Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

years that I didn't have urgery during the off-season," says LaRocco, who has been bothered by injuries throughout much of his career. "I was able to continue training, ride and test all year. I was able to stay on the bike all year, and that was a big change. Plus, we were able to do a lot of testing, and just before the U.S. Open of Supercross last year, we got real comfortable with the bike, suspension, and things. It's just a combination of things." Not only is LaRocco satisfied with his results as of late, but so is his sponsor Jack in the Box. "Jack in the Box is real pleased," LaRocco says. "They've gone to every race so far this year and are happy with the program." LaRocco hooked up with Jack in the Box through.Factory Connection. Owner Rick Zieliielder knew a couple of customers who had Jack in the Box restaurants, and th.rough these connections, the sponsorship took shape. "They (Jack in the Box) have been real good to us and have elevated our whole program." While finishing on the podium four of the first five races might surpri e many, it doesn't really surprise LaRocco. "It doesn't surprise me too much," he claims. '1 knew I was healthy going in; our liike is working good; but I guess I'm a little surprised, being only one point out after all of the West Coast races. I'm more excited about going east, where the dirt is a little softer, has more traction, which better suits my style. I'm real glad to be consistent." LaRocco actually owned the series points lead for a week following the Seattle Supercross, in which he finished second to Larry' Ward. It was the first time LaRocco held the series points lead in supercross since 1993. "Yeah, that was kind of fun," laRocco says of lead ing the field. "It fel t good, especially going into Anaheim (II). It gave people something new to talk about and some exposure for our sponsors. I hope to get it (the points lead) back, but if it's not until round 16, that'll be fine. But right now, it's fun to be part of it (the points chase)." As far as the way the '99 supercross season is shaping up, LaRocc " again, somewhat surprised. "The field is deep this year and it's tough to qualify, but it's pretty much been the same guys up front - and they are going to be the same guys contending for the title, because we are now about a third of the way into the series, and it's beginning to get too late for some of the other guys. I figured there would be more different guys (winning)." On the track, LaRocco has been typecast as a come-from-behind type of rider, much of which stems from his reputation as a - well, a poor starter. At least in supercross. When he has to, however, laRocco has no problem getting aggressive - a must when you're weaving your way up th.rough traffic, which is something LaRocco does quite well. (After all, he's had a lot of practice at it.) And when he's dicing for the lead or near the front, LaRocco isn't afraid to bully anyone around, which is in sharp contrast to his quiet and softspoken demeanor when he's off the track. But perhaps LaRocco's strongest attribute is his ability to turn it up late in a race. "I'm probably strongest at the end (of the races)," LaRocco says. "I'm a 10- to 20-lap rider, but I guess my strongest are the last five laps. I like tougher tracks, tracks with ruts - more physical. (Left) laRocco, who just celebrated his 28th birthday, is still hoping to land his first supercross crown. (Above) LaRocco and his Factory Connection/Jack in the BoxIHonda CR250 have been a solid and consistent combination thus far. (Right) The veteran laRocco found his way onto the podium in the first four races. Yeah, starts have been my biggest downfall - not so much outdoors, but mostly supercross. Without the starts (in supercross), you're giving the race away. But I've been working on that a lot, and I think my starts have been better (this year)." Another strong motivator for LaRocco is his burning desir~ to win; nothing else will do. "I have a strong desire to win," LaRocco once said a few years ago. "I don't like second at all, and that helps motivate me. So every time I race, I give it 100 percent." And he still does. With the supercross series about to make its East Coast swing, LaRocco is feeling good about his chances of staying in the title hunt, especially when the series makes its stop at the infield of Florida's Daytona International Speedway, a track that suits LaRocco's style just fine. "I have never won there, but I've always placed well there," laRocco says of the Daytona Supercross. "I like it because it's tough and has the most different mix of outdoors and supercross plus it's sandy." Not to mention fast and rough. "We have to make a lot of changes to the bike - mostly suspension - for Day- tona," he said. "We can't just run our (normal) supercross settings. You have to go firmer because there are a lot of jumps, but you have to keep the initial plushness for the choppy stuff. The speeds 'are up, and there are so many obstacles, you have to make rebound cllanges. I think Daytona is a good race for me, because it's long and tough, so I'm looking forward to it." LaRocco, who celebrated his 28th birthday on February 12, is considered one of the veteran riders on the supercross circuit. But he doesn't let that bother him, especially in light of the fact that he was the youngest rider on the podium at the recent Seattle Supercross. '1 think four years ago 1'd be considered old, but lately - maybe it's because of Dowdy (John Dowd, who is racing successfully well into his 30s) - I think (MX careers) are stretching out, and I think training has something to do with that." So, for now, LaRocco has no intention of calling it a career just yet, especially when he takes into account the kind of year he is currently.enjoying. "If I continue to ride well and be a factory rider, yeal1, I plan on racing for a few more years. I feel good, so I'm in no hurry to quit." . _ 23

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