<b>One of the most upsetting pieces of news today was that Steve Peat could not complete his qualifier due to a torn hamstring. He's a protected rider, so he may race tomorrow if he follows our preventative stretching example at the end of the slideshow...</b> -Vanja Kodermac
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<b>It's not just Marc Beaumont's riding that is coming together. He is confident and prepared in every way. There is so much more to racing than just riding. </b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Gee Atherton, during qualifiers, sliding out in the same place as Gwin's FIRST crash. Race pace is the only way to test the limits of the dry corners and tire traction. You don't see this in practice.</b> -Stephen Hughes
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<b>You can watch Gwin's qualifier crashes in the Dirt TV video dropping any second.</b> -sParkin' one up
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<b>Danny Hart has had to adapt his jumping technique because of the size of his balls. Here he keeps the weight over the front end for safety.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Rachel in the gondola moments before her run. Although comfortably ahead by a nearly 10 seconds, how far will she have to push it to keep Ragot, who flatted today, at bay?</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Emmeline Ragot got a flat in the quali's and finished 33rd. Before her bad luck, she was second fastest at the first split. Tomorrow will be insane!</b> -Vanja Kodermac
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<b>It was sunny in Scotland today for qualifiers and Brendan F believes in making hay while the sun shines.</b> -Sven Martin (DUDE!!!!!)
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<b>Like we said, Fort William is beginning to fill up. Check back for the ender proof tomorrow, as they have pre-sold 30,000 tickets already!!!</b> -Boris Beyer
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<b>HUGE crowds for the Pro 4X tour race with insane amounts of cheering. Michal Prokop continues his 4X destruction with a win, regardless of sanctioning body.</b> -Vanja Kodermac
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Pro 4X Tour Finals.
<b>Stevie Smith continues his consistent riding with a 4th place today.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>The Fresh Prince of Big Air, Greg Minnaar showing us just how big the arch jump into the finish arena really is.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>It's like Christmas every race weekend in Ft William</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Brook MacDonald, 10th place qualifier and ready to hold it wide open on race day.</b> -Vanja Kodermac
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<b>Joseph Smith, 15th qualifier, just a fraction of a second behind his team mate, Matt Simmonds.</b> -Vanja Kodermac
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<b>Myriam Nicole, 2nd place qualifier in the women's class, but still 9.96-seconds back.</b> -Vanja Kodermac
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<b>Dan Atherton did awesome today, qualifying in 33rd. A good, old-fashioned table, typical Affy style, not jumping on the whip bandwagon.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>This is what we go through to bring you these shots you see everyday. Damn midges. The Hof wishing he was at the beach shooting bikinis instead. <i>(HOLY S#&T!!!)</i></b> -Sven Martin
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<b>George Gannicott, local from Selkirk, Scotland with an incredible 40th place qualifier. He was the 199th starter and 2nd place junior today.</b> -Vanja Kodermac
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<b>Textbook style here from the young, hungry Kiwi, Sam Blenkinsop. 5th Place today in downhill qualifying.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>This jump is blind and you can only truly gap it if you hit the woods above it perfectly. Beaumont had no difficulties today, obviously.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Jason Marsh (Greg Minnaar's Mechanic) checks out Aaron Gwin's tire choice which was a last minute change to 2.7 Minions before his race run. In the end the switch may have proved detrimental to Gwin.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>It's crazy to think that last weekend, 7 seconds was the gap between 1st and 2nd in quali's. today, 7 seconds back puts you into 14th. 7.154 to be exact. Chain Reaction's Matt Simmonds</b> -Vanja Kodermac
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<b>Like the sign says you have to pin it to win it. In addition to an incredible grasp of the obvious, Fort William fans have charisma and character. Race day will be bonkers.</b> -Sven Martin
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<b>Josh Bryceland with some cracking style. It's going to be tempting to boost in the race tomorrow with all those cheering fans, but every hundredth counts...what will they do?</b> -Boris Beyer
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<b>Can Sam HIll surprise everyone and storm home tomorrow repeating his win in 2007?</b> -Boris Beyer
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<b>Richie Rude rode out of his skin today after a crash up top. From 155th he rode his way back into 80th place, squeaking into the finals. Beer and t-shirt weather was welcomed by all.</b> -Boris Beyer
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<b>Aaron Gwin, 29th qualifier today with no help from 2 crashes. While he may beg to differ, It's good to see that Gwin is human, letting his frustration show in the pits after his run. Watch out tomorrow, he will be on a mission.</b> -Vanja Kodermac
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Peaty, just follow this example and you'll be ready for your race run!
<b>It was red, white and blue in the top three today...not USA, but Great Britain. Get your ear plugs because the fans are going to go especially wild for the last 15 to 20 minutes of racing tomorrow.</b> -Sven Martin
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Description
The 2012 UCI World Cup is full of surprises as odds on favorite, Aaron Gwin, crashes during qualifying at Fort William, leaving him in 29th. Marc Beaumont and Rachel Atherton take the home team to the top with 1st place qualifiers and confidence for race day.
View replies to: Unpredictable: 2012 Fort William Downhill Qualifying Action
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