NORBA National series #7 - E2

Snowmass, CO, USA, August 8-9, 2004

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Race 2 - Mountain cross

Leana Gerrard takes debut victory

Two in a row for Eric Carter

By Keri Fagan, USA Cycling

A large crowd gathered for the afternoon's final event - the pro men's and women's mountain cross finals. Leana Gerrard (Sumner, Wash.) put her stamp on the weekend by taking her very first win in the women's contest, while Eric Carter (Temecula, Calif.) continued his success and claimed his second consecutive victory this year.

In the women's race, the final riders left after elimination rounds were Leana Gerrard, Tara Llanes (Los Alamitos, Calif.), Melissa Buhl (Chandler, Ariz.), and Jill Kintner (Murrieta, Calif.).

The technical course claimed the usual favorite, Jill Kintner, in the second turn, leaving the first place distinction up to Gerrard, Llanes, or Buhl. The three stayed shoulder-to-shoulder, through the last half of the course. Gerrard took a decisive lead on the home stretch and made the final jump to post her first career mountain cross win.

The consolation round saw Marla Streb (Los Osos, Calif.) make the winning effort for the final spot on the podium, edging out teammate Kathy Pruitt (Lake Almanor, Calif.).

In the men's final, Eric Carter (Temecula, Calif.) lined up against Brian Lopes (Murrieta, Calif.), Rich Houseman (Pasadena, Calif.), and Brian Schmith (Lancaster, Calif.). Carter took a slight lead coming out of the second turn and the group of four stayed together going into the third. When Houseman got tangled up, Carter's lead increased while Lopes and Schmith chased him down.

Carter was followed across the finish line by Lopes and then Schmith. Houseman, who had already secured a podium spot, took it easy the rest of the way down. Mike King (San Diego, Calif.) bested his competitors in the consolation round to claim fifth place.

Results

Men
 
1 Eric Carter
2 Brian Lopes
3 Brian Schmith
4 Rich Houseman
5 Mike King
 
Women
 
1 Leana Gerrard
2 Tara Llanes
3 Melissa Buhl
4 Jill Kintner
5 Marla Streb