UCI DH World Cup 2013: Hafjell - Santa Cruz Syndicate Report

What a wet and wild World Cup race we had in Hafjell, Norway as the conditions were changing dramatically for the race with intermittent rain and high winds. Greg Minnaar showed just what a consistent rider he is with a 5th place podium spot and Steve Peat was just behind him in 6th! Josh Bryceland held steady for a 14th place run in the fast, rocky wet track.

All week the riders loved this track with it’s big, fast jumps, open grassy turns, and brutal, technical rock sections. Steve especially likes it here and was pinning it all week along side Greg and Josh. With the rain really settling in the night before the race changes were made to accommodate this with Greg putting the Maxxis Shorty tires on the front and rear.

Once the final started the quickly changing weather made it very difficult to race and there were some crazy moments for riders making for spectacular big screen action.

Josh made it to the hot seat finishing his run, then Steve came down like a man possessed just sticking his lines as if in the dry and flying. He took the 2nd spot on the hot seat and watched the field come down and watched his time hold up for 6th place right behind Greg. This marks Greg’s 60th World Cup Downhill podium in 97 starts!

Greg wasn’t pleased with his ride and says, “I was riding great all week but in my race run I had moments of brilliance mixed with moments of struggling. I just didn’t put together the run the way I wanted. I am happy that it was enough to get me on the podium and I’m even more stoked that Steve was right behind me!”

Steve was beaming and said, “I love the track here in Norway. It has a great mix of everything and is great fun to ride. Although it was tough to transition from mainly dry practice to a wet track for Sunday morning, I still felt confident. My V-10 was awesome all weekend and I was over the moon to finish in 6th place! It's been a while since I had a top ten so feels really good! Obviously I didn't make the podium so there is always room for improvements too!!! Thanks to everyone on the Syndicate and all our sponsors for the wicked support. Nice one Greg for his 5th place, too!”

Leogang is the next stop and the final race of the World Cup season!

Thanks to the SYNDICATE sponsors:

• SANTA CRUZ BICYCLES
• FOX
• SHIMANO
• ENVE
• MAXXIS
• MUC OFF
• CLIF BAR
• WTB
• BIRZMAN
• FOXHEAD
• CHRIS KING
• LIZARD SKINS