The fairytale becomes reality for Minnaar in Pietermaritzburg MyZA

Greg Minnaar of South Africa defended his men’s downhill World Championship title on Sunday at the UCI MTB and Trials World Championships 2013 at Cascades MTB Park in Pietermaritzburg. Photo: Darren Goddard / Gameplan Media

Greg Minnaar became only the third rider to win a men’s downhill World Championship title on home soil when the Pietermaritzburg local hero won an emotionally charged final in front of tens of thousands of fans at the Cascades MTB Park.

Minnaar, starting third from last, edged Australian Michael Hannah off the hotseat by less than half a second, and then had to wait and watch as first Steve Smith of Canada crashed, and then Gee Atherton struggled home, before his status as world champion was confirmed, and the delirious crowd started celebrations in earnest.

Minnaar came into the race hampered by a right leg and knee injury, and suffered a puncture to his rear tyre, and had to struggle to control his bike at high speed going into the closing stages of the Moneymaker jump into the finish.

As he started dealing with hordes of high-spirited supporters, Minnaar dedicated the win to the late Burry Stander, and to former president Nelson Mandela, whose image was emblazoned across his helmet.

The character of the downhill course changed significantly during the week, with rain, strong winds and dust all challenging the riders, and for Minnaar was important for him to keep his advantage once he had it.

“I started really loose,” the three time champion said. “It was pretty blown-up up there and I just had to find my rhythm up the top and when I found it I just tried to go as fast as possible.”

The pressure that was on Minnaar was fairly substantial due to the fact that he not only had to defend the title but defend it in his home town and he not only did his town proud – he did his nation proud.

“I had the whole of South Africa behind me, not only Pietermaritzburg.

“You can really feel the pressure, especially when you come out of gate and the first marshall on the course is shouting your name!” Minnaar mentioned.

Summary of results – UCI MTB and Trials World Championships

Mens elite downhill
1. Greg Minnaar (RSA) 3:58.058
2. Michael Hannah (AUS) +00.396
3. Jared Graves (AUS) +03.333
4. Samuel Blenkinsop (NZL) +03.746
5. Matthew Simmonds (GBR) +03.939
6. Nick Beer (SUI) +04.041
7. Gee Atherton (GBR) +04.303
8. Marcelo Gutierrez Villegas (COL) +04.423
9. Johannes Fischbach (GER) +04.759
10. Troy Brosnan (AUS) +06.582

For more UCI MTB Trials World Championships news, click here.

For more breaking sporting news and views, visit MySport24 on Twitter and Facebook.