UCI Mountain Bike World Cup 9, Men's DH Final, - - BikeRadar

Men's DH final: - km

World Cup men's DH: Historic win for Blenkinsop

The final 2008 series podium (Luke Webber)

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Sam Blenkinsop has made history by recording New Zealand’s first ever World Cup victory, here in Schladming. After consistent results in the top ten throughout the year the Yeti Cycles rider clearly enjoyed the steep Schladming track that rewarded a loose style of riding.

Blenkinsop qualified in the number one position but most expected the finals to be dominated by the race for the overall World Cup title, between Greg Minnaar and Sam Hill. Finishing fourth and sixth meant the pressure was all on the final run and when Minnaar made it to the top of the hill it was clear the strain was showing.

A quiet and almost secretive atmosphere was the order, as turbos buzzed before the main event got underway. First down the hill was Minnaar and despite a small mistake in the top section he inherited the hotseat from Justin Leov. Steve Peat however made sure that Minnaar’s reign was short-lived and in theory could have ended his team-mates hope of the overall win by bumping him down the rankings.

As it came to Hill’s turn it was obvious that the Australian phenomenon had saved everything in reserve for his final run. Up at the split and gaining constantly Hill then had a huge moment, the bike tankslapping across the infamous rutted Schaldming hillside only to miraculously save it and get back on track. This cost around a second but the quality of the run was enough to take the hot-seat and a real opportunity of rescuing the season with the overall title.

Hill’s teammate Brendan Fairclough was the penultimate rider on course, posting the best split of the race but crashing on the final drop onto the Schladming slopes, having to scramble back up and rescue his bike before rolling over the line just outside the top 20.

Finally, Blenkinsop took to the descent - everyone expected a solid top ten finish but this was the Kiwi’s kind of course and he revelled in the wet. After several gasps from the crowd there was finally a shocked roar as he dropped into the arena clearly beating Hill’s time - even taking into account his mistake.

This result handed the overall title to Minnaar - an accolade he did not expect but one which was accepted very happily as the whole Santa Cruz Syndicate celebrated on the podium.

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MEN'S DH FINAL RESULTS

For full results see Cyclingnews.com