SAN FRANCISCO -- It's rare these days to see someone other than Dave Mirra occupying the top of the podium following a bicycle stunt street competition. But there was Rob Nolli in Louisville, Ky., standing tall at the X Trials. He had won one of the closest street events in X Games history.

It's been that kind of year for Nolli, the rider most likely to make a name for himself this weekend on Pier 30 during X Games V. Just when he was content to be another good rider on the circuit, he's making a bid to become great without really trying.

	Nolli pulls off a "Superman" during qualifying on Friday.

"It's weird. I've heard some compliments this year. Things like, 'Rob, looks like you are riding good this year.' Things like this and that," says Nolli, who'll celebrate his 27th birthday next Tuesday. "But I'm really not doing anything different. I really haven't learned any big new tricks in the last few years. I think I'm just putting it together a little better. I'm in better shape and riding a little longer and harder."

Nolli's victory in Kentucky came after a fourth-place street finish in Richmond, Va., at the first X Trials. The six-year pro took bronze in his first X Games street competition back in 1996. But Nolli laughs when he points out that his trend at X Games hasn't been downward. He was fourth in 1997 and fifth a year ago in San Diego.

But his confidence is at an all-time high after Kentucky.

"Beating Dave Mirra is big these days. I've done it in the past, but it was big (to do it in Kentucky)," says Nolli, who won the competition on a second tie-breaker. "When it comes down to a competition that is that close, it's obvious that it could be anybody's. It could just come down to the luck of the draw.

"I'm really not doing anything different. I really haven't learned any big new tricks in the last few years. I think I'm just putting it together a little better." -- Bicycle stunt rider Rob Nolli

"The way I see it, seriously, is at every contest it could be five or six guys who can take it. Anytime, any contest. Everytime is a brand new thing. It's like starting over."

Nolli qualified Friday for the street finals on Saturday. He wasn't at his best in the first run, which landed him 13th. But a solid second run bumbed him up to ninth out of the 10 riders who moved on to the final.

"This street course is a lot different (than the X Trials). But the guys with the skills on their bikes will prevail. It doesn't really matter. If you are a good bike rider, you can adapt. That is what being a pro is all about."

As a professional, Nolli does approximately 200 days of shows for GT Bikes. He says his touring -- which includes performing during halftime of NBA games -- may explain his recent resurgence in competitions. The shows aren't always held in the best riding conditions, but they keep him on his bike all year, and sharp for events like the Summer X Games.

"The shows cut in a lot to my practice time, as far as learning new tricks. But it also helps as far as riding in front of people and doing tricks that you already know how to do and getting them dialed," Nolli says. "It helps and hurts in both ways.

"Doing shows like I do, we deal with a lot of less-than-desirable riding areas, spaces and times. We can ride early in the morning, or late at night. But you have to do what you have to do and make it happen (each show)."

Nolli, who has been riding bikes for 15 years, says he isn't putting any extra pressure on himself to use the X Games as a vehicle to stardom. A good performance would certainly be welcomed and put him on the same stage with the stars of the show -- Mirra, Jay Miron, Dennis McCoy and Ryan Nyquist.

But win or lose, he'll return to his home in Homestead, Fla., and spend as much time with his daughter, Madaline.

"It's obviously a big opportunity for me. But (I) try not to think about it," Nolli says. "A lot of guys out here think of this as the most important thing to them. I think that takes away a lot of the fun. I think maybe they are out there to get recognized and do it for the money. I think those are the wrong reasons.

"What's important to me is coming out here and riding well -- for myself. Come out, ride good, and whatever happens, happens."