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Cape Town - South Africa’s Greg Minnaar has done it all in the world of downhill mountain biking. A multiple World Cup Series and World Championship winner, Minnaar has been a regular on the international MTB scene for over 15 years.
He’s at it again, and is currently in San Francisco preparing for rounds two and three of this year’s World Cup in Fort William (Scotland) and Leogang (Austria) on June 6 and 13 respectively.
The first round of the World Cup took place in Lourdes in France last month, where Minnaar raced to 22nd place overall.
“Two weeks prior to the first leg (in France) I had a torn tendon in my thumb, having surgery to mend the Stener Lesion ,” Minnaar revealed.
“The first leg was mainly about getting some World Cup points, so 22nd wasn’t that bad for me.”
Minnaar has now spent the last six weeks recovering from the injury, while he has also tested a new bike (Santa Cruz ) in Andorra.
“The thumb is coming right. It is still a bit sore but its come a long way and I know it won’t bother me by Fort William,” said the Pietermaritzburger.
“The testing in Andorra was really awesome. I’m feeling good and the new bike suits my style – I feel like I can push harder and get away with a lot more.”
“I know I have the pace; it’s like I have a second wind.”
At 33, Minnaar acknowledges that there are physical aspects to his training that are tougher now than they were all those years ago, but he still feels like he can compete at the highest level for a while yet.
“I reckon I still have another three or so seasons left in me,” he said
“There are a few bones that click here and there, but that warms up and I actually feel in better shape than I have in a while."
"I’ve altered my training a little this year as I feel I was a little too focused on endurance rather then power, and it seems to be working.”
The Fort William leg of the MTB Downhill World Cup starts on June 6.
World Cup schedule
June 6/7 – Fort William (GBR)
June 13/14 – Leogang (AUT)
July 3/4 – Lenzerheide (SUI)
July 31 and August 1 – Mont-Sainte-Anne (CAN)
August 7/8 – Windham (USA)
August 21/22 – Val Di Sole (ITA)
