Per Canadian MTB:
In a historic day in Lousã, Greg Minnaar sets a new record for the most World Cup wins at 22. With his win in Portugal, the South African pushes farther ahead of Aaron Gwin’s total of 20.
Minnaar sealed the victory before the last man was down the mountain. His teammate, Loris Vergier was fastest in qualifying but had to roll out the last half of his run on a flat front tire.
“Its one of those bittersweet wins where one of your biggest rivals, who is also your teammate, is leading the World Cup then punctures on the way down,” Minnaar said at the finish line, referring to Vergier. “But, yeah, I can’t believe it. I’m speechless really.”
At 39 years old, Minnaar is by far the oldest ever World Cup winner. Asked how he stays fast, and where he found the motivation to put one second into his rivals on the flat pedalling section, Minnaar responded that “You push yourself when you’re racing into another mindset, another level. I think that’s what the addiction of racing is.”
Minnaar’s 80th World Cup podium comes at the end of a hard year for everyone. But it is all the more impressive after going through a strict lockdown in South Africa that prevented him from training outside his house.
Greg Minnaar’s (Santa Cruz Syndicate) win is the story of the day in the elite men’s race, but not the only significant result. Matt Walker (Madison Saracen) continues his breakout season with second place. Finishing just 1.833 back of the South African, and with Vergier’s mechanical, Walker is now a threat to the World Cup overall. Loic Bruni (Specialized) takes third with Aaron Gwin (Intense Factory Racing) returning to form with a fourth place. Dakotah Norton (Unior Devinci) takes the final podium spot, putting two American’s on the podium.
