Teaching team rider: After dominating 4X qualifying, Bikeskills instructor and Team Yeti rider Rich Houseman was the odds-on favorite.

 

Da winner: But the very next day it was Houseman's teammate Ross Milan who took all the glory. Here Ross celebrates with his crew.

 

Defending Champ: After a string of poor starts Norba #1 Eric Carter just missed making the final. EC took the consi, giving him 5th for the day.

 

The Final: Ross Milan leading 2nd place finisher Erik Nelson in the main event. Ross is looking to improve on last year's 4th place Norba standing.

 

KHS & GBr: Dale Holmes leads Ross Milan in semifinal action. Holmes built up for the Norba opener by sweeping the final two Southridge Winter Series 4X's.

 

More semi action: Erik Nelson and Peter Hanak on their way to the final after eliminating The Champ Eric Carter and a cartwheeling Cole Bangert.

 

Back for more: KHS rider Melissa Buhl started her run on the 2008 Norba Series exactly where she left off last year--as the dominant women gated rider.

 

Rich Houseman might have been the fastest rider during qualifying the day before, but it was Yeti teammate Ross Milan who took the victory today. As has always been the case at Fontana, the Southridge 4X course served up some exciting racing and a few surprises. Houseman, while in a transfer spot in Round 1, slid out just before the finish line; thus eliminating him from any chance of a win today. Houseman's brother-in-law and U.S. Champ Eric Carter made some impressive passes in the qualifying rounds, but just missed making the final.

 

Lining up for the final, Dale Holmes looked to be the man to beat. But as he put it later, "I fell asleep at the gate." Dale clawed off the line for 3rd as Ross Milan left with the win.

 

NORBA NATIONAL 4-CROSS RESULTS
1. Ross Milan...Yeti-Fox Shox
2. Erik Nelson...Thor-Michelin
3. Dale Holmes (GBr)...KHS
4. Petr Hanak...Totally Wired
5. Eric Carter...Mongoose
6. Jakub Hnidak...Krabcyles
7. Logan Binggeli...KHS
8. Cole Bangert...Specialized
9. Chris Boice...Yeti/Fox Shox
10. Jared Rando (Aus) Giant
WOMEN
1. Melissa Buhl...KHS
2. Fionn Griffiths (GBr)...Norco
3. Joanna Petterson (RSA)...Maxxis
4. Caroline Jarolimek...The Fix
5. Leana Gerrard...Mona Vie Cannondale
6. Jessica Vogt...Turner             
7. Wendy Reynolds...Sobe Cannondale
8. Christina Pinney...O'neal-Azonic-Blur