South African mountain biking legend, Greg Minnaar, has become the third person in history to win the downhill champs on home soil.

This, from ENCA:

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.

Minnaar won in a time of 3 minutes 58.058 seconds, with Hannah 0.396 behind in second while Australian Jared Graves was third, 03.333 behind the winning time.

Minnaar came into the race hampered by a right leg and knee injury, 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.

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

“I started really loose,” said Minnaar after the race.

“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.”

Minnaar said it was an especially sweet win on home turf.

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

[more here]

To check out the track and all the info on the race, CLICK HERE.

[image source]