Minnaar claims fourth downhill world title
Eighteen years after winning his first UCI Mountain Biking
World Championship downhill title, Pietermaritzburg's Greg Minnaar produced a
flawless display to claim the gold medal at the 2021 championship event at Val
di Sole in Italy on Sunday.
The Men Elite downhill final had everyone on the edge of their seat to the very end. Austria’s Lino Lehmann was the first man under 3:45 before Antoine Vidal – third quickest qualifier, wearing No 56 – put down the first fast French marker, sub-3:35.
France’s 2018 UCI World Cup overall winner Amaury Pierron was amongst the DNFs, while GBR’s Laurie Greenland, second in the 2016 World Championships at Val di Sole crashed, as did USA’s Dakotah Norton and Spain’s Angel Suarez Alonso from leading positions.
Andreas Kolb (AUT) took top spot and defending UCI World Champion Reece Wilson (GBR) went 5th before 2016 Junior UCI World Champion (in Val di Sole), Canadian Finn Iles, chipped another 0.8sec off the best time.
With five French riders in the last ten, it appeared to be France against the world in Italy. 2011 and 2016 UCI World Champion Danny Hart (GBR) went quickest by 2.5sec before French Champion Benoit Coulanges improved it by 1.6sec.
Into the final six, multiple UCI World Championships podium finisher Troy Brosnan (AUS) went 2nd and 2020 UCI World Cup overall winner Matt Walker (GBR) slotted into 4th, then three-time UCI World Champion Greg Minnaar (RSA) defied his 39 years to take the lead.
After Loïc Bruni (FRA), the four-time UCI World Champion came in 5th, Loris Vergier (FRA), fastest qualifier and 2014 Junior UCI Champion went 4th. Then, when 2018 and 2019 Junior UCI World Champion Thibaut Dapréla (FRA) crashed for a second time, he saluted the crowd and the world saluted the big South African.
Minnaar’s 12th Men Elite podium at the UCI World Championships is his 4th title.
“Man, I just thought I’d cry on the hot seat,” said Minnaar. “I love it, I love racing. It’s in my blood to be competitive.”
