Greg Minnaar has won the 2017 Lenzerheide World Cup. This was the 21st of his career and cemented his lead at the top of the World Cup standings.
Aaron Gwin was on for the win, with a 1.5 second lead coming into the final sector but flatted handing Minnaar the glory.
Phil Atwill was the first rider to beat Aaron Gwin’s qualifying time from yesterday, some overnight rain had transformed the dry dust into more grippy dirt. He was immediately beaten by Laurie Greenland, whose aggressive ride was the first under the three minute mark.
It wasn’t until the top six and Greenland’s team mate Danny Hart that we would see some change at the top. Danny put over a second into the hotseat time despite some big crashes in training.
Loris Vergier was next up as we went into the top five qualifiers but a slip up on the first corner saw him instantly out of the running. His former team mate Bruni was next in the gate but couldn’t quite find the smoothness he had in Vallnord and finished off the hotseat.
Into the top three and 2015 winner Minnaar was up to defend his leader’s jersey. His smoothness once again proved beneficial on this tricky track and he cemented his 75th career podium by 2 seconds
Troy Brosnan was next up to try for his second win on the trot. He was within thousandths of Minnaar at the top and it stayed close as the run continued. In split four he went green by less than a tenth but slipped back in the final sector to slot just behind Minnaar.
Gwin was last man left at the top and proceeded to just do one of those runs only he can seem to produce. He pulled out a second in the first sector alone and from them on it was pure domination.
With six stitches in his leg, he seemed destined for the win, but a flat tyre within sight of the line scuppered his run and saw him limp home in 51st. Gutting.
So Minnaar takes his 21st win, becomes the first man to win two World Cups this year and continues his stunning season. His flag is firmly plantedas favourite for the overall. Will anybody be able to take it off him with two rounds to go?
2017 Lenzerheide downhill World Cup results
- Greg Minnaar – 2:57.042
- Troy Brosnan – 2:57.204
- Danny Hart – 2:58.868
- Laurie Greenland – 2:59.965
- Phil Atwill – 3:00.830
