Park City, UT
Neither the deepest fields in Jeep history, nor intermittent rain showers could keep South Africa’s Greg Minnaar and Chandler, AZ’s Melissa Buhl from losing a heat over the weekend.
Minnaar, with two World Cup Championships and a World Championship under his belt by age 26, began the day with a win over Open Qualifier Cameron McCaul of Santa Cruz, CA. Waiting in the second round was Great Britain’s Steve Peat, himself a three-time World Cup Champion. Minnaar swept past his Santa Cruz Syndicate teammate, good friend and rival to reach the semifinals against Winter Park, CO’s Petr Hanak. Even Petr couldn’t stop Greg from winning in straight races to reach the finals unscathed. In the Championship Heat, Minnaar faced off against World Champion and three-time World Cup titlist Eric Carter of Temecula, CA. Eric’s trip to the main start had been earned through wins against Open Qualifiers Christopher Herndon of Etowah, NC and Amiel Cavalier of Auburn, CA, as well as U.S. National Champion Cody Warren. The competition today was so stiff that even Cody, who had captured the title at the first race of the season in New Jersey, was eliminated! In the finals, Minnaar outran the veteran Carter in both runs to earn the title. Hanak topped Warren in the consolation heat to earn the final podium spot.
“This year I have had great success in dual slalom competitions, having already won two of them,” said Minnaar. “I really wanted to win this one, and I pushed hard. When you add up the three World Cup wins and the overall World Cup Championship, plus three dual slalom wins, this has been a solid year for sure.”
World Champion Melissa Buhl’s day was no less spectacular, featuring wins over Open Qualifiers Lisa Myklak and Tammy Donahugh, both of Boulder, CO, to earn a spot in the finals. There she would face off against Jeep mountain bike racing veteran and three-time World Cup winner Fionn Griffiths of Great Britain. Griffiths reached the championship heat following a defeat of Open Qualifier Allie Burch of Patterson, NY and a shocking upset of U.S. National Champion Kathy Pruitt, winner of the first leg of the series. In the finals, Buhl was just too powerful, winning both races against Griffiths to win her long-awaited first Jeep title. Pruitt earned third place with a win over Donahugh in the consolation heat.
“I came into Utah feeling really confident, focusing on my own race and making all of the jumps I needed to make,” said Buhl. “The weather definitely impacted everyone’s plan, and I had to race just a bit more conservative at times than I normally would. But I’m thrilled to get out of here with the win, and I couldn’t be happier with how the season went. I’m very excited about the final race in San Luis Obispo, where I like the dirt and racecourse and have a chance to win the season championship.”
The prize purse for Jeep 48STRAIGHT tops $100,000 with additional bonuses from sponsor Paul Mitchell. The winners at The Canyons pocketed $5,000, with cash earnings for each finisher through 16th place. Points are awarded during each race, and the overall series champion will receive the keys to a new Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Each event of the Jeep 48STRAIGHT summer season will receive national broadcast coverage on CBS Sports, representing the most visibility of any mountain biking event in the sport. The event at The Canyons will air on CBS Sports on October 12.
Jeep 48STRAIGHT will now head to San Luis Obispo, CA on October 24-25 for the season’s grand finale.
JEEP 48STRAIGHT THE CANYONS RESULTS
1. Greg Minnaar (RSA)…Santa Cruz Syn
2. Eric Carter…Mongoose
3. Petr Hanak…Totally Wired
4. Cody Warren…Specialized-Redline
5. Chris VanDine…Cannondale
6. Amiel Cavalier…Giant
7. Jared Rando (Aus)…Giant
8. Steve Peat (GBr)…Santa Cruz Syn
9. Mike Haderer…Fox Shox-Yeti
10. Kyle Strait…Specialized
WOMEN
1. Melissa Buhl…KHS
2. Fionn Griffiths (Gbr)…Norco
3. Kathy Pruitt…Jamis
4. Tammy Donahugh…Crank Bros.
5. Leslie Slagle…Aggro Bikes
6. Allie Burch…Velo Bella
7. Jackie Baker…WTB-Giant-Fox
8. Lisa Myklak…Spyder-Black Mkt-Industry Nine