US Gravity Nationals 2012 - DH Qualifying
Men Top 5
1. Aaron Gwin 2:11.75
2. Luke Strobel 2:17.20 +5.45
3. Neko Mulally 2:20.90 +9.15
4. Ethan Quehl 2:21.75 +10.00
5. Graeme Pitts 2:22.14 +10.39
Women Top 5
1. Jackie Harmony 2:39.80
2. Melissa Buhl 2:52.34 +12.54
3. Jaime Rees 2:52.51 +12.71
4. Lauren Daney 2:53.99 +14.19
5. Katie Holden 2:59.80 +20.00
Complete Results at bottom
With the weather forecast for tomorrow being more of the same, rain at night and a mix of sun and cloud during the day, track conditions shouldn't change much for tomorrow's finals. But you never know, no one would be surprised if it poured rain all day tomorrow either...
DH Qualifying Results
1. Aaron Gwin 2:11.75
2. Luke Strobel 2:17.20 +5.45
3. Neko Mulally 2:20.90 +9.15
4. Ethan Quehl 2:21.75 +10.00
5. Graeme Pitts 2:22.14 +10.39
Women Top 5
1. Jackie Harmony 2:39.80
2. Melissa Buhl 2:52.34 +12.54
3. Jaime Rees 2:52.51 +12.71
4. Lauren Daney 2:53.99 +14.19
5. Katie Holden 2:59.80 +20.00
Complete Results at bottom
 |
 With the track a mix of rocks, roots, soft dirt, and slightly wet grass, cut spikes seemed to be the order of the day here today. |
 |
| Jason Memmelaar, 17th today in qualifying. |
 |
| Austin Warren is a threat to look out for at any race now, unfortunately today was not his day. He got a little off balance on the hip and landed on his head, he still qualified, but in 53rd spot, definitely not where he wanted to be. |
 |
| Eliot Jackson was looking good in practice this morning, but he crashed in the rocks on his qualifying run. Not a big deal, with only 62 riders starting and 60 qualifying it wasn't too hard to make the cut. 22 seconds back, and 26th today. |
 |
| Lauren Daney wasn't really looking fast or aggressive in practice this week, but she still managed to pull off a fourth place qualifying time when it counted. |
 |
| Graeme Pitts qualified fifth here today. |
 |
| Sam Skidmore qualified 4th in Junior today, looks like he was skidding less and getting sideways more. Big whip over the finish jump as Mitch Ropelato looks on from above. Mitch was excited to finally get his new Specialized Demo this week, but unfortunately he crashed on his first practice run, and while not seriously injured he won't be racing here this weekend. |
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| The Junior riders had seeding runs only today, everyone qualified. Jason Schroeder was third. |
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| Cody Kelley has been traveling and racing with the Specialized team of Curtis Keene and Brad Benedict. Second fastest qualifying time in Junior today, and 4th in the Dual Slalom. Keep your eye on this kid in the future. |
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| Melissa Buhl won the Slalom today, and had the second fastest time in DH Qualifying after Jackie Harmony. |
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| Art Babcock of One Ghost Industries has been riding really fast all week, so no surprise that he managed the qualify ninth. |
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| Ethan Quehl is not a name that's familiar to most, but it may be a little more so after this weekend. Ethan qualified 4th in Pro Men. |
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| No real surprise that Luke Strobel was fast today, he's been looking fast in practice since he got here. Second fastest time of the day behind Aaron Gwin. |
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| Gwin, what more do we need to say? He had the fastest time today, 5.45 up on Strobel. And after his crash here last year he's definitely hoping to take the title tomorrow... |
 |
 |
| While Aaron had the fastest time today, the best ride of the day has to go to Neko Mulally. Neko hit a rock at the very top of the course, breaking his chainguide and shearing 4 teeth off his chainring. The impact also broke his chain, but instead of flying off into the grass, it wrapped itself up in his wheel and flapped around behind him all the way down the mountain. He still managed to qualify third... |
With the weather forecast for tomorrow being more of the same, rain at night and a mix of sun and cloud during the day, track conditions shouldn't change much for tomorrow's finals. But you never know, no one would be surprised if it poured rain all day tomorrow either...
DH Qualifying Results
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32 Comments
- 53 0
KCToregon
FL (Jul 21, 2012 at 21:54)
Qualifying third with no chain... damn that is impressive.
- 13 1
skierdud89
(Jul 21, 2012 at 23:24)
well no chain is one thing but having it wrapped around your wheel the whole way down... just insane
- 5 0
KennyKillsIt
(Jul 22, 2012 at 3:13)
madd props
- 3 0
Lone-Wolf
(Jul 22, 2012 at 5:59)
Yeah I'd love to see that on video. Or at some picture with a better view on this no-chain trick at least 
- 1 0
SEA5ONS
FL (Jul 22, 2012 at 18:37)
Yeah Ethan!! I dont know you man but shred hard!
- 9 0
C-Zangas
(Jul 21, 2012 at 21:21)
Ethan Quehl is a shredder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- 4 0
Dlongb13
(Jul 21, 2012 at 21:57)
Go Ethan!
- 1 0
moutnbiker
FL (Jul 22, 2012 at 11:48)
Way to go Ethan, best of luck to ya in finals!!
- 7 0
GingaCal
(Jul 21, 2012 at 22:08)
Lets go Neko!
- 1 0
guywhowantsabike
(Jul 21, 2012 at 22:20)
neko pulled off something whacky
- 4 0
Dlongb13
(Jul 21, 2012 at 21:57)
You juniors better watch out for Sam Skidmore!
- 2 0
dadsupportcrew
(Jul 22, 2012 at 5:53)
Nice whip Sam! Representing VA!
- 1 0
dirtjumper787
(Jul 22, 2012 at 8:09)
Representing Harrisonburg va!!
- 5 2
takeiteasyridehard
(Jul 21, 2012 at 22:20)
So, is this the appropriate section to say 'Murica!
- 4 2
decker-b-nug
(Jul 22, 2012 at 0:35)
It's always time to say merica!
- 1 0
mcarswell
(Jul 22, 2012 at 7:32)
neko kills it!Good race... sucks to a get dns for being 60 seconds late to the start gate and traveling across the country.. 
- 1 0
neimbc
(Jul 22, 2012 at 16:20)
62 guys ran for 60 spots - two guys don't make the cut - c'mon, let them all ride!
- 1 0
matguy87
(Jul 21, 2012 at 23:47)
Dam! 4 people from SLO (kinda)... Kickass!
- 1 0
jengah
(Jul 22, 2012 at 8:12)
Four? (Ben, Nate, Kyle and ?????)
- 1 0
Iamwarthog
FL (Jul 22, 2012 at 8:30)
Leland O'Conner.
- 1 0
bfreemedia
(Jul 22, 2012 at 10:02)
kyle crashed twice in his qualifying run too.
- 1 0
ktmman143
(Jul 21, 2012 at 22:11)
Hell yeah Ethan's my boy. Get it son
- 1 0
bbk7
(Jul 21, 2012 at 23:06)
so he lost 10s off gwin coz he couldn't pedal. thats not bad at all
- 1 0
MindPatterns
FL (Jul 22, 2012 at 3:35)
any live broadcast of this? web or tv?
- 1 0
BBiker54
(Jul 22, 2012 at 9:08)
he is on to something leting gravity take complete control!
- 1 0
malathion
(Jul 22, 2012 at 11:46)
rocks roots dirt and wet grass? welcome to NC
- 1 0
a207Freerider
(Jul 22, 2012 at 12:57)
Why was Lauren wearing mascara while racing?
- 1 0
deadatbirth
(Jul 22, 2012 at 14:35)
why not?
- 1 0
sssmith
(Jul 22, 2012 at 13:54)
Is it ok to say nice job Gwin? No don't answer that.
- 1 0
groghunter
(Jul 22, 2012 at 11:04)
GO JACKIE GO!
- 1 0
shapemedia
FL (Jul 22, 2012 at 11:17)
mmm daney
- 1 2
freeskiiniskool
(Jul 21, 2012 at 21:24)
GOOD JOB PITTS!!!!!!
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