Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127826
MOTOCROSS FLORIDA WINTER AMA IX SERIES Currie said. "I planned to ride for the win, but I kept thinking about a faU costing me the championship" Currie h'ld a busy weekend. The HSKS of Ocala-backed rider also won the 12Scc and 2S0cc A championships. Barry Carsten, who finished fifth overall en route to the 2S0cc series championship said, "1 fell in the first 12Scc moto, and that robbed me of any extra energy for the 250 class today." BromJeys Cycle-backed Carsten also was awarded the Over 25 A championship. Robbie Horton paced the first 12Scc Pro moto ahead of Carmichael, Nicholas Wey, Ronnie Renner and Shae Bentley. Three of the pre-race favorites - Broc Sellards, Anthony Pocorobba and Keith Johnson - went down in a pileup in turn one. "1 had the first-turn lead," Sellards said. "But my (ront end tucked under. Pocorobba came right over me, and Johns and Carsten piled on." By the second lap, Carmichael had passed Horton and was on his way to the win. "I have not ridden much lately and was surprised to get the holeshot," Horton said. "Ricky was clearly faster, and after he passed me, 1 settled into a good pace. Near the end, my arms pumped, and Weyand Tony Lorusso caught me." "Horton pushed me for a couple of laps then backed off," Carmichael said after scoring the moto win. "It feels good to be back in one piece arid riding again." Moto two was a Carmichael benefit. The talented young rider led flag to flag. Ownership of the second spot rota ted between first Mitch Hodges, then Sellards and finally Johnson. "J felt good after 1 caught Hodges," Sellards said. "But Johnson never By Mike and Anne Adair 22 GAINESVILLE, FL, JAN. 25-26 t was Ricky Carmichael's Welcome Home day during the final round of the Winter AMA Series at Gatorback and the Splitfire I Pro Circuit I Kawasaki rider disappointed no one by winning all four motos of pro competition. "The final pro moto was the hardest," Carmichael said. "Keith Bowen had a good lead and was setting a fast pace. 1 wanted to win, but r had to think about the season ahead and not chance an injury. I used a lot of patience and finally found a passing opportunity." The 12Scc Pro series championship went to the round three and four winner, Paul Currie, who finished ninth in the final round. "I guess the pressure got to me," (Above) Ricky Cannichael blasted the rest of his competition In the weeds and gathered all four Pro class mota victories for two overall wins at the Florida Winter AMA MX series finale. (Right) Barry Carsten (34) chases Mike Treadwell (77) in Pro class action. Carsten nailed down the series championship In the 250cc class with a fifth overall. backed off, and when 1 made a mistake he passed me." "Carmichael was gone," Johnson said. "But the three of us pushed each other and pulled away from the rest of the pack." Shae Bentley, by finishing fifth, won a three-way tie for second overall over Lorusso and Wey. "The championship is great, but this is the worst that I have ridden since the . opener," said Currie, who finished ninth. Carmichael squeezed between Jason Thomas and Mike Kalin between turns one and two to take the first 250cc moto lead. At the end of lap one, it was .Carmichael, Horton, Bentley, Sellards and Currie. At the halfway point Horton slowed and pulled off the track. "J sprung a coolant leak," Horton said. "And the engine started to knock." Bentley held the second position for two laps until Currie made his move. '1 trailed Bentley and then took him on the outside in the far-end sweeper," Currie said. "I got away clean in that one," Carmichael said after winning the moto. "And I didn't have any problems." Carmichael had a race on his hands in the final 250cc moto. KTM America's Keith Bowen beat Johnson, Dag Boyeson, Carmichael and Jim Neese off the gate and led the field over the dropoff. "I finally got a good start and didn't plan to waste it," said Bowen, who held a good lead at the end of lap one ahead of the pack of Johnson, Carmichael and Boyeson. Horton was still in the pits, rebuilding his blown bike, and missed the race. "I separated my shoulder last summer," said Neese, who·faded from fourth to eighth by-lap six. "And it has been a painfully slow recovery. 1 just started riding again."