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/128092
AMAlEA Sports Supel"'Cross Series Round S: RCA Dome fastest heat race, the 21-year-old Floridian made short work of the 20rider field. Jumping out to the front, Carmichael was able to ride at his own pace, and in a way no one else could. Through a jump section along the stadium's east perimeter, Carmichael was the only rider to consistently go through the jump section as a series of three triples, gaining time each lap. By the fifth lap he had a three-second lead, padding it to nearly eight at the halfway mark, and finishing the 20-lap final with 12.2 seconds in hand. The only off moment he had came midrace when the rear end of the KX250 stepped out and swapped back and forth in the whoop section. "When I get a good start I feel comfortable," Carmichael said. "Like I said, this year I feel I can ride the pace to win and not be out of control. And that's the kind of problem I had two years ago. My bike's worldng a By HENNY RAY ABRAMS PHOTOS BY STEVE BRUHN INDIANAPOUS, IN, FEB 10 r-r he riddle making its way around , the RCA Dome prior to round six of the AMA/EA Sports Supercross Series was this: Do you know what RCA stands for? The answer: 'Ricky Cruises Again,' and, a few hours later, the Team Chevy Trucks Kawasaki rider had changed it from a riddle to a reality. From the moment he shot out of the gate like a bee-stung kangaroo, to the signature acrobatic move at the checkered flag, Ricky Carmichael owned the mostly one-lined and rutted track inside the Indianapolis dome, storming to his most convincing victory this season, and adding precious points to his championship points lead, before a crowd of 55,912. Starting from the gate position he'd earned by virtue of having the 6 FEBRAURY 21,2001 • cue I • n e vv s lot better this year and that makes a big difference." Mazda Yamaha's Jeremy McGrath had seen the scenario unfold more than a few times before, but usually he was the one doing the disappearing act. Passing opportunities were rare in Indy, which put an even greater premium on the start. McGrath hit the first turn in third behind Carmichael and Yamaha's Tim Ferry. But, instead of making short work of Ferry, McGrath had to work hard to make a pass, and by then Carmichael had vanished. "I was doing everything I could to get around Ferry, but by the time I got around him I couldn't even see RC," McGrath said of the pass he made on the 11 th lap. "I know the story. I've had plenty of holeshots like that. I just need a little better start." Ferry is nearly, but not quite, recovered from a neck injury suffered earlier this season. As the race wore Ricky Cannlchael (4) used another good start to his advantage at the InQ Supercross. Here, Cannlchael nails the holeshot ahead of Tim Ferry (15), Ezra Lusk (111 and David Vulllemin (934). on, he wore down and fell back to fifth. Team Honda's Ezra Lusk and Sebastien Tortelli both passed Ferry, though at different times. Lusk said he lost focus in the second half of the race, which is how Tortelli, riding with a sore shoulder, was able to close up at the finish, coming up about two bikelengths short. "I'm finding it hard to keep my concentration any more," Lusk said. "On this kind of track, it takes it out of me, the focus." Ferry hurt his neck at the Phoenix Supercross and it slowed him in the second half in Indy. Local hero Mike laRocco on the ArnsoiJ/Doc Martens/Competition Accessories Honda chased Ferry