Nobles and Kintner earn dual slalom national titles

BMX riders showed their stuff on the dual slalom course on Saturday, with Barry Nobles (Airborne Bicycles) and Jill Kintner (Red Bull/Transition Racing) topping the men's and women's pro fields at the 2013 USA Cycling Gravity Mountain Bike National Championships. In addition, six other Stars-and-Stripes jerseys were awarded in amateur categories in dual slalom.

Nobles entered today's competition as the highest seeded pro male rider, followed by fellow BMX pro Mike Day at number two, earning both a first-round bye. In the semi-final, Nobles squared off against Walker Shaw (Specialized Gravity USA), who earlier overcame his brother, Luca Shaw (Specialized Gravity USA), in the quarterfinals.

Nobles advanced to the finals to face Cody Johnson. Johnson, who was the 14th seed after crashing hard in qualifying yesterday, outraced Day in their semi-final. Day crashed in the second heat of the semi and was unable to ride in the consolation heats, meaning Shaw took third.

"I had a good split in the first [heat]. I almost got the full differential," said Nobles. "I think I started pacing myself a little too much [in the second run]. I knew as long as I could stay close to Cody - he's an awesome rider - so as long as I could finish behind him I would make it. It played out in my favor." Nobles was able to finish close enough in the second heat to claim his first mountain bike Stars-and-Stripes jersey.

Kintner squared off against Christen Boyer in a two-rider pro women's race. The 2008 Olympic bronze medalist in BMX got off to a fast start, beating Boyer by the maximum differential in the first heat. Kintner won the second heat to solidify her claim to the top step of the podium.

In the juniors men's 14 & under race, Brad Stover advanced through the four rounds to earn the win. Warren Kniss overcame higher seeded riders in each of the three rounds of the juniors men's 15-18 category 1 race to take the gold medal.

Downhill finals on Sunday

The 2013 Gravity MTB Nationals conclude Sunday at the Angel Fire Resort in New Mexico with the downhill competitions. Qualifying runs for three categories were held today. Defending national champion Aaron Gwin (Specialized Racing DH) posted the fastest time of the day and will be the final starter in the pro men's field. Kintner had the top time in the pro women's field and Jay Fesperman (Yeti Cycles) will be the one to beat in the junior men's 17-18 race.

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