UCI Mountain Bike World Cup 6, Elite Men Downhill, - - BikeRadar

Elite men downhill: - km

MTB World Cup: Minnaar speeds to downhill win

Greg Minnaar (Santa Cruz Syndicate) flying over the last jumps (Dave McElwaine/www.trailwatch.net )

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Greg Minnaar is now two for two in the recent World Cups. After winning in Fort William, Minnaar doubled up with a win in Mont-Sainte-Anne. As the last man down the mountain, he dropped nine seconds off his qualifying time and took over the lead from second-fastest qualifier Sam Hill (Monster Energy) and third fastest qualifier and world champion Gee Atherton (Animal Commencal).

"Coming from last year, I knew I had a chance. It was a confidence thing," said Minnaar, who also won in 2001. "Last year, if my shoulder hadn't come out [dislocated during the run, yet he still finished second - ed.]. I would have had a much better chance of winning."

In between the semi-finals and the finals, Minnaar tweaked his suspension settings. "I souped up my fork so it was better on the small bumps. It made a difference - giving me more traction up front.

"I didn't have a clean run; it was a bit loose now and then, and I still made a few mistakes like I did on the earlier run" said Minnaar. "I don't think anyone can have a clean run in downhill racing. If they say they do, I think they're lying," he laughed.

After a crash at the World Championship cost Sam Hill a win despite a six second advantage beforehand, he said, "It was a safe run - I wanted to make it down without crashing. I wanted to make sure I didn't get a flat. I'm pleased to get second - it's good points for the series."

Looking back at worlds, Hill said, "I think it was one of those things and I got unlucky on that turn. I know everyone says I could have slowed down, but if someone had told me I was up by six seconds I probably wouldn't have slowed down. I was just unlucky really."

Third placed Atherton said, "It's a track where you really need to hold on to the bike. Nearly every run this weekend, the course has changed - whether it was getting wetter and rougher or drying out like this afternoon. Every time it dried out a little more, you could hit something a little faster. It kept the race exciting."

For full results, report and photos, visit Cyclingnews.com

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ELITE MEN DOWNHILL RESULTS