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/128086
2001 AMA/EA Sports Supercross Series Presented by Speed Stick ~I~,Q) ......~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-'a: o going to argue with these forecasters? After all, Vuillemin was McGrath's only real challenger all last year. More than once he flat-out beat McGrath to the checkered flag, so it would be silly to bet against that happening at least once or twice this season. Another rider who stands a good chance of threatening for the '01 Supercross title is Team Chevy Trucks Kawasaki rider Ricky Carmichael. The '98 125cc Eastern Regional Supercross Champion, '97, '98, and '99 125cc National MX Champion and reigning 250cc National MX Champion is dead serious about winning this year's Supercross number-one plate, which would complete his full-house of titles at just 21 years of age. Carmichael is totally focused on Supercross this year. He skipped racing any European Supercross races i~ the off-season, not wanting to take any chances on getting hur.Un the off-season (like last year', when he broke his collarbone at Bercy). He's hired a live-in By KIT PALMER PHOTOS BY STEVE BRUHN R D very year about this time, peopie start talking Supercross. With the 2001 AMAlEA Sports Supercross Series "set to begin next week, the prognosticators are once again in top gear, making their predictions as to what is going to happen and who is going to come out on top. We've heard people say that a new champ will be crowned and others say that the king is not yet dead - the king being Jeremy McGrath, of course. Those who have seen McGrath prac!isio:g-and preparing for the upcoming Supercross season lately say that the seven-time champ is looking better than ever and is totally on his game. He's got to be, because the list of riders who have a realistic chance of dethroning the champ is longer than ever. And McGrath knows it. Many predictors say that the Frenchman, David Vuillemin, will be McGrath's biggestthreat. And who's 10 ..JANUARY 10, 2001 • cue I e n e vv s trainer and is in the best physical condition of his life. He also has a couple of seasons in the 250cc class under his belt now, so you might say that Carmichael is primed and ready to go. Another serious contender for the '01 Supercross title is Team Honda's Ezra Lusk. Remember him? We haven't heard much from Lusk because he spent almost all of 2000 hurt and out of the spotlight. An Mini SX At each Supercross round, kids will have the opportunity to race during the intermission show in the KTM Junior Supercross Challenge. The children will wear brand-new KStyle riding gear, will be supported by a pit crew, and will participate in an autograph session. Participants will compete aboard KTM's newest minicycle, the 50cc Pro Senior LC, and each youngster will receive a $100 U.S. Savings Bond to further his or her education. Kids competing in the KTM Junior Supercross Challenge must be seven or eight years of age, weigh less than 68 pound... and stand no taller than 50 inches. Riders must be experienced in racing competition for at least one year and also demonstrate proficiency in the classroom. "Not only are the young stars of The KTM Supercross Challenge the future of the sport, they are a fan favorite," said Dan Krolczyk, SFX Motorcycle Senior Director of Marketing. "We're proud to have the KTM program as part of the excitement of the season again, and we wish all the junior athletes the best." ~ 0.. o :I: '" ~ a: u. ~ ~ :I: 0..