June 24, 2006 – After qualifying fifth in the semi-final World Cup Men’s downhill yesterday, Chris Kovarik (AUS, MS-Intense) gave it his all when it really counted on his final run of the 3.2-kilometre route. He dealt in tenths of a second when he edged out South Africa’s shooting star, Greg Minnaar (RSA, G-Cross-Honda), for the win.

Kovarik powered out a time of 4:44.20, just three-tenths of a second quicker than Minnaar’s 4:44.52. Sam Hill (AUS, Monster-Iron Horse-Mad Katz) cranked out a third-place time. Steve Peat (GBR, Santa Cruz Syndicate), who finished fifth in yesterday’s final, continues to lead the series, followed by Minnaar in second spot and Hill in third.

Canada’s Andrew Mitchell (CAN, Team Cove Bikes) pulled off an impressive 26th spot out of the 80 finalists. He is the highest ranked Canadian in the overall standings in 55th position. Luke Kitzanuk (CAN, Giant) finished 37th and Dominick Menard (CAN, Devinci-Daredevil) was 44th.

Results

Men

1. Chris Kovarik (Aus) Ms-Intense Factory-Racing 4:44:20
2. Greg Minnaar (RSA) G-Cross-Honda 4:44:52
3. Sam Hill 4:45:44
4. Marc Beaumont (GBr) Team Mbuk Santacruz 4:45.84
5. Steve Peat (GBr) Santa Cruz Syndicate 4:46.86
6. Matti Lehikoinen (Fin) Team G-Cross Honda 4:47.59
7. Cédric Gracia (Fra) Commencal 4:49.83
8. Nathan Rennie (Aus) 4:50.73
9. Gee Atherton (GBr) Team Animal / Giant 4:52.38
10. Julien Camellini (Fra) 4:53.13

26. Andrew Mitchell (Can) Team Cove Bikes 5:02:02
37. Luke Kitzanuk (Can) Giant 5:05:87
44. Dominique Menard (Can) 5:09:37
58. Jamie Biluk (Can) 5:17:12
62. Hans Lambert (Can) 5:17:48
74. Tyler Morland (Can) Team Cove Bikes 5:36:48
76. Nick Dignard (Can) 6:12:66
DNF Jonathan Allard (Can)

World Cup Standings after Round 4

1. Steve Peat (GBr) Santa Cruz Syndicate 698 pts
2. Greg Minnaar (RSA) Team G-Cross Honda 658
3. Samuel Hill (Aus) 579
4. Nathan Rennie (Aus) Santa Cruz Syndicate 546
5. Gee Atherton (GBr) Team Animal / Giant 508
6. Cédric Gracia (Fra) Commencal 503
7. Chris Kovarik (Aus) Ms-Intense Factory-Racing 485
8. Marc Beaumont (GBr) Team Mbuk Santacruz 465
9. Michael Hannah (Aus) Cannondale/The Cut 438
10. Matti Lehikoinen (Fin) Team G-Cross Honda 342
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55. Andrew Mitchell (Can) 25
66. Luke Kitzanuk (Can) 14
78. Dominick Menard (Can) 7