Minaar looking for MTB Downhill World Cup record
SA mountain bike world champion Greg Minaar is looking to set a World Cup record after winning the UCI Downhill World Cup leg in Scotland last weekend.
His victory saw him equal English teammate Steve Peat’s record of 17 World Cup career wins. It was also Minaar's fifth win at the Fort William track in Scotland.
Speaking to East Coast Radio Sportwave ahead of this weekend’s World Cup stop on Austria’s Leogang track, Minaar said he was motivated to break Peat’s record.
“It’s a good track for me here and I’ve got some confidence coming from Scotland. I’d like to have a crack at it here and I feel I want to win an 18 one. I know it’s going to be tough but I’ve got to focus on the race and do the best I can. I will take it each step of the way and not really worry,” Minaar said.
“It’s definitely in the back of my mind; it would be amazing if I can double up and win back to back races and take that 18th win.”
Reflecting on his win in Scotland, Minaar admitted conditions were difficult – but he was happy to have reached Peat’s milestone.
“It was a tough race; we had Saturday’s qualifying delayed because of weather. By the time race came on Sunday, the course started to dry, the conditions were changing and the track was really beat up so to put the run together was pretty tough,” Minaar said.
“I’m super chuffed to be able to equal my teammates Steve’s record of wins.”
Minaar admitted it had taken a long time to rack up 17 wins, citing injuries and other obstacles.
“It’s been tough to get to 17 wins. The last couple of years I’ve had some bad injuries, I injured my ACL in my knee and was coming back from that – it’s taken me some time. But I’ve equalled Steve now and I have to better it so the pressure is on.”
His latest World Cup win has put him third on the standings and Minaar is confident he can still catch up and potentially win this year’s Downhill series. There are five World Cup races left to go.
“I’ve just moved up to third overall in the standings. I tore ligaments in my thumb earlier this year and had to have an operation two weeks before the first World Cup race. So I managed to ride and get some points, but I’ve now jumped from 23rd to 3rd,” Minaar said.
“I think if I can keep the momentum going, get some more solid results I can start catching up with Aaron Gwin (1st on the standings). It could come down to the last couple of races, we’ve got a lot of time to catch up. It’s going to be a long season."
(File Photo: Gallo Images)
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