Peaty King, Once Again, to make it seven in a row at Lisbon Downtown, Minnaar 2nd!!!

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Date Published: 18/05/2008

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

Kathy Sessler
Santa Cruz Syndicate
Team Manager

www.santacruzmtb.com

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