 |
Doug Henry |
Doug Henry took a long break from motocross and supercross to race snowmobiles and spend time with his family. Frankly, he looked out of shape and out of rhythm when he came out of his six month "retirement" to defend his 250 outdoor national championship for Yamaha on his YZ400.
After seven outdoor nationals this year, Henry was well outside the top 5 in points, and didn’t appear to have a chance to take an overall victory at one of the remaining rounds.
Henry found his rhythm, and his winning ways, at Troy, Ohio yesterday in sweltering heat and humidity. Henry won both motos, while Greg Albertyn finished second overall on his Suzuki (2/3) with Honda mounted Mike LaRocco third (3/4).
The intense heat and humidity made the Troy national a war of attrition. Henry certainly proved he is back in top condition by winning here.
Kawasaki’s Ricky Carmichael took his seventh overall victory at Troy in the 125 class, despite being beaten in the first moto by Yamaha rider Stephane Roncada.
Roncada, whose training and conditioning have been questioned (but not his talent), apparently had a point to prove (is it contract time?). In the first moto, Carmichael worked his way into second place following a mediocre start and a crash, but he couldn’t reel in Roncada, who turned some very impressive lap times.
In the second moto, despite the steam bath the riders were experiencing, Roncada rode another very strong moto and finished third. He was second overall on the day, ahead of Brock Sellards (Honda).
After eight of twelve rounds, Albertyn has a sizable 30-point lead in the 250 championship race over second-place Mike LaRocco. Crowded near LaRocco in the points chase are Honda teammates Windham (3rd) and Lusk (4th).
Albertyn and LaRocco are both sentimental favorites, who have struggled in recent years. Albertyn has multiple world motocross championships to his credit, and LaRocco multiple AMA titles. The rest of the year should be interesting in the 250 class.
The rest of the year should be less interesting in the 125 class. Ricky Carmichael, barring injury, should cruise to his third straight outdoor national championship. Carmichael has a 99-point lead over second place Brock Sellards. With each moto awarding 25 championship points to the winner, Carmichael could DNF nearly four motos and maintain first place. It will be interesting to see whether he rides a 250 national if he wraps up the 125 championship early.
Results and Points (top 10 only)
250 Overall Results:
1. Doug Henry (Yam); 2. Greg Albertyn (Suz); 3. Mike LaRocco (Hon);
4. Ezra Lusk (Hon); 5. Larry Ward (Suz); 6. Jeff Emig (Kaw); 7. Kevin Windham (Hon); 8. Jimmy Button (Yam); 9. Tim Ferry (Yam); 10. John Dowd (Yam).
125 Overall Results:
1. Ricky Carmichael (Kaw); 2. Stephane Roncada (Yam); 3. Brock Sellards (Hon); 4. Casey Lytle (Yam); 5. David Pingree (Kaw); 6. Nick Wey (Kaw); 7. Natham Ramsey (Kaw); 8. Ernesto Fonseca (Yam); 9. Paul Currie (Suz); 10. Michael Brandes (Suz).
250 Points (after 8 of 12 rounds):
1. Greg Albertyn (308) (Suz); 2. Mike LaRocco (278) (Hon); 3. Kevin Windham (276) (Hon); 4. Ezra Lusk (268) (Hon); 5. Sebastien Tortelli (245) (Hon); 6. Jeff Emig (225) (Kaw); 7. John Dowd (203) (Yam); 8. Doug Henry (201) (Yam); 9. Larry Ward (175) (Suz); 10. Jimmy Button (167) (Yam).
125 Points (after 8 of 12 rounds):
1. Ricky Carmichael (369) (Kaw); 2. Brock Sellards (270) (Hon); 3. Tallon Vohland (253) (Hon); 4. Nick Wey (219) (Kaw); 5. Michael Brandes (217) (Suz); 6. Natham Ramsey (190) (Kaw); 7. Ernesto Fonseca (172) (Yam); 8. Casey Lytle (161) (Yam); 9. Casey Johnson (155) (Yam); 10. Danny Smith (148) (Hon).
