UCI DH World Champs 2013: Pietermaritzberg Preview

The World Champs is the big one. One 4 minute chance that every racer has to prove him/herself the fastest in the World. Check out James Smurthwaites great preview here.

...Add on top of this the national pride that is at stake and it makes for one very important race run. The bragging rights and prestige that the rainbow stripes bring you for the rest of your career puts you in the league of legendary cyclists across all disciplines. Manufacturers also go all out to win, expect to see prototype gear across the field and, of course, custom colour schemes!

You can watch all the action from the World Champs on the live feed from Red Bull on Sunday afternoon here...

Live Feed

Last year's World Champs were at Leogang in Austria. They came on the back of a season dominated by the unflappable Aaron Gwin, but it seems the American may suffer from the same curse as Steve Peat as he too failed to carry his form onto the biggest stage in Downhill Racing.

In the words of Rob Warner... Look at the Gifs!

Gwin and Peaty's losses were Minnaar's gain however, as the South African stormed to victory ahead of the rest of the field.

This year, it seems that the UCI are not quite as anti-enduro as first thought, as the World Champs are heading to South Africa, more specifically Pietermaritzberg. Pietermaritzberg has been on the World Cup circuit since 2009 and has always been criticized for long pedalling sections and a lack of technicality. It does have some interesting features though including:

The Contenders

Greg Minnaar: The current World Champion will be looking to dominate on his home patch this weekend. He will be hoping the extra support can push him on to the top step he has been so close to all year.

Gee Atherton: There's not much to say about Gee that's not already been said this year. His blistering and relentless consistency mean it is foolish to count him out of any race.

Stevie Smith: Stevie seems to be coming into form the more ridiculous his moustache gets. He has picked up his second World Cup win and dominated Crankworx in the past couple of weeks and this is the current state of his facial faux pas, be afraid world... very afraid.

Jared Graves: He may seem like a wild card but his enduro experience will stand him well. He will be among the fittest guys in the field and photos of him using single crown forks in practice shows that he intends to capitalise on this.

Peaty: He won his only World Champs on a Canberra track that was also criticised for being too pedally. Could this be the final jewel in the crown of a sterling career?

Podium Predictions:

1. Greg Minaar
2. Gee Atherton
3. Jared Graves
4. Stevie Smith
5. Mick Hannah

Women

... it'll be Rachel

Credit - James Smurthwaite