Pietermaritzburg World Cup - Saturday

Apr 23, 2011
by Fraser Britton  
The downhillers had an easy "extra" practice day today that they get at triples. 9:30am start, done by 12:30 and they can go watch the cross country races and cheer on their teammates. Most riders only did 2 runs and then took off for lunch and to work on their tan under blazing hot African sunshine. Note to self: do not forget your sunscreen.

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Local legend Greg Minnaar prepares to defend his PMB title on a track that he can see from his back porch.
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Sean O'connor hits the step up just before the mega booster hip.
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The track is so fast here, that mechanics are cutting down already fast rolling dry tires, in an effort to eke out that last .001 second.
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South Africa's Andrew Neethling gets ready to go big here on his home turf. His whole family is here, and his brother Jonty is also racing.
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Sabrina Jonnier slides her way through the dust at the bottom of the course.
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Canadian ripper Emily batty makes 29ers look huge as she rips her way to a mid 20th place finish.
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Sam Hill and Troy Brosnan cheer on their Specialized teammates during the XC.

Stay tuned for more World Cup DH coverage!


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28 Comments
  • 10 0
 any one made any cool edits yet, or who will soon please, thanks for the article btw, nice pics too, just really want to see a video of this speed. ..
  • 5 1
 freecaster , dirt tv?
  • 3 2
 check vitalmtb. they already have some qualy footage that's sick.
  • 10 1
 Gee Atherton for the win!!!
  • 1 1
 no he won't. i think sam hill will. he is known for pushing the limits of what we do on a bikes. and only being 4 seconds back on first i really think he could take it.
  • 1 0
 4 seconds is a lot. i would be cheering for Sam this race but i want Minaar to win just to make everyone proud
  • 1 0
 as much as i like sam, i think this is a race between siik miik and minaar
  • 1 0
 yeah i would be just as happy for mick to win. i just don't know if he has what it takes to back up a first place qualifier with a win. he us under A LOT of pressure with a very powerful minnaar only second back.
  • 8 4
 sam hill's tattoo is so sick
  • 5 0
 Any vids coming?
  • 6 2
 Loving the tattoos Mr. Hill!
  • 5 1
 Danny Hart !
  • 2 0
 he qualified last.....
  • 2 0
 he had a mechanical !!
  • 1 0
 oh ok. im so glad thats all. he is my favorite up coming DH racer. it would be great to see him with podium this year. i think if he can do it, Ft William is the place.
  • 1 0
 Was quite shocked to see Gwynne smash it by soo much, well done to him !!!
  • 1 0
 Gwin*
  • 2 0
 I put my coins to greg! but who knows!!!?
  • 1 0
 betting Brook MacDonald betters his qualy result. he won jnr worlds on a track like this.
  • 2 1
 xc, how miserably it looks against downhill (not in terms of phisical preparation, to be precise)
  • 1 0
 is it just me or dose sam hill look fat now. just saying .
  • 2 0
 GO GWINY!!!
  • 1 0
 emily batty3 soo dreamy
  • 1 0
 no no no, Cierra Smith, sooooooooooo dreamy!
  • 1 0
 Flowy looking course
  • 1 0
 yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhh =]
  • 1 1
 mmmm







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