South Africa’s Greg Minnaar in action

South Africa’s Greg Minnaar snatched victory this weekend during the thrilling climax to the first leg of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Cross Country and Downhill race in Pietermaritzburg.

Sunday saw the DHI – Women’s and Men’s Elite events over a 3,12km course that dropped 416 metres from top to bottom, through a forest, over bridges, rocks and high jumps.

The women’s event was won by Tracy Hannah of  Australia with Manon Carpenter of Great Britain second, and Emmeline Tagot of France third – the winning time was 4:33,806.

The men’s event was a real photo finish that went down to a final charge by local hero Greg Minnaar, who clocked 3:57,980, pipping Aaron Gwin of the USA into second place by 0,632 of a second, with Mick Hannah of Australia in third place. Check out Minnaar’s win on video after the jump.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L07cGj8faiI

The victory was an emotional one for Minnaar, who had spent much of the past fortnight at his father’s side in intensive care at a local hospital. Minnaar’s team had given him the licence to withdraw but his father had insisted that he carry on.

It was Minnaar’s sixteenth World Cup victory in his 54th outing. Here are the full rankings for the men’s leg:

1. Greg Minnaar (RSA) 3:57,980
2. Aaron Gwin (USA) +0,632
3. Mick Hannah (AUS) +0,994
4. Gee Atherton (GBR) +1,303
5. Steve Smith (CAN) +4,384
6. Jared Graves (AUS) +4,436
7. Andrew Neethling (RSA) +4,800
8. Troy Brosnan (AUS) +5,017
9. Julien Camellini (FRA) +5,604
10. Cédric Gracia (FRA) +5,674

[Source: IOL, Red Bull]