In een spannende serie races wint Greg Minnaar de Kona Top to Bottom Eliminator vlak voor Fabian Barel. Kamil Tatarkovic spring met een suicide no hander over de finish sprong naar een derde plaats. Winnaar van vorig jaar, Matti Leihikoinen wordt vierde door een crash in het begin van de race. In het persbericht van de organisatie lees je meer.

KONA Top to Bottom Eliminator, Bikepark Leogang, June 10th 2006
MINAAR takes the big WIN! 

For a few years the KONA Top to Bottom Eliminator in Leogang, Austria is one of the top DH races in Europe. On Saturday June 10th the finals of the Eliminator Downhill were on. One week after his 2nd place at the World Cup in Willingen Greg Minnaar had a big win at the Out of Bounds against KONA’s leading World Champ Fabien Barel.

More than 50 riders from all over Europe didn’t wanna miss to compete with stars like Fabien Barel (FRA), Matti Lehikonen, (FIN) Greg Minnaar (SA), Michal Marosi and Kamil Tartakovic (both CZE). In Friday’s qualifying Fabien Barel had the fastest run. Unfortunately KONA clump rider Carlin Dunne (USA) had a bad crash during practise on the last straight of the course. He broke his nose and had to go to hospital for a few days. We wish Carlin all the best and a fast recovery.

After 90 minutes race action the following riders made it to the finals: The KONA/ Les Gets Factory rider Fabien Barel and Kamil Tartakovic as well as the HONDA riders Greg Minnaar and Matti Lehikonen. Right after the start Greg Minnaar took the lead in front of the French World Champ Barel, Matti Lehikonen and Kamil Tartakovic. In one of the first berms the Finnish Honda-Rider Lehikonen tried to pass Barel. While Matti almost passed the Frenchman, he went of the course and crashed. By the time Lehikonen got back on his bike, Minnaar and the KONA riders were far away. Greg Minnaar stayed in first in front of Fabien and Kamil. In the same order they passed the finish line. The top 4 riders shared 7,500 Euros.

In Elite women the KONA rider Tracey Moseley, who is currently leading the World Cup won the Top to Bottom race in the women’s class. The awards were right at the mad DeBuam Party which had over 2,500 people. The racers enjoyed the party while the dirt jumpers had to take it easy and prepare for the BRAUN 26TRIX finals. Stay tuned for news of the dirt jump contest.