History Made at UCI MTB World Champs in Val Di Sole! Greg Minnaar Crowned World Champion Again!

by | Aug 30, 2021 | Bike, Bike Events & Racing, Bike Race Reports

After the dismal weather and chaos of the 2020 UCI MTB World Champs in Leogang, this years event in Val Di Sole absolutely shot the lights out! Greg Minnaar earned his 4th World Champs Title and Nino Schurter his 9th! The South African Brigade had a good showing but there seems to a lot of catching up to do in contrast to the other nations. Catch the photos, results, videos and more below!

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History Made At Uci Mtb World Champs In Val Di Sole! Greg Minnaar Crowned World Champion Again!
The Goat Greg Minnaar did it again! 25 World Champs appearances, 12 podiums and 4 wins. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool
History Made At Uci Mtb World Champs In Val Di Sole! Greg Minnaar Crowned World Champion Again!
Greg went into the hot seat with 3 French riders to go. Loris Vergier had a couple of green splits at the top but Greg had the strength and composure to put together an unbeatable time on bottom section of the track. When Thibaut Daprela crashed in his run, the title was decided and Minnaar was the man! Watch the breakdown and the run below.
“Greg Minnaar isn’t just the GOAT, he is a mythical unicorn that defies all science and understanding”
Greg Minnaar’s finals run – UCI MTB World Champs Val Di Sole 2021
History Made At Uci Mtb World Champs In Val Di Sole! Greg Minnaar Crowned World Champion Again!
There had to be at least one French rider on top of a podium and that honour fell on Myriam Nicole in the women’s downhill! Our own Beani Thies finished 26th while Frankie Du Toit wasn’t able to race finals after a big crash in qualifying! Theo Erlangsen finished 36th, Johann Potgieter 61st, and Cullen McMaster was out of the race due to a massive crash. Heal up fast Cullen!
History Made At Uci Mtb World Champs In Val Di Sole! Greg Minnaar Crowned World Champion Again!
The first event finals of the week were that of the Short Track, making its first ever appearance at the World Champs! Not all of the top contenders from the XCO scene entered, some would save their legs for the XCO finals on Saturday.
History Made At Uci Mtb World Champs In Val Di Sole! Greg Minnaar Crowned World Champion Again!
Alan Hatherly went out the blocks hot to lead the first few laps of the Short Track but couldn’t keep the intensity to the line finishing in a still very impressive 5th! Matt Beers finished 21st, Candice Lill 11th, and Mariske Strauss 20th.
History Made At Uci Mtb World Champs In Val Di Sole! Greg Minnaar Crowned World Champion Again!
Christopher Blevins (USA) and Sina Frei (SUI) are crowned the first ever Short Track World Champions!
History Made At Uci Mtb World Champs In Val Di Sole! Greg Minnaar Crowned World Champion Again!
Saturday was XCO Finals. The classic main event for the Cross Country riders and a proper show was delivered!
History Made At Uci Mtb World Champs In Val Di Sole! Greg Minnaar Crowned World Champion Again!
Evie Richards took control of the women’s race and rode dominantly to the win! The 24 year old is now sporting the rainbow stripes on her jersey! Candice Lill crossed the line in 30th and Mariske Strauss 52nd.
History Made At Uci Mtb World Champs In Val Di Sole! Greg Minnaar Crowned World Champion Again!
When it came time for the men to race for the rainbow stripes, we wouldn’t say that many had their money on the the now 9 X World Champ Nino Shurter, but he made it happen in 2021 when it mattered most (aside from the olympics)! Alan Hatherly battled hard for 8th place, Arno Du Toit crossed the line in 56th and Matt Beers in 69th.

World champs week is always jam packed with action but we only have a few days to wait until the downhill and XCO action kicks off again in Lenzerheide Switzerland for the next World Cup round!

We’ll keep you in the loop on all the info as well as some insight into the Enduro World Series event in Loudenvielle France this week!

All images credited to Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool unless otherwise stated.

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