2009 World Cup Round One - DH Finals!
Source: Just Reid Racing and MTB Cut Productions
It is the evening of the 1st round of the World Cup series here in South Africa and the dust is finally setting on the 4km track in Greg’s hometown of Pietermaritzburg.
This was an odd track for the 1st round but it was to provide some really exciting moments with various results for the competitors. Everyone was unveiling their new kit and bikes so there was a lot of hustle and bustle around the pit lane for the 1st few days. With some brand new teams emerging and a lot of riders moving teams, it was going to be difficult to predict how the top 5 elite men would pan out on Sunday afternoon.
Pics and video inside!In the hometown of Morewood bicycles, Rennie and Delfs were surely going to feel slightly more at home than the rest of the Australians, and their results showed that this local knowledge had clearly paid off. It was a surprise to see Frenchman Cedric Gracia after his announcement that he will not attend a full World Cup series. Cedric reckons he will attend all of the races in Europe but will not be making it over to Canada for the rounds in Bromont and Mt St Anne, nor will he be at the forefront of the party in Whistler this summer.
![photo]()
Other news came in the form of Americas Duncan Riffle who this year set up his own team, taking on fellow American Bradley Benedict. These two were in South Africa for the national round a week before but this extra time paid off with Duncan qualifying well up the pack.
The womens race was pretty much dominated by Tracey Mosely on her new trek session 88, winning the race by a pretty noticeable margin. Her team mate and local boy Andrew Neethling qualified in 10th place but his race run seemed to disappoint him greatly, with his brother Jonty already across the finish after qualifying in the middle of the pack.
![photo]()
After looking so fast in practice, Slovakian Philip Polc also seemed unhappy with his race run. Riding the new Evil revolt all 3 red bull team mates looked absolutely on fire all week, with Matti puncturing on his race run and Canadian Steve smith putting in the best result for the new team.
![photo]()
The track required a lot of strong pedaling at high speeds so there were a few riders who found themselves struggling a bit to match the power of the likes of Steve Greg and Gee. Josh Bryceland and Brendan Fairclough, 2 riders that can on more technical tracks put in top 10 times, found themselves a bit off the pace on this 4 minute long track.
1st: Greg Minnar 3.43.44
2nd: Mic Hannah +0.02.25
3rd: Steve Peat +0.05.81
4th: Sam Hill +0.06.74
5th: Gee Atherton +0.08.57
Gee “Safety Pencil” Atherton qualified in 5th place and was consistent in the final but just couldn’t seem to match the pace of 1st place qualifier Mic Hannah, and final winner Greg. Kiwi Cameron Cole surprised himself and sat in the hot seat for a long time, and it took Sam Hill to knock him off after a great run from the Australian. Steve then managed to knock Sam off the hot seat before his team mate and local favourite among the fans, Greg Minnaar put 3 second in Peats time.
![photo]()
Thanks to Just Reid Racing for the race report, stay tuned for the video from MTBcut.tv!
It is the evening of the 1st round of the World Cup series here in South Africa and the dust is finally setting on the 4km track in Greg’s hometown of Pietermaritzburg.
This was an odd track for the 1st round but it was to provide some really exciting moments with various results for the competitors. Everyone was unveiling their new kit and bikes so there was a lot of hustle and bustle around the pit lane for the 1st few days. With some brand new teams emerging and a lot of riders moving teams, it was going to be difficult to predict how the top 5 elite men would pan out on Sunday afternoon.
Pics and video inside!In the hometown of Morewood bicycles, Rennie and Delfs were surely going to feel slightly more at home than the rest of the Australians, and their results showed that this local knowledge had clearly paid off. It was a surprise to see Frenchman Cedric Gracia after his announcement that he will not attend a full World Cup series. Cedric reckons he will attend all of the races in Europe but will not be making it over to Canada for the rounds in Bromont and Mt St Anne, nor will he be at the forefront of the party in Whistler this summer.
Other news came in the form of Americas Duncan Riffle who this year set up his own team, taking on fellow American Bradley Benedict. These two were in South Africa for the national round a week before but this extra time paid off with Duncan qualifying well up the pack.
The womens race was pretty much dominated by Tracey Mosely on her new trek session 88, winning the race by a pretty noticeable margin. Her team mate and local boy Andrew Neethling qualified in 10th place but his race run seemed to disappoint him greatly, with his brother Jonty already across the finish after qualifying in the middle of the pack.
Doing up an interview
After looking so fast in practice, Slovakian Philip Polc also seemed unhappy with his race run. Riding the new Evil revolt all 3 red bull team mates looked absolutely on fire all week, with Matti puncturing on his race run and Canadian Steve smith putting in the best result for the new team.
The track required a lot of strong pedaling at high speeds so there were a few riders who found themselves struggling a bit to match the power of the likes of Steve Greg and Gee. Josh Bryceland and Brendan Fairclough, 2 riders that can on more technical tracks put in top 10 times, found themselves a bit off the pace on this 4 minute long track.
1st: Greg Minnar 3.43.44
2nd: Mic Hannah +0.02.25
3rd: Steve Peat +0.05.81
4th: Sam Hill +0.06.74
5th: Gee Atherton +0.08.57
Gee “Safety Pencil” Atherton qualified in 5th place and was consistent in the final but just couldn’t seem to match the pace of 1st place qualifier Mic Hannah, and final winner Greg. Kiwi Cameron Cole surprised himself and sat in the hot seat for a long time, and it took Sam Hill to knock him off after a great run from the Australian. Steve then managed to knock Sam off the hot seat before his team mate and local favourite among the fans, Greg Minnaar put 3 second in Peats time.
Thanks to Just Reid Racing for the race report, stay tuned for the video from MTBcut.tv!
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Cameron Cole really pinned today
I think Cole was only 1st by a second despite Blenky's crash?
But congrats to Minaar he killed it too
Regarding men I am all for Peaty. The most fingers crossed for him in next World Championship!!!!
This time however I regret that sick Mick did not win. He is such nice person and great rider. I really liked him on Cannondale Judge winning in Vigo in 2006. Now after one year of rest mentally and phisically his is pinning again
That is racing - Greg is the king today
Your name tells that you have polish roots. Al the best for you man!!
What guys think about Hill and his new bike? I like it...
I vote for Eurosport 2. They showed all on TV almost live (30 minutes later). Get cable man
any of you guys know the name of the song in the vid?
the track was 2.8 kilometers
Lucky you missed the idiotic max cluer and his ego on the microphone at the finish...he thought he was at a rugby game and the other moron announcing with him could not even pronounce "animal". Kept calling Duncan Riffle "Duncan Rifle". When Ruaridh Cunningham came down the track they went all quiet. Might have blown their minds to try read out his name.
anyway congrats to him!!
That was a strong effort by Sam. He'll be just fine on his Demo 8.
I'd say more, but I just read CoreX's comment below. That pretty much says it...
You really gotta hand it to Peaty IMO. He's 4 years older than the next oldest pro at that race and got 3rd. I'll really be rooting for him at worlds this year. He's got to get it!