Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Did you change anything that you were doing on the track? Yeah. I think it was more a change in my riding style that made me win. outdoors. Before I would try to ride the lines where no one else rode and try to find the smooth spots. Bu t since I changed my attitude about the tracks, I started to realize that there was no need to look for those lines. Take the fastest line out there, whether it's rough or not, and be tough! That's where my training came in. I can't always be the most technical rider; I needed to ride the faster lines. That changed my athtude and helped me out a lot. You know the saying, attitude is everything. You trained much harder this year than you ever have before. What kind of program are you on? (Laughs) I'm on no program at the moment! During the season, then... Well, I've been riding a lot, and I'm gonna have Gary Semics come out again. During the season, I usually rest on Sunday, then on Monday I'll work won again in '94, but it seemed like you had relaxed a little and didn't have it as easy. You seemed much more determined in 1995... Yeah, I took it easy in 1994, maybe a bit too easy. I got really motivated for 1995, I got a trainer and got on it. It seemed to work. I was kickin' ass the whole time. When did you decide to go wide open and try to win the 250cc National Championship as well? Well, I was totally ready and in shape at Gainesville, but my bike maybe wasn't working as good as it should have. The second race was at Hangtown, and I rode like shit there. After that I kinda wanted to get my bike working good, so we did some testing and got it working . real good. Then I started riding up front every race and it all came together. Then it came to me and I began to believe that I could win both motos and win all the time. ,--- I. ·. McGra4.h's Following what he describes as "the best season ever," Jeremy McGrath rewarded himself with a waterfront home In the private community of Canyon Lake, California. Yes, that's his house in the background. outdoor races, and was criticized heaviIy.for his natural-terrain performances. Things cl:tanged, however, some time before the 1995 season got under way. Anxious to silence his doubters, McGrath hired a trainer, lost weight and donned a new attitude. The results were impressive. Not only did McGrath earn his third-consecutive supercross crown a feat equaled only by the legendary Bob Hannah - he surpassed Rick Johnson's all-time supercross win record of 28 and officially became the best supercross racer who has ever lived. The cherry on top, however, was had on the rough, dusty courses that play host to the 250cc National Championship Series. McGrath looked like a different rider as he charged to win after win and eventually claimed his first-ever outdoor title. Once and for all, McGrath had silenced his doubters and proved that he is one of the greatest talents to ever throw a leg over a motocross bike. When you won your first Supercross Championship as a rookie in 1993, you raced hard and smoked everyone. You Cham s on tile cbam Michael Doohan 1995 500cc Road Race World Otampion: Although I don't get the opportunity to follow supercross racing in the United States, I am aware that Jeremy McGrath has been totally dominant. That shows he is an exceptional talent." N Steve Lamson 1995 AMA 125cc National MX Champion: "This year Jeremy has changed his whole image. He's always had the talent to win the Nationals, but not the endurance. He's way more serious now, he's trimmed down and trained his ass off. He really showed everyone this year." Scott Parker 1995 AMA Grand National Champion: "When I see Jeremy ride he has great timing. He's really precise and he seems to land everything dead-on, lap after lap. He saves energy and it makes everything easy for him. When people tell you that you can't do stuff, it makes you want to try that much harder - to take and prove it." Miguel DuHamel 1995 AMA Superbike National Champion: "Jeremy has been doing a great job. There's not a lot to say except that he's doing great. And he also started this new craze of getting off the bike in the air. It's crazy. Seriously, from what I can tell, he's incredibly focused. He started training harder, and that has --, made him a stronger weapon. He works 'ft~ J'U SX "I -11··cks· 1. Jeremy McGrath: Who else am I gonna pick? I think that I have a lot left in me. I'm'still pretty young and [ can still go faster than I have. 2. Jeff. Emig: It might t!!ke some time for to get used to his Kawasaki, but he rode them before, and he might jump right .on them and go fast. If he starts th.e season out strong he'll do good, but he typically is a slow starter. 3. Steve Lamson: I'd say that Lammy and Emig are a toss-up. Either one of them. cou[d get second. Steve is going to do good. He has a lot of confidence right now, and that's what he's lacked in the p a s t . . . . 4. Mike LaRocco: H's hard. to' say how Mlke yvill do. He's'been injured and he'~ switChing brands. SuzJ!l

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