THE LONG GAME

Just how does Greg Minnaar stay fast, focused and injury free (touch wood!), even into his 40s? Coach Alan Milway lets us peek behind the GOAT’s training curtain

It can be frustrating to hear yourself utter the words ‘I used to be able to…’ and to tell anyone who will listen what you could do – and would still do – but for work commitments, family, age….

Re-living a fast and reckless youth on your mountain bike is not the aim here. Rather, the goal is to ensure you can enjoy more years of quality riding, fitness and even skills development when you creep over 40, 50, 60 years of age and beyond.

Greg Minnaar needs no introduction; the four times world champion has been racing downhill World Cups for over 20 years. With Worlds titles spanning from 2003-2021, he has had a huge career at the very top of sport – and enters 2023 as a 41-year-old still aiming for the podium. This quite remarkable achievement shows that high performance in such a high-risk and physical discipline can be achieved. Greg is undoubtedly an anomaly, but is there anything we can take from his approach to help us mere mortals to stay fit, keep riding well and enjoying what we do for so many years?

WHO IS ALAN MILWAY?

Coach to Greg Minnaar, and a host of other pro athletes and amateurs besides, Alan knows what it takes to become a world champion on two wheels. An expert on strength training and fitness, Alan's adept at applying a science-based approach to discover really works to make us faster.

MAKE IT ROUTINE