Results: Qualifying - World Cup Round 2 Cairns

 Where's Andrew Crimmins??

 injured i think

 Andrew broke his leg in South Africa, he will be back in time for World Championships.

 And blenki/eddy, chuuurrr cuzzzys

 wheres mik hannah?

 Hannah's 34th. Weird standings. There's some big names way off the pace.

 Ya Im happy for them but i wanted to see guys like danny, hill, and hannah at the top

 Eddy. Friggin. Masters

 yeah idk whats up, probably washed out hard or something

 Gotta say i'm really impressed with Connor Fearon and Sam Dale, they seem like they're really steppin up. And holy shit Rach just fucked everyone, no lube involved.

 ya rachel went in dry man what a gap

 10 Kiwis in the top 40! Party time.

 Gwin was fastest at both splits I bet he just didn't push it on that last spring for tomorrow

 neko had fastest 1st split

 Too bad the race keeps going

 Yea Kiwis!

 Am I missing something?

I know the last race in Pitermaritzberg was on a Saturday but why have they changed the race to Saturdays this season?

 So people this half of the world can watch it late night and not worry abt work the next day

 That cant be right?

 They didn't want to have that extra day between qualies and race day

 That sinking feeling when you have Connor Fearon, Sam Dale, Rachel Atherton, Mick Hannah on your fantasy team and Jack Reading...who is in England. It could've been a good weekend for me!

 Hannah is 4th fastest top speed, but 34th overall so you can bet he had a crash… he should be sitting in the hot seat for a good long time during finals

 Its a game of who can keep the two wheels between your legs on this track Apparently there is an Atherton that is good at doing just that while riding in mud that looks greasier than Taco Bell Shits

 class of her own

 As much as I like Mannon, I really want Rachel to win.

 Rachel would have qualified in the mens! Has that happened before?

 2 Seconds slower than Sam Hill. I always pull for Mitch.

Conditions are really affecting seeding. Im wondering if certain riders qualied slower to get a cleaner course, if its rutted up that has to be a factor, no?

 Guess it is safe to say she's recovered from whatever illness she had in PMB. Wow.

 Yes, Anne Caroline Chausson... used to post winning times so high that she could have beaten most men also. When she was still technically a junior winning her last junior world DH title, she essentially threw a tantrum at the awards ceremony because they hadn't allowed her to move up to the senior elite category which had cost her winning the more prestigious title (her time was several seconds ahead of winning senior woman Leigh Donovan).

 He's only run it at two global races, PMB and Cairns. I will admit though, I was surprised to see him on one here.

 He raced it at world champs.

 me too, i hope he does well though for his sake and it's turning into a bad publicity stunt. didn't get PMB either year on it.

 Maybe he's just not as good a rider as the people ahead of him, too. Always a mix of equipment and skill, never ever one or the other.

 Seems like Mitch mentally struggles on the big stages.

 I don't have anything against 29ers - I have a 6" and a SS hard tail 29er - but the Enduro isn't the right bike for this circuit. Sea Otter is one thing, but this track is too gnarly for what amounts to a stout trail bike. The frickin' thing is named after the discipline in which it belongs.

 Mitch was on a demo

 Well then it's settled. Mitch sucks on any bike! Obviously, kidding.

 So he rides the 29er during practice and then switches to the Demo for qualis? Is it true that Troy and Gwin were on Enduro protos as well? Interesting. Could it be they are sticking with the 27.5 Enduro until the 27.5 demo prototype is available...if it even is coming.

 2 Seconds slower than Sam Hill. I always pull for Mitch.

Conditions are really affecting seeding. Im wondering if certain riders qualied slower to get a cleaner course, if its rutted up that has to be a factor, no?

 I mean, he had a second qualifier at World's last year on it and crashed in the first corner along with a few other people. Tough corner mixed with bad luck there. Was riding notably fast in training/practice at PMB a couple weeks ago and got a flat during qualies. Chalk that one up as bad luck also. I don't really think its the bike so much as just a string of unluckiness. I really would have liked to have seen where he would qualify on it if it were dry.

 Your pinkbike name is EnduroNickEvo... hmmm

 Where I was standing, pritty much every top rider had one foot out sliding around the corner. They were all having a hard time.

 Ok here is the footage I was able to grab today, pure carnage. See how tomorrow pans out.

vimeo.com/92915414

 Do you know what year we're in? 2012 was a while ago!

 HD version uploaded here vimeo.com/92920570

 Brilliant footage. Thanks mofyman.

 Thank you mofyman. That footage should shut everyone up about it not being a DH track. My God! It looks like you cannot make a mistake because if you come off your bike there is no quick 'up-and-at-'em', you have to wrestle yourself back onto the track. This could be anyone's race tomorrow.

 thanks bobochobo, I was living in the past. check out the HD version, much better. And definitely, if you go off course, it was a mission to get back on, wrestling bikes and restless spectators, it was a loose all round type of afternoon. Now I don't hear any rain, but it has been raining since I left the track since 4pm. Hope it drys up a bit. Will get more footage tomorrow.

 More props for mofyman, I enjoyed that more than the redbull footage.

 Cheers cutamerc, yeh the red bull cameras were totally in the wrong spot, but may have been to not have to deal with the hecklers. Today was off tap, the balmy army were out full steam at the rock garden!!! Will load up my footage online at the Recent results page...

 Did he go over or under the tape this time?

 Hill was 11th at split 1, could easily have taken a spill.

 I think there were a lot of big names taking spills looking at those times. Anything could happen tomorrow

 It looks like Blenki absolutely slaughtered everyone on the lower part of the course. 7th at split 1, 3rd at split 2 but then he comes out on top at the finish line. Does that mean he out pedaled everyone in order to get the fastest time?

 Gwins second split time...

 True something must have happened pretty big after that second split.

 The split times generally seem quite interesting, Blenki was 5 secs behind Gwin on second split...?

 According to his instagram, Neko crashed sometime after the first split. Pretty impressive only 9 seconds off!

 If its wet he won't beat the french, the Europeans and Hill have this sorted if it stays wet.

 Luca was up at split 1 but slower at the 2nd so maybe he had a wash out or something

 I dont see it drying out much at all, in the forest and that volcanic clay just gets more slipery the more packed it gets to.

 heavyp's never ridden in humboldt

 Luca can hang in the mud. He grew up racing in it. Many people don't know this, but North Carolina is considered a rain forest. Our rainfall totals can match anywhere. I'm betting on Luca and Neko!

 I hope that dude is ok.

 He fell on second split.

 Wonder if Gwin let up? Just speculating. No clue, but it'll be an interesting race tomorrow.

 why would he? he's protected so no reason too.

 Gwin might have cruised the last section knowing he was protected but had done enough to get a decent start position

 Or playing strategy?

 What strategy? Won't help his chances in the overall.

 It will if he can go down before the rain comes.

 Good point that

 All the riders are complaining because it has stopped raining and now its sticky gloop slowing everyone. They want it to rain so it speeds up.

 Maybe he crashed? Look at his split 2 and split 3 difference, it's pretty big.

 Seems most likely.

 Yeah, very strange. Gwin and Neko were way ahead on the first two splits and then - gone. Did they get tired and coast the final third of the course?

 Interesting. I think he may have saved some power/endurance in that last super aerobic section. He may have realized that he was doing well and then just cruised into the finish. I don't think start time will make a difference on race day. Either way, it's really inspiring to see Aaron back on top after last year.

 Yup. Comebacks are always inspiring. It will be doubly interesting when Steve Smith heals up and these two rippers go at it in the second half of the WC.

Anyone know which bike Gwin and Brosnan rode in Cairns?

 Its not race day, why go all out and risk sore legs?

 They rode Enduro's but Ropelato rode a demo

 I thought Ropy rode a 29er. Is there a proto 29er Demo? Wow.

 He was riding 29er in practice but the demo for quali

 The bottom section was super slippery mud and off cambers might have had a bit of trouble.

 @Qdog. Ahhhh, I see. Thanks.

 No... Its, Eddie Masters FTW! ( You miss-typed the last 3 letters in your post. )

 si

 Been drizzling on and off all day, most of the track is a mudslide, especially the bottom. But if there's no rain overnight the top section will be nice and tacky!

 gwin-mick-blenki

 That's so weird because i think he put himself there two races in a row now and a few times last year. maybe two packs a day isn't for world cup

 I'm sure lots of people will disagree but in my opinion Danny Hart isn't very good at a World Cup level. He is too inconsistent and wild, needs to rein it in a bit. He had that brilliant run at Champery and that's about the only memorable thing he has ever done.

 He won first 2014 BDS round against Gee, Ratboy, Peaty, Beaumont, Simmons and others on the WC circuit..

 Ya and Logan bingelli and Kevin aiello have beat gwin before, I think the top riders, Danny aside apparently, conserve somewhat to save themselves for the real races

 Thats a very fair and honest opinion harryfranklin.

I watched the first round of the BDS at antur stiniog where he won. That's national level. At WC level he needs to calm it down. He seems too gun-ho and it costs him.

"Stay on your bike Danny"

 50th

 some kind of hand injury apparently

 why?

 Just seems like every WC DH thread there is someone asking where Steve Smith is, or what his time was. A nice PSA would clear that up. Regardless, can't wait to have him back.

 All women qualify (up to 80), they just don't have all the results up yet.

 It's more for seeding really.

 They could be updating it as it happens.

 I knew all women qualify, but I wasn't sure about the listing. Makes sense. Thanks!

 Yep - just updating here on the fly Amanda!

 Sorry, top 20 qualify, not 80, I got that mixed up there.

 Thanks, guys! I was worried for a second that the UCI had suddenly found another crazy rule hidden somewhere in their books. Ha ha. Thanks for the confirmation, Rachelle!

 live.redbull.tv/events/347/uci-mtb-world-cup-2014-cairns-dhi

9:15pm PDT - 21hrs from now.

 47 seconds...

 Am I wrong? I never was great at math.

 How far back would u be tough guy? Why so much hate for wonen?

 She is also faster then half the junior field and would have qualified in the mens field. How many of us can say the same?

 Relax. Tough guy. Wonen??? Is that like a lesbian deity?

 She's still faster than you and I!! Lol

 It's all in the balls. No balls. Slow.

 Wut a tool bag u r. I guess we should just compare men and women at everything...boxing, weight lifting. We should get rid of weight classes too because why shouldn't a 140lb guy not be as good in the cage as a 180lb. The internets full of big talkers like Jimmie and RobAussie. Post up your top races boys and we'll see how you compare...I'm pretty sure I know of a handful of Whistler local gals that would smoke you.

 Speak for yourself. Driver eight.

 You're ignorant AND a fool to speak so negatively about women who are chasing their dreams and changing the game.

First of all, women have a lower muscle mass to body weight ratio than men because of physiological makeup (women have higher body fat ratios to support reproduction and other crucial functions), as well as a difference in overall weight, height and sheer strength to size ratio. If Rachel were the size and strength of her brothers, there's a good chance she'd actually be faster. Also: the rational instinct of the female brain prioritizes self-preservation and survival over adrenaline and heroics unless their young are in danger.

So while you think we may 'suck at DH', at least we don't suck at life. Bigger off, you a*shole.

 No, I said that YOU suck at life... It's what is called an 'inference'. And guess what? I suck at a lot of things compared to men... Like, peeing standing up, smashing beer cans on my head, etc.

As I pointed out in my above comment that I'll re-explain for the denser members of this forum, men and women shouldn't be compared in DH -- it's physiologically impossible to get the same exact results without the same exact build, hence my size/brain/body fat statement above. My POINT was that comparatively, for Rach's size and weight and muscle density, she is fast, as are a LOT of other women. It doesn't mean she sucks... It means she has a different physiological build than the men do.

You pointing out that women suck at DH doesn't have a place in a bike forum for ALL. Because you know what? Compared to you, she's a rocket. Lots of women are, I'll bet.

It's not about comparison -- it's about appreciating both genders of riders for what makes them DIFFERENT. Rach has a grace and a speed that's truly interesting to watch -- she doesn't muscle through shit and instead, has a ton of technical talent. Just like any rider comparison, she'll have strengths and weaknesses... Regardless of gender.

Stop making this about being a man or your manhood, because if you really were a man, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

 . Non of you are changing the game. Chasing the dream I can get behind. ACC changed the game and then she left caused there was zero competition.

 You arrogant and a fool! Kinda feels like Mr. T is letting us have it.

 Some people here are small minded. These women who compete on the same DH tracks with men are amazing! Sure our opinions are to our own, but these women are Pros for a reason and living their dreams. How bout you?

 Dude don't get sucked in. It's fuckin nonsense. Her rant is just empty and argumentative. Assumes we're all slower than the ladies and all Neanderthal.

 Lindsey Vonn would also be a full minute after the best jr men in a 5 minute dh ski race and she is still a star.

 Still one of the few sports where it's awesome to watch regardless of gender. In many respects, it's all the more impressive seeing the girls hit the stuff that so many men struggle with.

Watch this, and tell me you're not impressed: http://vimeo.com/45207348

Some shocking chauvinism in this thread. Bravo 'ambatt' for having the courage to speak up.

 Some jimmies have gotten mighty rustled here. Is is that time of the month? Feelings copped.

 I don't fully understand why you posted a vid of her eating shit from casing a jump many others were overshooting. But I do whole heartedly agree, best sport to watch regardless of gender.

 Amanda, the differences between women and men in terms of DH performance is not just down to strength: it is also due to the differences in how their brains are wired. Women's brains do not judge speed nor track moving targets as well as men's. This set of abilities is a major asset when racing as fast as you can down a hill while avoiding stationary objects and remembering just how fast you can take a corner.

Millions of years of evolution has made men good at hitting moving objects, being violent, ignoring pain, and having hyper-focus - this is best for the survival of the tribe. Women are good at multi-tasking, communication, nurturing, and have a higher tolerance of pain and greater endurance (for child birth) - this is best for the survival of the tribe.

 Bingo. We'll said.