BMX crossover has proven a major game-changer on the Crankworx scene this year, with X-Games mega champion Ryan Nyquist’s successful chameleon-like move to Slopestyle athlete, and Maxxis rider and BMX Olympian Caroline Buchanan giving Kintner a serious run for her money on the pump track, and in the overall Queen of Crankworx standings.
And this time, Buchanan brought along one heck of a wildcard when she invited the man who won Thursday’s event to become the new Ultimate Pump Track Champion presented by RockShox champion along from BMX UCI World Champs.
Buchanan has certainly proven the wrench in the works for Kintner, as well. After total season domination last year, Buchanan has been breathing down the American champion’s neck at every turn in 2017, particularly on the pump track.
In fact, the pair were so close at the conclusion of the Crankworx Innsbruck event, one heat appeared a dead tie, until it could be split to the thousandth of a second. And if Kintner had won Thursday’s event, the series results would have placed the pair as each having won two rounds for a tied season.
Though it was far more to her competitor’s advantage, Maxxis rider Buchanan advocated to use the day’s event as the defining victory.
“So many other sports, like motocross, BMX, whoever wins, it goes on the count on the day. And, you know, I like to put a bit of pressure on myself,” she explained.
An equally fierce competitor, Kintner was clearly stung by the loss when it came. Though each woman won a heat, Buchanan was fast enough off the line in the first round of the final that Kintner just couldn’t make up the time differential, and she was shaking her head on the sidelines, after signing autographs.