Greg Minnaar on earning his stripes

I first met World Downhill Champ Greg Minnaar on his home turf in South Africa, many years ago. I recently caught up with him for a chat. Here’s what it meant to him becoming World Champion again - at a snip under 40 years old.

ST; You’ve just won your fourth World Championship and seem to have an affinity with the rainbow jersey, something many top riders never manage to wear?
GM; I’ve always battled at World Champs; I say that, I‘ve only won 4. Nico (Vouilloz) was obviously a lot stronger at that. I think over my career I’ve probably always been more consistent and stronger overall, because of my World Cup wins.
I don’t particularly elevate myself towards it (World Champs), because it’s just another race to be honest, and I approach it the same. There’s nothing different to my routine or anything else for it.

ST: Winning the 2021 World Championship was a surprise to some. How does it rank against your other titles?

GM; I enjoyed this one a lot more. The challenge of actually getting down this track was pretty tough, so to beat the track, to beat the other riders and to win another World Championship, it was incredible. It would be my favourite win.

When I won in 2003 I was young. I always felt that a World Championship would be an easier thing to accomplish. I remember thinking that it would be easier to win a World Champs than a World Cup (overall), but I won the World Cup first which surprised me.

It took me a couple of years more to win the World Champs, which also surprised me. But, I don’t think anything compares to the last one.

ST: What is your all time favourite race or course?

GM; Fort William has just been great for me. I’ve had a lot of friends come and visit (when there). I think with starting my career in the UK it’s like home, and is definitely one I enjoy.