![\"ccs-62657-0-87934700-1499623753.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-87934700-1499623753.jpg\")
<\/a>Greg Minnaar. Bartek Wolinski\/Red Bull Content Pool<\/span><\/p>\nMinnaar\u2019s riding at the Swiss round of this year\u2019s UCI Downhill World Cup was typical: a masterclass in impeccable risk management and almost imperceptible speed. The great South African\u2019s size (1.93m) creates a definite optical illusion, masking his pace on course. Smaller competitors appear quicker, but when the times are collated, Minnaar is inevitably faster.<\/p>\n
There is but one man who is Minnaar\u2019s true rival, American Aaron Gwin. Believed to be possibly the fastest downhill racer currently rolling up to the start gate of UCI DH events, Gwin\u2019s the complete antithesis to Minnaar: unpopular, unconcerned with his image and nuggety in proportion to Greg\u2019s tallness.<\/p>\n
Although both graduated to DH racing from the world of motocross, their styles are hugely different: Minnaar\u2019s graceful, Gwin is brutal. On Saturday, the American appeared to be brutalizing the Lenzerheide track to a victory that would be well clear of Minnaar\u2019s leading time; Gwin was 1.5 seconds ahead with the finish-line in sight, when his rear tyre failed. Spectacularly.<\/p>\n
<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBartek Wolinski\/Red Bull Content Pool.<\/span> During Friday\u2019s qualifying, Minnaar managed to destroy the spokes on his rear wheel after misjudging a landing zone, descending onto \u2013 instead of clearing – some rocks. During Saturday\u2019s race run, he adjusted his strategy, altered lines and finish fastest. On the same course, Gwin made different line choices, one of which destroyed his rear tyre \u2013 and tyre failures are not mechanicals, in DH racing, they are rider errors.<\/p>\n If a chain snaps, that\u2019s a retrenched team mechanic. If fork or rear shock fails halfway through a run \u2013 that\u2019s one factory suspension technician who\u2019s never going to a UCI DH race ever again. Bar or stem failure? Almost irreparable consumer confidence damage for the brand involved.<\/p>\n Tyres are different. The contact patch is every rider\u2019s own to manage, place and manipulate. It\u2019s risk versus reward and unless the entire field flats in a race, tyre failures must be classed as individual rider responsibility. At this time, it would appear that available tyre technology simply isn\u2019t commensurate to the lines choices Aaron Gwin is capable of taking, but understanding the limits of your equipment in the relation to the terrain you are presented with, is racing: because to finish first, you first have to finish.<\/p>\n
Gwin eventually limped home in 51st place, a flailing Flat Tire Defender foam tube testament to what could have been. In his post-race interview, Minnaar admitted that Gwin\u2019s run was by far the weekend\u2019s quickest, but there\u2019s a tremendous difference between what could have, and should have, been the result.<\/p>\nRacing is risk management<\/h2>\n