauling and off-road capability before riding down Whistler Mountain Bike Park.
GMC Rock Climbing Wall: A 20-foot climbing wall gave attendees a chance to take in mountain and slope views, with branded giveaways if successfully completed.
GMC-Powered Red Bull Bar: A Sierra EV powered the Red Bull Bar at Camp Joyride, keeping fans refreshed during the biggest competitions.
HUMMER EV Shuttles: GMC provided athletes and gear shuttles throughout the festival.
“Crankworx proves that whether electric or gas-powered, GMC trucks are built to keep up with the energy and adventure of the outdoors.” said Jamie Dewhurst, GMC Canada brand director
Caption: GMC was a sponsor for the first time this year at the Crankworx Whistler mountain biking festival.
Check out this Instagram post from Nathan Plamondon highlighting biking and the GMC HUMMER EV: GMC Canada x Nathan Plamondon
1Always pay attention while driving and when using Super Cruise. Do not use a hand-held device. Requires active Super Cruise plan or trial. Terms apply.
GMC was a sponsor for the first time this year at the Crankworx Whistler mountain biking festival.
WHISTLER, British Columbia - Every summer, Canada’s densely forested Coast Range becomes the global epicenter of mountain biking, during Crankworx Whistler — a celebration of adventure, performance, and culture that is one of the sport’s largest events. This year, GMC joined the event as a sponsor.
Launched in 2004, Crankworx this year marked its 20th edition, with 10 days of competition in mid-August, drawing over 300,000 attendees from around the world. Hosted at Whistler-Blackcomb resort, the races take place on the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.
The event featured multiple races down mountainous, rugged terrain:
- Slopestyle: Red Bull Joyride, known as the “Super Bowl” of mountain biking, including jumps and other trick riding, with judges awarding scores for the best overall run.
- Downhill races: Including the RockShox Canadian Open Downhill, on the resort’s formidable 1199 trail – with Group A finals unfortunately cancelled to ensure rider safety in challenging weather; the return of the “OG DCN OPN DN,” the OG Canadian Open Downhill; and Garbanzo Downhill, a 3,400-foot descent.
- Other events included Pump Track (a circuit of rollers and banked turns), Outdoor Research Trick Showdown & Bosch eMTB Challenge new this year (it’s all about creativity), Speed & Style (side-by-side racing with trick-based scoring), Official Whip-Off Championships (getting sideways on a huge jump) and Best Trick (jaw-dropping individual jumps.).
GMC Canada at Crankworx
The GMC-sponsored climbing wall at Crankworx Whistler
For the first time, GMC Canada this year joined as a sponsor, with a focus on demonstrating how GMC trucks are built for adventure on the road or trail.
The General Motors nameplate created a multi-layered presence at the festival, including:
- EV Road Trip Experience: Select attendees drove the all-electric GMC Sierra EV Denali and GMC HUMMER EV from Vancouver to Whistler along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway, available Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance capability1 and capturing stunning mountain content.
- Curated Bike Trail: Attendees loaded mountain bikes into GMC trucks, drove up rugged terrain, and tested hauling and off-road capability before riding down Whistler Mountain Bike Park.
- GMC Rock Climbing Wall: A 20-foot climbing wall gave attendees a chance to take in mountain and slope views, with branded giveaways if successfully completed.
- GMC-Powered Red Bull Bar: A Sierra EV powered the Red Bull Bar at Camp Joyride, keeping fans refreshed during the biggest competitions.
- HUMMER EV Shuttles: GMC provided athletes and gear shuttles throughout the festival.
“Crankworx proves that whether electric or gas-powered, GMC trucks are built to keep up with the energy and adventure of the outdoors.” said Jamie Dewhurst, GMC Canada brand director
Bikes being transported in a GMC pickup at Crankworx Whistler.
Check out this Instagram post from Nathan Plamondon highlighting biking and the GMC HUMMER EV: GMC Canada x Nathan Plamondon
1Always pay attention while driving and when using Super Cruise. Do not use a hand-held device. Requires active Super Cruise plan or trial. Terms apply.
