UCI World Cup #1 News

MINNAAR WINS WORLD CUP OPENER IN PIETERMARITZBURG

South Africa’s Greg Minnaar responded well to the pressure of racing in his hometown when he won the men’s downhill event at the first round of the Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, presented by Shimano, sponsored by DCM Chrome in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa on Sunday.

The 27-year-old reigning World Cup Series champion was the second-last rider to start after having been pipped in Friday’s qualifying round by Australian champion, Mick Hannah. Thousands of fans and curious Pietermaritzburg residents packed the forest-lined edge of the 2.8km course to cheer Minnaar on as he attempted, under great pressure, to secure the victory.

Minnaar’s smooth style and speed saw him clock a time of 3min43.44 seconds to upstage his British Santa Cruz Syndicate teammate, Steve Peat from interim first place. He then waited anxiously for last starter, Hannah (GT Racing) to complete his run.

Hannah’s time splits on the course, displayed live on the big-screen television at the finish arena indicated that Hannah wasn’t likely to beat Minnaar, but only when the digital clock ticked past Minnaar’s time was the victory assured, with Hannah grabbing the runner-up place just over two seconds slower than Minnaar.

Peat finished in third place with Australia’s two-time world champion, Sam Hill (Monster Energy / Specialized) and Britain’s current world champion, Gee Atherton (Animal Commencal) rounding out the top five respectively.

Minnaar was swamped by celebrating members of his fan club as media struggled to get near the popular former world champion. It was the perfect result for the event being held for the first time on the African continent and bodes well for a return in 2010.

“Man, I got great support today! All the guys up on the top of the course, and all the way down, they gave me the support I wanted. It was good to have so many home fans here, and they weren’t going to accept a second place,” smiled an elated Minnaar.

“It was most probably better to have qualified behind Mick Hannah. I had a different kind of pressure because I had something to aim for. I knew I had a time to better, rather than having a time to defend. It was hard pushing the whole way, really hard, but it was hard for everyone. To win here and get the response I got was just crazy!”

Nissan UCI World Cup, presented by Shimano, sponsored by DCM Chrome
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Downhill, Sunday 12 April 2009
Leading results
Men
1 Greg Minnaar RSA 3min43.44sec
2 Mick Hannah AUS 3:45.69
3 Steve Peat GBR 3:49.25
4 Sam Hill AUS 3:50.18
5 Gee Atherton GBR 3:52.01
6 Cameron Cole NZL 3:53.20
7 Justin Leov NZL 3:54.01
8 Jared Graves AUS 3:54.32
9 Marc Beaumont GBR 3:54.83
10 Julien Camellini FRA 3:54.95

For full results, visit www.uci.ch

Photo 1:
Fans wait expectantly as Greg Minnaar approaches the finish line on his winning run in the men’s downhill event at the Nissan UCI MTB World Cup, presented by Shimano, sponsored by DCM Chrome in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa on Sunday.
Photo: GARY PERKIN

Photo 2:
Greg Minnaar carries the South African flag after winning the men’s downhill event at the Nissan UCI MTB World Cup, presented by Shimano, sponsored by DCM Chrome in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa on Sunday.
Photo: GARY PERKIN

Photo 3:
The men’s downhill podium at the at the Nissan UCI MTB World Cup, presented by Shimano, sponsored by DCM Chrome in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa on Sunday. From left: Jason Theunissen (DCM Chrome), Sam Hill (4th), Mick Hannah (2nd), Greg Minnaar (1st), Steve Peat (3rd), Gee Atherton (5th), Lassana Palenfo (UCI).
Photo: GARY PERKIN

And in the Women’s race, Tracy Moseley Wins!

MOSELEY CELEBRATES 30TH BIRTHDAY WITH WORLD CUP WIN

Great Britain’s Tracy Moseley celebrated her 30th birthday with podium champagne when she won the women’s downhill event at the first round of the Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, presented by Shimano, sponsored by DCM Chrome in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa on Sunday.

Going into Sunday’s final as the fastest qualifier by nine seconds, the Trek World Racing team member had a near flawless run down the 2.8km course to capture victory from Frenchwoman Emmeline Ragot (Suspension Centre) by more than six seconds. Another Frenchwoman, Sabrina Jonnier (Maxxis / Rocky Mountain) took third place.

“It was totally wicked!” exclaimed Moseley. “I thought the course would never end. It was tough up towards the top – really technical. I would’ve preferred the whole course to be like that. None of us like pedalling! We’re downhillers! But it’s the best 30th birthday present a girl could wish for.

South Africans Joanna Petterson and Anke Martin finished 10th and 12th respectively.

Nissan UCI World Cup, presented by Shimano, sponsored by DCM Chrome
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Downhill, Sunday 12 April 2009
Leading results
Women
1 Tracy Moseley GBR 4min20.15seoc
2 Emmeline Ragot FRA 4:26.53
3 Sabrina Jonnier FRA 4:28.61
4 Fionn Griffiths GBR 4:32.93
5 Claire Buchar CAN 4:34.20
6 Floriane Pugin FRA 4:35.85
7 Melissa Buhl USA 4:40.90
8 Myriam Nicole FRA 4:41.91
9 Joanna Petterson RSA 4:42.48
10 Emilie Siegenthaler SUI 4:47.28

Photo 1: Tracy Moseley storms to victory in the women’s downhill event at the Nissan UCI MTB World Cup, presented by Shimano, sponsored by DCM Chrome in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa on Sunday.
Photo: GARY PERKIN