Kawasaki’s Ricky Carmichael told the world tonight that he is not just the world’s fastest outdoor rider by beating Yamaha’s seven-time supercross champ, Jeremy McGrath, straight up in a memorable duel in San Diego, California. With Carmichael and McGrath first and second into the first corner of the race, the battle commenced and raged for fifteen laps before Carmichael took control and pulled a relatively comfortable gap on McGrath.
Mike LaRocco (Honda) also got by McGrath with two laps left, capping another relentless charge from a mediocre start. LaRocco finished second, with McGrath third. Suzuki’s Travis Pastrana crashed early in the 250 main event and did not finish the race.
In Round Two of the West Coast 125cc Supercross Series, Justin Buckelew (Yamaha) put his two-stroke at the top of the podium after his four-stroke mounted teammate Ernesto Fonseca (winner of last week’s Round One at Anaheim) stalled his bike early in the race and was unable to restart it until he was in last place. Buckelew rode well to win over the Suzukis of Danny Smith and Rodrig Thain.
Carmichael and McGrath are tied for the points’ lead in the 250 class with Buckelew leading the 125 West Coast series. Next week the riders return to Anaheim for Round Three.
125 Final Race Results (Top 10)
1. Justin Buckelew #38 YAMAHA 2. Danny Smith #29 SUZUKI 3. Rodrig Thain #32 SUZUKI 4. Shae Bentley #1 KAWASAKI 5. Jiri Dostal #717 HONDA 6. David Pingree #46 KTM 7. Tyler Evans #47 HONDA 8. Grant Langston #111 KTM 9. Casey Lytle #57 KAWASAKI 10. Ivan Tedesco #42 HONDA
250 Final Race Results (Top 10)
1. Ricky Carmichael #4 KAWASAKI 2. Mike LaRocco #5 HONDA 3. Jeremy McGrath #1 YAMAHA 4. Ezra Lusk #11 HONDA 5. Kevin Windham #14 SUZUKI 6. David Vuillemin #934 YAMAHA 7. Nate Ramsey #28 YAMAHA 8. Tim Ferry #15 YAMAHA 9. Robbie Reynard #17 YAMAHA 10. Nicholas Wey #23 YAMAHA
125 Points Standing (Top 10)
1. Justin Buckelew (#38 YAMAHA) 45 pts. 2. Danny Smith (#29 SUZUKI) 44 pts. 3. Rodrig Thain (#32 SUZUKI) 34 pts. 4. Ernesto Fonseca (#25 YAMAHA) 33 pts 5. David Pingree (#46 KTM) 33 pts. 6. Shae Bentley (#1 KAWASAKI) 33 pts. 7. Ivan Tedesco (#42 HONDA) 27 pts. 8. Tyler Evans (#47 HONDA) 27 pts. 9. Jiri Dostal (#717 HONDA) 26 pts. 10. Casey Lytle (#57 KAWASAKI) 24 pts.
250 Points Standing (Top 10)
1. Jeremy McGrath (#1 YAMAHA) 45 pts. 2. Ricky Carmichael (#4 KAWASAKI) 45 pts. 3. Ezra Lusk (#11 HONDA) 40 pts. 4. Mike LaRocco (#5 HONDA) 40 pts. 5. David Vuillemin (#934 YAMAHA) 30 pts. 6. Kevin Windham (#14 SUZUKI) 29 pts. 7. Nate Ramsey (#28 YAMAHA) 24 pts. 8. Nicholas Wey (#23 YAMAHA) 23 pts. 9. Stephane Roncada (#21 KAWASAKI) 20 pts. 10. Travis Pastrana (#199 SUZUKI) 17 pts.
