South Africa has a good record at the UCI Downhill World Champs, largely as a result of Greg Minnaar’s incredible achievements over the past 26 years. But the domestic Downhill scene is maturing and a crop of young gravity talent is being nurtured. Here’s a look at the South African team and how they will fare at the 2023 UCI World Champs in Scotland this week.
By Sean Badenhorst
ELITE MEN
Greg Minnaar
It’s pretty cool that the Greatest Of All Time in men’s downhill racing is a South African. He’s won four world champs titles – 2003, 2012, 2013 and 2021 – the last coming just two years ago at the age of 39. He’s won seven World Cup titles at Fort William – almost a third of his record total of 23! The track obviously suits Minnaar, who has had some bad luck so far this year. But in this interview with us this week, he says he’s in superb form and hungry to win another world title. We reckon he just might. If not, then at least a medal.
Johann Potgieter
‘Pottie’ is a key character in the South African gravity community. His youth skills camps in the Western Cape are hugely popular; he has his own coffee business – ‘Pottie’s Coffee’ and he recently became a father of twins, which is appropriate since he’s an experienced dad-joker. On the bike, he’s won more SA Downhill titles than anyone else (seven!) and is the current SA Downhill Champion. His best World Champs finish is 29th at Pietermaritzburg in 2013. Last year, his pedal broke during qualifying at World Champs, which was a disaster that he’s hoping to put behind him this week. What can we expect from him a Fort William? He’ll most certainly qualify for the final (top 80), and is likely to make the top 50, top 40 if he has a really good race run.
“I’m back on the 27.5-inch bike and I recently won a race in Germany on it, so I think the smaller wheels is the way to go for me. But it’s hard to say at the World Champs. We’ll just have to see this week. I do plan to give it my all!”
Theo Erlangsen
Erlangsen is entertaining to watch ride and listen to speak with his almost seamless blend of sarcasm and seriousness. Besides looking stylish, he’s also fast. He has twice qualified for a World Cup semi-final this year, finishing 56th at Lenzerheide and 54th at Leogang and his best-ever World Cup finish is 23rd at Les Get in 2021. He was 38th at the 2022 World Champs. If he’s got the stamina on the long course at Fort William, he could make the top 30.
“I’m feeling phenomenal. We’ve just flown in on the private jet. Currently getting a quick massage. Track looks ridiculously sick – they’ve just done some work on it. Custom bike, custom kit. I’m out of excuses now, so, just going to have to smash it from here!”
Connor Finnis
Although relatively low on international racing experience, Finnis has real talent. His 21st place at the Val di Sole World Cup last year is evidence of this. With opportunity will come consistency no doubt. In terms of his potential at Fort William this week, it depends how well he handles the length of the course, which takes most riders between 4min30 and 5min to complete. If he’s got the endurance, we reckon a top 40 should he have a smooth race run.
“I was injured in the beginning of the season, so the first couple of rounds I wasn’t sharp. But I went to Morzine for a month and did some good bike time and found some speed – so I’m feeling pretty good. I was at Fort William earlier this year, shortly after being back from my injury. The track was super rough! They have made a lot of changes for World’s. It’s still gnarly but it’s been smoothed out a bit with some big berms and a little bit of moto style. I like it. I really like it!”
ELITE WOMEN
Frankie du Toit
Du Toit has been the most dominant South African Downhill racer this year, winning the SA Champs title as well as the SA Cup Series races that she entered. She was 30th at the 2022 World Champs in France and will be hoping to improve on that at the 2023 edition. The top 40 qualifiers make the final, which she should be able to do, especially as it’s long course and she’s a former XCO racer. We reckon a top 30 is likely in the final.
“I’m feeling good on my new bike, which has given me some added confidence for the weekend. I’m pretty strong at the moment. I have been working hard on my fitness and strength. I can’t wait to get on the track!”
Beani Thies
Thies won the 2023 SA Cup Series and was the top South African finisher at the 2022 World Champs in France in 25th place. Steeper courses seem to suit her better and she will need to dig deep, but should make the top 40 cut for the final at Fort William, where we reckon she’ll be in the top 30 in the final.
“I’m feeling good. I hear they have done a lot of work on the track. I’m excited to see the changes and how it’s running. Hopefully the weather stays stable. I’m looking forward to a good week.”
JUNIOR WOMEN
Jenna Byrnes
Byrnes won the 2023 SA Cup Series by a narrow margin over rival Danika Botha. While swapping victories throughout the series, the pair also pushed each other to higher levels of performance, which ensured they both satisfied CSA’s World Champs qualification criteria. This will be Byrnes’ first World Champs and first international race. The top 15 in qualifying will race in the final. We think she will get there – and a top 10 is a likely result.
“It’s my first race overseas. It’s a gnarly track – very long and hard on your body. But I’m feeling excited, confident and keen!”
Danika Botha
After a season-long battle with rival, Jenna Byrnes, Botha finished second the SA Cup Series, but won the national champs title in her first year of racing DH. She’s improved significantly in a short period and, like Byrnes, will be racing her first international race and first World Champs at Fort William. She should make the top 15 in qualifying and a likely top 10 place in the final.
“Jenna and I did the Junior track walk today. The track is awesome! It’s on a different level, but I’m so excited. I think this will be an amazing event that raises the bar for us.”
Both Junior men that were selected, Keagan Brand and Ross Kew, were forced to withdraw due to injury. Brand had a serious fall in Europe in May, fracturing his elbow and Kew crashed last week and broke his wrist.
“It’s a pity our two Junior men couldn’t make it, but I feel we have a lot of promising talent on this South African team. The standard of racing back home is rising and we really have got our best here. The track is challenging, but also fun and will be a true allround test,” said team manager, Justin Victor.
“Obviously Greg is a huge plus to have on the team and we’re hoping for another big result from him. But all the riders have been preparing for weeks and are in their best form, so we’re looking forward to what they can deliver. It’s particularly exciting to have two Junior women on the team as this bodes well for the future female representation in this discipline,” he added.
Schedule:
Thursday 3 August: Junior Men and Women Qualifying
Friday 4 August: Junior Men and Women Final | Elite Men and Women Qualifying
Saturday 5 August: Elite Men and Women Final
We’re still confirming channels, but SuperSport will broadcast the Elite men and women’s finals.
