Fresh from domination at Fort William last weekend, the Syndicate team are now focused fully on Maribor, Slovenia where the competition for top spot couldn’t be tighter. Peaty and Greg Minnaar like to keep things tight and the healthy competition at Santa Cruz is paying dividends, even Miami Bryceland is getting in on the action with a solid run which saw him briefly take top spot and an overall 7th.
Dry weather prevailed and the sun came out today to shine on Santa Cruz Syndicate’s Greg Minnaar (SRAM/RockShox), as he grabs his second Nissan UCI Downhill win of the season with the stamp of conviction to his run. He topped the leader board 1.45 seconds ahead of 2nd place Sam Hill. Josh Bryceland had a smoking run and placed 7th, his best result this year. He finished just behind a disappointed Steve Peat in 6th. Rounding out the top five was Sam Blenkinsop in 3rd, followed by Gee Atherton and Mick Hannah.
‘Dr’ Steve Peat has somehow found time to plan what is sure to be a mouth-watering 4th annual Wharncliffe Weekender, despite his hectic racing schedule and his new found profession, delivering babies! Little did Sheffield University know last year that the honorary doctorate awarded in 2008 was to pre-empt the delivery of son number 2. All this when the UCI Downhill World Cup is now in full swing with Steve having a blistering start and leading the points series with 2 wins and a podium in the 3 rounds so far. His win in Andorra has now established the Sheffield born rider as the most successful of all time with 17 World Cup wins. He’s somehow finding time for the return of the ever popular event ……
The legendary British mountain biker who is currently dominating the downhill World Cup has his sights set on a record-breaking performance at the forthcoming Fort William leg of the Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.
The 34-year-old’s next challenge is the Downhill event at Fort William on Sunday 7th of June, where a top five place would see him take to the podium for the fiftieth time in his career – another first for a professional mountain biker.
Steve commented: “All World Cup events are big but this year’s Fort William leg is going to be huge. There’s some tough competition out there but I’m determined to take the top place. The atmosphere’s always brilliant in Scotland and the home support helps massively.”
Mike Jardine, from Fort William World Cup organisers Rare Management, added: “Steve’s a true legend and on top form at the moment. He’s got an incredible following and this is the chance for all his British fans to celebrate his record-breaking achievements at Fort William. The noise and sheer will power from the crowds will be worth a few seconds. The atmosphere is sure to be electric.”
Santa Cruz Syndicate’s Steve Peat (SRAM/RockShox) has just won the Lisbon Downtown race, yet again, for the 8th consecutive year, raising speculation that he somehow has some cheat lines, which of course is not the case. Mick Hannah was riding incredibly well and came 2nd with our own Greg Minnaar rounding out the podium with a third place finish. In his first Lisbon appearance, Josh Bryceland wowed the crowd with his huge whips and bowed down to the master.
Santa Cruz Syndicate’s Steve Peat (SRAM/RockShox) wins the Nissan UCI World Cup downhill today in Andorra with Greg Minnaar 3rd and Josh Bryceland having a solid run for a 9th place finish putting the Syndicate in the team overall lead. It was a storybook ending to the week with Peat’s back to back wins earning him the prestige of winning the most UCI Downhill’s in history at 17 wins. Minnaar said he rode a bit too conservative, but it was an excellent run to get him back on the podium. Bryceland’s performance was his best all year and he shows that he is ramping up into the senior category nicely.
Steve Peat (Santa Cruz Syndicate) took his second consecutive win in the men’s Downhill at Vallnord and the 17th of his career, breaking Nicolas Vouilloz’s record for most World Cup wins, and extending his lead in the overall standings.
