03.18.12 - STEVE SMITH FIFTH IN DOWNHILL AT UCI WORLD CUP IN SOUTH AFRICA

Smith is Canada’s lone downhiller at the opening UCI World Cup race

(Pietermaritzburg, RSA – March 18, 2012) The 2012 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in South Africa continued today featuring the downhill races, and Steve Smith of Cassidy, British Columbia finished in fifth position to start the 2012 season.

Smith stopped the clock at 4:02.364, showing a deficit of 4.384 seconds over the winning time.

Greg Minnarr of the Republic of South Africa was the fastest of the day, posting a time of 3:57.980, on top of the podium in front of his home crowd.

Tracey Hannah of Australia won the women’s race posting a time of 4:33.806. No Canadian woman competed at this event.

RESULTS – UCI WORLD CUP – MOUNTAIN BIKE – WOMEN ELITE, DOWNHILL
1. HANNAH Tracey (AUS) HUTCHINSON UNITED RIDE 4:33.806
2. CARPENTER Manon (GBR) MADISON SARACEN DOWNHILL TEAM +0.949
3. RAGOT Emmeline (FRA) MS MONDRAKER TEAM +2.810

RESULTS – UCI WORLD CUP – MOUNTAIN BIKE – MEN ELITE, DOWNHILL
1. MINNAAR Greg (RSA) SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE 3:57.980
2. GWIN Aaron (USA) TREK WORLD RACING +0.632
3. HANNAH Michael (AUS) HUTCHINSON UNITED RIDE +0.994
4. ATHERTON Gee (GBR) GT FACTORY RACING +1.303
5. SMITH Steve (CAN) DEVINCI GLOBAL RACING +4.384

Full results from the World Cup races in South Africa can be found here:
http://www.uci.ch/templates/BUILTIN-NOFRAMES/Template1/layout.asp?MenuId=MTYzODg&LangId=1