SA WORLD CHAMP THREE TIMES

Greg Minnaar was born in Pietermaritzburg in 1981 and went on to became the world downhill mountain bike champion. His parents owned a cycle shop in Pietermaritzburg, but his initial sport was motocross but he eventually changed to mountain biking around the forests in World's View. In 1997, he took part in the World Cup in Switzerland - he was 16 years old and qualified in 12th place. In the final race, he fell and ended in 51st place. Afterwards he decided to became a fulltime downhill racer. His headmaster at Alexander High School supported his decision to leave school immediately. In the World Cup that took place in Stellenbosch he finished 28th. During his first year overseas he questioned his decision to turn professional. He missed his family and friends, and found it tough to cope. Greg perservered and eventually he settled into the lifestyle. In 2001 he won his first World Cup event in Kaprun, Austria. In 2003 he won only one race but finished in the top five often - often enough that at the ed of the season he was world champion. He was named the South African Mountain Bike Cyclist of the Year for 2003. Following this, Greg was offered a spot on the Team G Cross Honda, where he stayed for four years. He won his second World Cup points series overall victory in 2005. He ended the 2007 season with a dislocated and fractured shoulder in his winning World Championship final run. He now races for the Santa Cruz Syndicate team.