{"id":19824,"date":"2015-06-13T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-06-13T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/2015\/06\/13\/interview-greg-minnaar-r2760\/"},"modified":"2023-02-08T10:49:29","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T10:49:29","slug":"interview-greg-minnaar-r2760","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/interview-greg-minnaar-r2760\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview: Greg Minnaar"},"content":{"rendered":"

Greg Minnaar threw himself down Fort William faster than anyone else last Sunday. It was his 17th World Cup victory, tying with his teammate, and fellow downhill great, Steve Peat. Along the way he has also collected three World Cup titles and three World Champion’s jerseys.<\/p>\n

We caught up with Greg to ask him a few questions about Fort William, his fine form going into Leogang, South Africa, and flavoured milk:<\/p>\n

Now that the mud has been washed off. What was it that saw you get down the mountain significantly faster than anyone else at Fort William?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The preparation. We (The Syndicate) had amazing preparation leading up to Fort William. Then being able to put all that together in the final ride.<\/p>\n

\"Greg<\/a><\/p>\n

Greg reached his UCI World Cup race ton last year at Fort William. \/\/ Photo credit: gregminnaar.com.<\/span><\/p>\n

You looked super comfortable on your bike at Fort William. How much has the new bigger XXL Santa Cruz V10 changed things for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It has changed things a lot for me. The bike finally fits. I feel more central and seated in the bike, which allows me to push harder and get away with a little more.<\/p>\n

Coming off the win at Fort William and having a good result at Leogang last year, you must be looking forward to this weekend\u2019s race. Do you think you\u2019re peaking at the right time for a second win in a row?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I would love it to be so easy, but I feel we\u2019ve done the right preparation. While we have confidence and things are going our way, lets keep it rolling.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s your approach to a race day run? Hit it hard all the way, aim to take risks in certain sections, build up from a solid start or simply relaxed and smooth?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I plan my run to never ride below 100% effort. Regardless of the section I attack at 100%. Where I feel comfortable, I push up to 110%.<\/p>\n

\"Greg<\/a><\/p>\n

The face of Greg’s Santa Cruz V10 from last season. \/\/ Photo credit: gregminnaar.com<\/span><\/p>\n

According to your <\/strong>Questr account<\/strong><\/a>, you\u2019ve been putting in some serious training. Obviously the injury in New Zealand was a bit of a setback but otherwise you\u2019ve been seriously dedicated. How important is fitness for you? Is it something one needs to work on during your career? Fort William is a long course and you still managed to push like a madman at the finish, did the training help?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I’ve just shared a piece of my training, all the hard work was done in the off season. We work hard, we play hard. Somewhere it gets a little lost that we just cruise and enjoy the downhill. The injury did set me back a little. Lourdes was a tough one for me, and my training did suffer, but not enough to worry about.<\/p>\n

The team seems seriously annoyed by the UCI\u2019s decision to <\/strong>deny you Elite Trade Team status<\/strong><\/a>. How much does this really impact the team and your race preparation?<\/strong><\/p>\n

We decided to celebrate the fact that we\u2019re not a trade team, its been fun celebrating\u2026.. I think for some, not so much.<\/p>\n

Your current team mates, Peat and Josh, are a rowdy bunch while you come across somewhat more focussed. Have they ever annoyed you with their antics or is it all serious business come race day?<\/strong><\/p>\n

We are all just as serious when it comes to racing, that’s how we roll on the Syndicate. You gotta be able to have a good time, as well as put 100% in to racing.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve already achieved and proved so much in your career. Where does your motivation to keep racing come from?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thanks, I don\u2019t really know. I\u2019m pretty competitive person, I thrive off self-motivation.<\/p>\n

\"Greg<\/a><\/p>\n

Mr Minn winning the World Champs in his home town of Pietermaritzburg. Photo credit: gregminnaar.com<\/span><\/p>\n

Time waits for no man and you’re constantly being bombarded by the up and coming youngsters. Even as a hardened pro, do you find that the new kids force you to up your game to levels you\u2019d never expect?<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can\u2019t be stagnant with anything you do in life. I found the same goes for racing. You have to keep testing and working on your bike as well as your weaknesses.<\/p>\n

Your local fans are often puzzled by the lack of media attention and recognition your achievements receive in South Africa. The nomination for a SA Sports Award being the major exception. Is South Africa different to other parts of the world in this regard and do you feel that it\u2019s simply a case of DH being a minor sport?<\/strong><\/p>\n

South Africa is definitely behind when it comes to recognising extreme sports, it puzzles me too. We (SA) probably have more World Champions in alternative sports then traditional sports, we do need a little change in mindset.<\/p>\n

Do you follow the racing in South Africa? Who\u2019s the next Greg Minnaar? What should be done to find, develop, and nurture the next SA DH stars?<\/strong><\/p>\n

We have a lot of talent in SA, but unfortunately I get the feeling MTB SA isn\u2019t to bothered finding the next world champion. I recently heard they might even be scrapping the National DH Series. If anything, I hope the recent media coverage can persuade them otherwise, and motivate them to come up with solutions.<\/p>\n

A number of South African riders try their hand overseas in various cycling disciplines. Besides yourself, the returns have been relatively poor. What do you believe made all the difference for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I think the biggest mistake riders make, is that they compare themselves to the local \u201cPro\u201d when racing in SA. Their mindset is all wrong. Thinking that they are going to do something special in European because the rider they beat in SA has. All that happens is that they don\u2019t come in anywhere near their expectation. In MTB you have to learn to ride the terrain before you start firing for positions.<\/p>\n

What piece of tech would you say has most disrupted DH racing in the last 5 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Carbon. We’re all about it now.<\/p>\n

Each year the events schedule causes a bit of a stir amongst fans claiming some courses are more \u201cdownhill\u201d than others. What is your take on the World Cup courses this year?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ignore the whingers. The top 5 riders rarely change venue to venue. I personally believe there is a good mix of tracks. I just wish it would come back to SA again!!!<\/p>\n

\"Greg<\/a><\/p>\n

Greg taking part in Crankworx Rotorua earlier this year.<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve noticed more and more DH riders are trying their hand at enduro, especially in the off season. What are your thoughts on the future of enduro?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I really enjoy enduro. I think once the sport finds its feet you\u2019ll see more top riders in enduro. I\u2019m keen to do a little more in the future.<\/p>\n

You had some interesting hats at Fort William. What\u2019s the story behind these?<\/strong><\/p>\n

You liking my bowl hat, a lot of compliments. They will soon be out in SA. Wahaha.<\/p>\n

One liners:<\/h2>\n

What\u2019s your junk-food weakness?<\/strong> In-N-Out & KFC<\/p>\n

Favourite flavour Steri Stumpie?<\/strong> Chocolate\u2026. I had to google what a Steri Stumpie is.<\/p>\n

Best holiday spot?<\/strong> Home<\/p>\n

Favourite South Africa band?<\/strong> aKING. I could name a whole lot more.<\/p>\n

Most memorable win?<\/strong> World Champs in Pietermaritzburg.<\/p>\n

Toughest race?<\/strong> Fort Will last week.<\/p>\n

Biggest bail? <\/strong>Car accident last year.<\/p>\n

Favourite trail in South Africa?<\/strong> Karkloof, PMB.<\/p>\n

\nThe next round of the UCI World Cup Downhill takes place in Leogang this Sunday. You can watch the final live on SuperSport 7 or redbull.tv<\/a> from 14:30.\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Greg Minnaar threw himself down Fort William faster than anyone else last Sunday. It was his 17th World Cup victory, tying with his teammate, and fellow downhill great, Steve Peat. Along the way he has also collected three World Cup titles and three World Champion’s jerseys. We caught up with Greg to ask him a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":47586,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[675,985],"featured_location":[],"class_list":["post-19824","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","tag-greg-minnaar","tag-santa-cruz-syndicate"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19824","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19824"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19824\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47586"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19824"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19824"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19824"},{"taxonomy":"featured_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured_location?post=19824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}