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Greg Minnaar Takes 4th In World 4X Championships 4.9.2005 South Africaís Greg Minnaar came within a bike length of making history here in Livigno (ITA) last night when he propelled is GM bike to 4th place in the final of the Menís 4X World Championship. Had he finished 3rd, he would have been the first man ever to have medalled twice in one day in World Championship gravity events.
In qualifying Greg finished 14th and was not considered a favourite for making the finals up against the main contenders who have raced the full World Cup 4X circuit as well as the batch of BMX riders who were in the field, all of whom had much quicker gate starts than Greg. His first round heat saw him progress easily along with Kamil Tatarkovic (CZE) into the 1/8th finals where they met 2003 World Champion Michal Prokop (CZE).
Prokop faltered in the gate and was last out as Tatarkovic and Greg took the lead. Prokop went over the handlebars in his pursuit of the leading riders and ending up having a compound fracture of his ankle, ending his season, as Greg and Tatarkovic once again progressed, this time into the quarters.
In the quarter finals Greg found himself up against former 2003 team mate and ex-World Champion, Mike King (USA), a legend in 4X racing, but King also crashed hard while up front, allowing Greg to move on through, again with his fellow 1st round starter Kamil Tatarkovic, both now into the semi finals. Here they joined an in-form Jared Graves (AUS) and the under rated Spanish rider Alvarez.
The semi final saw Greg in 3rd place for most of the event but as they headed into the final straight, Gregís strength and speed were too much for the tiring Spaniard, and he sprinted across the line to take 2nd, behind Graves, advancing to his first ever World Championship final in 4X.
Here he met event favourite and fastest qualifier, Brian Lopes (USA) and Mickael Deldycke (FRA), silver medallist from 2004. Knowing that these two and Jared Graves were a lot faster out of the gate, his only hope was to steer clear of any accidents in the battle for the medals, and sprint hard for the finish. The final was incident free but Greg did manage to close on Deldycke towards the end to finish a bike length back for 4th, with Lopes taking the Championship.
ìWe had our team dinner booked for 10pm, for after this event, and I didnít really rate myself a big chance so I jokingly told the team to move dinner forward to 9 oíclock! As it was, I ended up being late for dinner thanks to the good run I had tonight. I really enjoy my 4X racing and a big thanks to Honda and the team for helping me get together a bike that I first tried in May, and here we are in the Worldís finals just 4 months later. Iím really stoked, and also because my Mum and girlfriend were over from South Africa to see it all.î
Final Results:
1. Brian Lopes (USA) ñ Hyundai/GT/Oakley
2. Jared Graves (AUS) ñ Yeti Racing
3. Mickael Deldycke (FRA) ñ Fiat Rotwild
4. Greg Minnaar (RSA) ñ Team G Cross Honda
5. Eric Carter (USA) ñ Mongoose Hyundai
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