UCI DH World Cup 2014: Pietermaritzburg - CRC/Nukeproof Report

16 April 2014  |  

Sam Hill takes top-10 result for Team CRC/Nukeproof in Pietermaritzburg downhill World Cup.

The Australian legend posts an impressive time on one of his least favourite tracks, in his first major race since injury at the end of last season.

It's been a long wait, but the first round of the 2014 UCI Downhill World Cup took place in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, over the weekend where Team CRC/Nukeproof rider Sam Hill snatched a top-10 result on a track least favoured by the Australian flyer.

Team Manager Nigel Page was there to bring us this report:

As fans of Sam Hill, you probably won't believe that he was really nervous coming into this race. The five-time World Champion finished off last year with a huge crash at the World Championships on this very track in Pietermaritzburg and then a really serious knee injury at the World Cup finals in Leogang. Sam only got on his downhill bike in the last couple of weeks but has been putting in the miles on his cross-country bike which shows with his new super-fit looking stature.

Sam Hill

We chose a to ride a slackened out Nukeproof Mega AM bike equipped with an 180mm travel RockShox Boxxer fork because of the long pedal section on this track, and I think we made the right choice. The course designers made a great job of changing up the top section of the track making it into a proper gnarly downhill course which would have been great on the Nukeproof Pulse but for the overall track the modified Megas were on the money!

This is Sam's least favourite track of the year so to come away with a ninth place on flat pedals is a fantastic start to his World Cup campaign! He now doesn't need to be nervous and can unleash his full talent on the rest of the tracks. Well done mate we are all really stoked for you. Thanks for putting the work in.

Sam Hill

Joe Smith finished in 51st this weekend which I know he was really disappointed with and not where he wanted to be to start of the World Cups, but we are not going to dwell on this, we are going to stay positive and work together as a team and help Joe get to where he should be, which is a lot higher up the rankings. Joe has more than enough speed and talent to be running with the top boys and we are going to turn it around for the next race two weeks' time in Cairns, Australia.

Mike Jones; what can I say about this young talented lad from South Wales? It is an absolute pleasure to have him as part of our team. He is a wild lad on his bike with a ton of talent and pace, but on top of that he has a great attitude and is a ton of fun to have around. He is a great new team member with a big future in our sport.

Unfortunately Mike broke his metacarpal bone in his hand only three weeks ago and was looking like he would be out of action for a while. But he decided to cut off his cast this week and give it a go because he was so desperate to race and contribute to the team. There was no pressure on him to ride but we went along with his decision to give it a go. In the qualifier Mike was on pace to easily making it through to the finals when he rear flatted within 30 seconds of the finish line. He continued to charge on with his broken hand and flat back tyre when his tyreless rear wheel couldn't handle the final big rock garden and that was the end of his run.

Sam Hill

Mike walked into the finish area totally devastated to not make the finals in his first senior World Cup and first race for the team. But the way he turned it all around in only half an hour and was positive and helped out the other riders for their race was so impressive for a young lad and just showed he is such a great sportsman and asset to the team. It's great to have Mike on board.

Thanks so much to Jacy and Julien who did an amazing job with keeping the bikes in mint condition all week and everything running calm and smooth and a huge thanks to all our sponsors for the best bikes and equipment we could wish for.

Also a huge thanks to Salva for his amazing work behind the lens capturing what the riders do and full commitment to his work all week late into the night. Great to have you with us mate.

Also, thanks so much to the Monster SA guys for hooking us up with tents, drinks, chairs and tables. It was really good guys, and made us look pro.

From here we move onto Cairns, Australia in two weeks' time for round two and we are #onthehunt for that podium!

Cheers for now.

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