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Greg Minnaar Part #2
4th October 2004
James
In the second of our two part series we find out a bit more about the Honda G-Cross rider. News is that he's riding a new Honda bike in 2005.
FTMB: Are you happy with your progress this season?
GM: Yeah, really happy. I mean I had some very important goals this year. One was to successfully defend my NORBA title, and another was to win a World Cup DH race, so those were achieved. Of course I would love to have won the World Title again, but I came pretty close. Good luck to Fabien, he was the faster guy on the day. It was a big honour to wear the World Champ jersey and I hope to do it again some day.
FTMB: Any plans for any changes next season? Still going to be racing with Honda G-Cross?
GM: My contract is also for next year so no changes in that way, but we are working on a new version of the bike which I start testing in Japan next month, and there could be some other surprises, so stay tuned!
FTMB: Who do you go training with?
GM: At the races I train with different people like Peaty, Cyrille, Matti, David Vazquez, it all depends. At home I train with some local mates or just with my mechanic Mike van Zyl.
FTMB: What other sports do you do?
GM: Motorcross, surfing and extreme golf!
FTMB: Were you good at sports in school?
GM: I played cricket, soccer and rugby, and I was a good long distance runner, that's about it.
FTMB: How do you train? We saw you doing the long XC race during the winter, plan to do it again?
GM: My training varies, but I can tell you I do go about it more seriously than before. My coach is Stephane Girard and he writes me a program that I follow. As for the Cape Epic, that was really hard, but it gave me a big endurance base. It's not decided yet if I'll do that again, or try something else.
Signed up to Honda G-Cross for 2005
FTMB: Who was your idol back when you were younger?
GM: I don't really like the word idol as I think it can be unhealthy to idolise someone, but I certainly admired Nico like most guys in my generation, at least for his consistency and great skill.
FTMB: Did you imagine you could be where you are now? What were you aiming for back then?
GM: I don't think I really imagined a day where I would be fighting Nico for the World Cup title, and win in the final race. I was pinching myself for weeks, but at some point you understand that you have a talent for the sport you're in, and you should make the most of it. When I left school to pursue this, I wasn't entirly sure but all those around me who supported me had so much faith in me it was hard not to imagine a day where I would be successful. I measure success differently now, it's more about getting the perfect run, and helping younger kids get into the sport.
FTMB: Whats the one thing that really annoys you about mountain biking?
GM: Probably the politics, or people who don't do their job in promoting the sport. I can't believe that at some venues we have so many people and great publicity, and then you go to other venues and they don't even mention the race on the radio, or on posters....and then the event sucks, and the courses can sometimes suck if the organiser doesn't put the effort it.
Styling it up
FTMB: What do you want to achieve in downhill still?
GM: Well, I'd like to continue chasing the perfect runs, they are cool when they happen. If I have a few of those then maybe there's a few more World Cup wins and even another World Championship is possible. I'd like to feature more in the 4X, and perhaps run my own team one day.
FTMB: Will we see you racing in the UK soon?
GM: I don't think people realise how much I love racing in the UK, it's like a second home for me. I was stoked to race at Moelfre Hall this year and I'm sure we'll try and do more things next year in the UK, including a Big Air Training Camp.
Big thanks to Greg for answering our questions over this two part series, best of luck in the future!
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