Peat’s 17th career win breaks long standing record

Steve Peat claims his second consecutive World Cup Downhill victory this past weekend at the Vallnord bike part in Andorra. This win marks Peat’s 17th career win, and bests the long standing record held by
Nicolas Vouilloz.

It was Peat’s day in the fast and dry conditions. Second place Gee Atherson was just a tick off Steve’s pace (.02 seconds), but the win and the champagne would be for the Santa Cruz Syndicate pro. Fellow Santa Cruz Syndicate racer, Greg Minnaar also posted a solid podium effort with his third place win.

Congratulations go out to Mick Hannah who after taking a year off, is finding the fast way down the hill. He found his way onto the podium even though his week leading up to the finals were less than ideal. He
was sick, and also suffered a big crash in the qualifying rounds.

The women’s Four Cross finals were determined by a pileup in the second turn. Kintner and Horakova collided, which then allowed Anneke Beerten to get around for the second place position. This podium spot allows Beerten to retain her number one ranking overall.

GRAND JUNCTION, CO November 25, 2008: There are not very many relationships in the mountain bike community as long lived and storied as MRP and Steve Peat. For the past decade, MRP has been the chain guide of choice for a legend in the sport of downhill mountain bike racing.

For a sponsor, riders don’t come any better than Steve. It’s not just about podium visits, which he certainly delivers, but also personality and professionalism. Steve is a class act, and one of the most influential riders that the sport will ever see. He will always be “the people’s champion”.

And so it is with mixed feelings that we see Steve move on to pursue other sponsorship for 2009. Though Steve has been a tremendous asset to MRP over the years, we realize that as a small company, we need to spread our sponsorship dollars to help as many riders as possible. According to Tim Fry, owner of MRP, “The best ways that we can help the sport are to continue innovating and developing the highest quality products and to help riders who are coming up through the ranks. We also want to support local bike parks that make it possible for people to ride.”

We wish Steve the best on his new deal. Good luck this year Steve, we’ll still be rootin’ for ya! Cheers!

MRP will support a number of talented riders and teams for 2009. Also, MRP wants to ensure a continued focus on the next generation of riders by expanding our Grassroots sponsorship programs. If we can help you achieve your goals, look for us at www.sponsorhouse.com.

For more information about MRP, please visit their website at www.mrpbike.com

source:  Ryan Cranston

May 18, 2008
Lisbon, Portugal

The ninth annual Lisbon Downtown race was held today with racers taking to the infamous cobblestone stairways winding down the old city from the Castelo de Sao Jorge. As cats scrambled off the race rack citizens watched from their laundry filled balconies to see Steve Peat, indisputably the King of Lisbon, take his 7th consecutive win with teammate Greg Minnaar in second, just .46 behind him.

The Syndicate racers were reunited in Lisbon after racing in Maribor and having a few days off. Rennie and Minnaar spent two perfect days in Venice, Italy, while Peat enjoyed his family at home. Young Josh Bryceland was home tending to the leg injury that he suffered in Maribor, which at this time looks to be a huge hematoma on his leg.

Upon arriving into Lisbon the Syndicate squad spent a day on the beach relaxing and playing Frisbee before Saturday’s event. The downtown event takes place all on Saturday with four scheduled practice runs, a semi-final and the final. Practice for the race had its ups and downs. Things went smooth for Minnaar and Rennie, but Peaty suffered a mechanical in his first run, and dislocated his finger in his last run. Peat says, “Practice hasn’t gone that well. I had a little problem with the bike, and then a crash resulting in a dislocated finger. Luckily I put the finger back in while I was sliding on the cobbles.”

Semi Finals:

Minnaar wins the semi-final with Peat in 2nd. Filip Polc came 3rd, and local talent Roger Gonzalez was 4th followed by Emanuel Pombo in 5th. Minnaar says “My run was solid, but kind of hard because photographers step into the course and it is hard to set up for your lines. I managed to hit everything I wanted, and some sections I just rolled through really well.”

Finals:

Syndicate’s Steve Peat continues his reign of Lisbon, Minnaar finishes hot behind him in second, Filip Polc takes 3rd for the second year in a row. Minnaar jokes, “The race was good today. I think Steve was lucky. I had to fake a mistake to let the old boy win! Things went pretty good. I felt a bit of pressure from the old man. I made a little mistake on top and a costly mistake at the bottom, but that’s racing and that’s how it goes. I’m happy for Steve today, winning 7 times in a row!”

Peat says, “I’m stoked!! It’s luck! I don’t know why I get good luck, but I did. After practice and qualifier I really didn’t think I could win today. I knew everyone was fast, especially Greg. My qualifier was shocking. I really had to focus, but I’ve been in this situation before and I can deal with it. I’m really happy to take my Santa Cruz V-10 to my 7th win here!”

FINAL RESULTS:

1: STEVE PEAT (SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE) 1:40.43
2: GREG MINNAAR (SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE) 1:40.89
3: Filip Polc 1:42.76
4: Sam Hill 1:43.38
5: Cedric Gracia 1:43.86

8: Nathan Rennie (Santa Cruz Syndicate) 1:45.05

Semi Final Results:

1: Greg Minnaar (Santa Cruz Syndicate) 1:41.89
2: Steve Peat (Santa Cruz Syndicate) 1:43.74
3: Filip Polc 1:43.94
4: Roger Gonzalez 1:44.01
5: Emanuel Pombo 1:44.10

Thanks to the SYNDICATE sponsors:

Santa Cruz Bicycles
SRAM
RockShox
Truvativ
Avid
Maxxis
DT Swiss
WTB
Crankbrothers
Lizard Skins
Clif Bar
Troy Lee Designs
Chris King
Five Ten

source: Kathy Sessler