MTB World Cup #1: Greg Minnaar and Tracy Hannah top downhill podium

MTB World Cup #1: Greg Minnaar and Tracy Hannah top downhill podium

Brief report and photos from Pietermaritzburg

Rob Jones

Published: March 18, 2012 at 6:07 pm

For full results, reports and photos of the MTB World Cup, visit Cyclingnews.com.

Men: Minnaar wins downhill World Cup opener at home

Greg Minnaar (Santa Cruz Syndicate) delighted home crowds by winning the elite men's downhill final at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday afternoon.

After clocking the fastest qualifying time, Minnaar also was fastest in the finals.

"I knew up top that I was behind. I made some stupid mistakes at the beginning and I had to make up as much as I could later. I just had to put my head down and go," said Minnaar, who also noted how much he was helped by the cheering of locals.

"It was electric out there. It was so wild. When I jumped into the finish area, the crowd was just amazing."

2011 World Cup winner Aaron Gwin (Trek World Racing) finished second ahead of Mick Hannah (Hutchinson United Ride).

Results

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Women: Hannah wins her first race back on the downhill World Cup circuit

Tracey hannah (hutchinson united ride) on her winning ride : tracey hannah (hutchinson united ride) on her winning ride - Rob Jones

Australian Tracy Hannah (Hutchinson United Ride) marked a successful return to World Cup racing after four years away by winning the elite women's downhill.

"I'm extraordinarily satisfied. I did heaps of training and I'm so exhausted. I can't believe it. It's amazing," she said.

Junior world champion Manon Carpenter (Madison Saracen Downhill Team) finished second ahead of Emmeline Ragot (MS Mondraker Team) in third.

Results

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