Last year I walked down this bare hillside and imagined what the track could be like... There were some really cool features up there, so we knew it could be great, but starting from nothing it was really tough to plan and get the track to work out properly. Obviously because so much went into it I was pretty nervous before, especially as a lot of people said it was too bike-parky, but you ask the riders that raced it what they thought - it's a proper downhill track and it turned out grand. All in all it's been a mint weekend on a new venue and everything worked out proper! Now it's in the history books and I'm super happy; everyone had fun, everyone had a smile on their face and some Santa Cruz guy took the win - what could be better?! I am gutted not to race on it myself, but there's next year! Time for beer! - Steve Peat |
Hard weekend! I was excited for a new track but I couldn't get into it. I had a few words with Peaty, I was like - 'How much of this did you build?' and he said 'all of it'! It's a difficult track and the dry conditions make it even harder for everyone I guess. I didn't think I could win because Ragot was going so fast and I didn't want to crash so I held back a bit out of the gate, not wanting to blow-up and wash out of the turns. I saw out of the lift that the holes were coming out and it was pretty messed up so I did my best to race steady and smooth. Stoked to do it! It's gonna be a pretty good battle for the rest of the season now, which keeps it interesting for the fans I guess! Everyone's stepping it up and it's pretty cool to see... I'm excited for Mt. St. Anne next, hoping it rains! - Rachel Atherton |
I never set out to win great records or try to break Peaty's, I just get on with my thing and try to do as well as I can in every race I can. It's funny, but here I didn't really feel like I was riding well on the track... I was taking strain and it wasn't gelling so it was very tough! Of course you love riding and it's all great and all fairytale to be on your bike, but when you don't get on well with the track and you're battling, not riding well, it sucks. I had to change a lot of lines and change a lot before quali. I knew with that gap and the mistakes I made that I was on the pace and that really made me a lot happier and I realized I could have a shot on this! This morning I changed up my lines again and I was quite nervous because I hadn't hit them in practice and then I got a puncture and another mechanical - things weren't really going my way! I was trying to run it a bit safer and brake a little bit because I knew if I could keep it smooth and together my time would be good - Greg Minnaar |
When I came out of the gate I knew I'd have to be a lot faster and smoother at the top so I didn't even sprint out of the gate because I just wanted to nail the first turn. I got that dialled - it didn't feel super pinned, just smooth and I think in these real dusty conditions that's what you've gotta do. Most of the time I'd usually go hard out and blow up towards the bottom, but I felt at home here like back in Australia. Halfway I thought I might be onto a good one, but not this good! I was real happy when I saw I had a top ten, then got crazy nervous when I realized I had a chance for the podium. I had some tears building in my eyes because it's crazy to be up there with these guys I've looked up to so much. I've stepped up my training and I want to be more serious so to get a top result down is just so incredible - Dean Lucas |
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Regardless, stoked for Minnaar. Can't help but be a bit bummed for Bruni and Fearon though.
One of the reasons I love MTB (and the gravity aspects especially) is the lack of attitude. So rare in most human endeavors today.
At the start of last season, he was probably in the top 3 of riders expected to take the overall, now he doesn't even make it to finals.
Was he even in qualifying?