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/128088
AMAlEA Sports S\-Jpercross Series Round :2: Qualcomm Stadium Carmichael concurred: "It was fun, going back and forth. It was a really fun race. We were having fun, and at the same time racing hard." Carmichael's win brings him into a tie with McGrath for the lead in the points standings, 45-45, which means that, for these two riders at least, next week's round three in Anaheim might as well be round one in Anaheim. "It's still like a new season, no matter what," McGrath said. "Because the points right now don't even matter. As long as it's first, third, second, first, third - it all don't matter right now. It's just within a couple points. It'll be all right." "I'm just going to try to hold it together for these first five rounds, and then get back east where I'll be a little more comfortable," Carmichael said. "The dirt [will be more familiar), and I'll be at home, in my element." MAIN By CHRIS JONNUM PHOTOS BY STEVE BRUHN SAN DIEGO, CA, JAN. 13 t was one week behind schedule, but the stiff challenge that everyone was predicting Jeremy McGrath would face this season has arrived, and it comes in the form of a climinutive, newly gaunt Floridian with a freckled face and a stronger desire to win an EA Sports Supercross title than anyone since - well, since McGrath himself. Chevy Trucks Kawasaki rider Ricky Carmichael showed that he is dead-serious about the 2001 crown, passing the champ five times! - and riding away to an impressive San Diego victory that could well mark a turning point in his career. No, it technically wasn't the first - that one came last year at Day- I 6 JANUARY 24,2001 • cue I • tona International Speedway - but this marked the first time Carmichael has won in a true AMA stadium race. "That was a legit Supercross, right there," Carmichael said. "I know Daytona is in the Supercross season, but it's not a legit Supercross. "It's awesome to win San Diego also because this is where I got hurt in '99. I [now] know in my head I can do it. It's just like Daytona; I know how to win that race, and I know what it takes, and I love the track. Now, I believe I know what it takes to win a Supercross, and I'll keep trying to do it." Oddly enough, McGrath was not especially disappointed following his defeat, instead coming across as nearly pleased at the prospect of having some regular competition. "Actually, that was a really fun race," he said. "I had a blast. Last n _ _ so Ricky Cannlcha.1 (4) put his Chevy Trucks Kawasaki Into the winner's circl. after a tough scrap with J• .......,. McGrath. It was, as Cumlchael put It, his tlrst "legit" Supercross win. year, I would say that we couldn't have done that because [Carmichael] was not as mature as he is now. I think now he realizes how fun that was - especially with him winning [laughs). "I don't ever want to take anyone out, and if he does the same to me gives me the same respect - then we can have a great race like that for the fans. I'm really pleased with the way Lusk is riding, too, because he's matured a lot, too. We're all here together, and we've got to make it fun for all of us and fun for the fans. It's a respect thing." Team Yamaha's David Vuillemin continued the fast-starting, fast-fading ways that he's displayed of late, taking the holeshot but then sliding to fifth within half a lap. McGrath took over first, and many inunedlately assumed the night would be a repeat of the champ's Anaheim sleeper. Carmichael had different ideas, however, passing McGrath momentarily at the end of the whoops, but the number-one bike was back in front by the end of lap one. Not to be dissuaded, Carmichael made a bid for the lead on the first long straight of lap two, then pulled up alongside McGrath going into the first triple, and as the two riders rose into the damp San Diego air, McGrath gave Carmichael his stare of doom. This is the point where Carmichael and others have folded in the past, humbly conceding McGrath's superiority in his stadium realm. But the outdoor ace was intent upon changing that tendency, and he made a pass for the lead in the very next tum. The crowd hailed the move with a roar, not so much out of dislike for McGrath as appreciation for the fact that someone was finally giving the king a legitimate challenge. "When I was behind him, I felt in control," Carmichael said. "I felt like I had more to offer, and that's how I could get by him. Before we went out there, I said [to myself), 'Any chance I get, I'm going to take it.' Because I believe last weekend, I didn't take the chances I had to pass people." Being the champion that he is, McGrath responded to the challenge, getting back by Carmichael when the latter rider cased it in the rhythm section on lap three. Carmichael then settled back temporarily, giving his nerves time to settle, but still keeping McGrath in his sights.