Carmichael dominates Hi Point

Carmichael dominates Hi Point

(AMA Motocross Release) Makita Suzuki’s Ricky Carmichael could not be denied an overall victory today at Hi Point by winning both motos. RC took over the lead position on lap twelve of moto one; while in moto two he led start to finish.

Stupid Mistake: Even with a first moto start barely in the top ten, then a tip-over “It was just a stupid mistake; I went into the turn just a little too fast. I tried to grab the inside and just didn’t have enough brake, got in between both of the ruts and fell down” Ricky still claimed moto one.

Suzuki Switch up: “I have to say thanks to Suzuki; we are on a different bike this weekend and it was really, really good - I felt great this week when we tested” added RC.

Frustration: “It’s frustrating; we are trying our best, and trying to make improvements at the race, but its hard; especially when you have this guy (Carmichael) sitting next to me racing. I felt that this year I had a lot of momentum coming off of supercross, but then to come out last weekend, and this weekend, and struggle is frustrating. I haven’t lost two races in a row all year” commented Monster Energy Kawasaki star James Stewart.

Motocross is Mental: Stewart was admittedly a little gun shy about the track that claimed him last year. “The corners for me were where I was really struggling this year. Then that little drop-off thing; every lap that I came by there I was thinking about last year. I almost had another experience there in the first moto - and lost some time there” said James.

Realistic:“I’m a racer, and I always go out and try my best and give it 100%, but I knew that I didn’t have anything for him (RC) since the first practice of the weekend. I knew that there wasn’t going to be anything magical that was going to happen in the race” admitted Stewart.

Getting There: Davi Millsaps holeshot both moto’s on his factory Honda 450; even leading a full lap in moto one; but could not keep RC and Stewart at bay for long. As Millsap’s would say “I got both holeshots and just rode my own race. I rode at a pace where I could finish the whole moto, like I did last weekend.”

Props to RC: “I’m looking to run up here like I did last year, and get some more podiums. Ricky’s riding some more races - I’m not really looking forward to those races. But it’s going to be fun when he gets in front of me, and I try to follow his lines – they usually end up being really, really good. We’re going to miss him and it’s definitely been a pleasure racing him” added Millsaps.

Starts Needed: Although he rounded lap one of both moto’s in the top six, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Timmy Ferry had lots of ground to make up on the lead pack. He was able to snag a podium spot from Millsaps in moto one, but could not duplicate that in moto two.

Continuous Improvement: Team Honda’s Andrew Short continues to improve on the big Honda and was a very consistent top five. Even Short would admit the he is a slow starter to each series; but he definitely knows how to pick it up as the series progresses. Not only is he just starting this series, he’s recently back from injury and riding an all new bike.

Off the Pace: Kevin Windham just appeared off the pace at Hi Point; his starts weren’t the greatest, and he simply could not move up much.

Child Prodigy: A few years ago I remember everyone excitedly talking about Ohio’s top amateur rider Gavin Gracyk. But after turning pro, injuries, bad luck, and family issues sidelined him. Gracyk scored a solid eleventh at Hi Point; not bad for a full-on privateer! Let’s hope he continues to race all the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship rounds.

Thunder and Lightening: Mike and Jeff Alessi took their Red Bull KTM electric start 450’s to ninth and seventeenth respectively. Mike’s miscue in the second turn of moto one didn’t help his cause and it put him at the end of the pack – eventually finishing eleventh in the moto. Younger brother Jeff had a very similar poor start in moto two.

Starts Needed Part 2: MDK Honda teammates David Vuillemin and Nick Wey both need some starts as each started the motos outside the top ten – especially Wey was far back in the first laps. DV finished tenth for the day, while Wey finished fourteenth with his thumb still troubling him. Both riders are better than what their finish position indicates.

The Great Outdoors: If you haven’t attended a round of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championships Presented by FMF you are really missing out! To witness Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, and gang race their 450’s is a sight to behold! To see what they can do on a motocross track is amazing.