July 10, 2006 (Deer Valley, UT) – Gravity riders battled the draining effects of altitude and vision hindering clouds of dust on the fourth NORBA downhill of the series yesterday at Deer Valley, Utah.

The start list looked almost like a World Cup roster, with top international racers ready to tackle the course. South Africa’s Greg Minnaar (RSA, G-Cross-Honda) took the win in the men’s race, flying down the course in 2.49.60, followed closely by Australia’s Sam Hill (AUS, Monster Energy-Iron Horse-Mad Katz). Fellow Aussie Bryn Atkinson (AUS, G.T.) cruised into third spot. Canuck Andrew Mitchell (CAN, Team Cove Bikes) pulled off a 13th-place performance and Connor Macleod (CAN, Team Cove Bikes) raced into 30th spot.

In the women’s event, 17-year-old Australian phenom Tracey Hannah (AUS, Edge Cycles) careened down the hill to finish over six seconds ahead of American DH veteran April Lawyer (USA, Maxxis). France’s Sabrina Jonnier (FRA, Monster Energy-Iron Horse-Mad Katz) grabbed the last medal with a time over 10 seconds slower than the leader’s . Katrina Strand (CAN, Scott-Marzocchi) was the only Canadian entrant finishing in 11th.

Pro Women
1. Tracey Hannah (AUS, Edge Cycles) 3.32.43
2. April Lawyer (USA, Maxxis) 3.39.67
3. Sabrina Jonnier (FRA, Monster Energy-Iron Horse-Mad Katz) 3.45.02
4. Amelia Colasurdo (USA, Bear Naked-Cannondale) 3.45.77
5. Lisa Myklak (USA, Morewood Bikes) 3.46.06
6. Tenille Smith (USA) 3.57.87
7. Jackie Harmony (USA, Brodie-Cactus) 4.02.08
8. Katie Holden (USA, Sombrio-Bombshell-Deity) 4.03.21
9. Anka Martin (RSA, Honda-Ironhorse) 4.06.15
10. Darian Harvey (USA) 4.06.46

11. Katrina Strand (CAN, Scott-Marzocchi) 4.09.96

Pro Men
1. Greg Minnaar (RSA, G-Cross-Honda) 2.49.60
2. Sam Hill (AUS, Monster Energy-Iron Horse-Mad Katz) 2.50.98
3. Bryn Atkinson (AUS, G.T.) 2.53.28
4. Matti Lehikoinen (FIN, G-Cross-Honda) 2.54.36
5. Jared Graves (AUS, Yeti-Fox) 2.54.86
6. Cody Warren (USA, C-Dub Racing) 2.56.89
7. Jared Rando (AUS, Giant-Michelin) 2.57.91
8. Duncan Riffle (USA, Honda-Iron Horse) 2.58.17
9. Amiel Cavalier (AUS, Giant-SRAM-Rock Shox-Smith) 2.58.38
10. Luke Strobel (USA, Downhill Zone-Turner-Fox Racing Shox) 2.58.61

13. Andrew Mitchell (CAN, Team Cove Bikes) 3.01.53
30. Connor Macleod (CAN, Team Cove Bikes) 3.15.83