Giant DH Team in Fort William

Giant Factory Off-Road Team rider Danny Hart had a breakthrough day at Round 2 of the World Cup Downhill Series in Scotland on Sunday. The 19-year-old Brit finished second on his Giant Glory, the best result of his young career. Hart now sits fourth overall in the series after two of eight races.


Hart sent a message that he was a podium contender when he posted the third-fastest time among 174 starters in Saturday’s qualifiers. In his finals run on Sunday Hart let it all hang out, putting in a wild ride on the fast, technical course in Fort William. Hart came close to crashing several times but kept it together and finished just 1.29 seconds slower than the day's winner, South African Greg Minnaar.


Hart’s teammate, two-time U.S. Downhill Champion Duncan Riffle, also had a solid ride, finishing 24th and moving to 16th in the overall standings. The third member of the Giant Factory DH squad, South African Andrew Neethling, qualified 13th but flatted in his final run.


The 2011 UCI World Cup Downhill Series continues in Austria next week with Round 3 in Leogang. You can follow the team at the Giant Factory Off-Road Team Facebook page.