Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

(Left) LaRocco, Cannichael and Lusk celebrate on the Pontiae podium. (Right) Cannlchael picks up his bike after going down in his heat race" 19. Mork Burkhart (KTM); 20. Joseph Oehlhof (Yom). Michael Campbell (Yom); 22. Joseph Oehlhof (Yam). Tune: 5 min.. 58.990 see. 250 MAIN: 1. Ricky Cllrmlchael (Kaw); 2. Ezri!l Lusk (Han); 3. Mike LllRocco (Han); 4. Jeremy McGrath (Yam); 5. Kevin Windham (Suz); 6. Tim Ferry (Yam); 7. Robbie Reynard (Yam); 8. Stephane Roncllda (Kaw); 9. Michael Byrne (Kaw); 10. Damon Huffman (Yam); 11. Heath Voss (Han); 12. Kyle Lewis (Yam); 13. Casey Johnson (Kaw); 14. JeanSebastien Roy (Han); 15. Jason McCormick (Suz); 16. Pedro Gonzllies (KllW); 17. Jeffrey Baker Jr. (Yam); 18. Kevin Crine (Han); 19. Doug Dehaan (Han); 20. Sebastien Tortelli (Han). Time: 18 min., 50.140 sees. M.argin of victory: 10.90 sec. Winner's average lap time: 56.507 sees. Tune: 7 min., 25.010 sees. 250 SEMI 1 (6 laps, 1-5 transfer): I. Michoel Byrne (Kaw): 2. Pedro Gonzales (KllW); 3. Jason McCormick (Suz); 4. Kyle Lewis (Yam); 5. Damon Huffman (Yam); 6. Brian Mason (Kaw); 7. Ted Campbell (Suz); 8. Brian Stone (Kaw); 9. Mike Klltin Jr. (YlIIm); 10. Bryllin PiccireJli (Han); 11. Charlie Dogner (Hon); 12. Marco Dube (KTM); 13. Jeremlos Israel (Hon); 14. Thomas Hofmaster (Yam); 15. Michael Campbell (Yam); 16. Jamie Brockman (Hon). Reynard had been in with Michael Byrne, Huffman, and Great Lakes Aviation's Heath Voss for the midpart of the race. With seven laps to go, Byrne tried to check out, but Reynard came at him, and moved ahead on the 15th lap. The riders spread out at the end, Byrne a safe ninth in front of Huffman and Voss. I:N Pontiac S1lven1011le PontiK, Michigan Results: April 7, 2881 (Round 13 of 1&1 250 HEAT 1 (8 laps, 1-4 transfer): 1. Jeremy McGrath (Yam); 2. Mike laRocco (Hon): 3. TIm Ferry (Yam); (Kaw); . (Kaw): (Suz); (Kaw); (Hon); 4. Cesey Johnson (Kaw); 5. Pedro Gonzales 6. Damon Huffman (Yam); 7. Michael Byrne 8. Kyle Lewis (Yam); 9. Jason McCormick 10. Ted Campbell (Suz); 11. Brian Meson 12. Mike Kalin Jr. (Yam); 13. Bryan Piccirelli 14. Brian Stone (Kaw); 15. Jeremias Israel (Hon); 16. Charlie Degner (Hon); 17. Thomas Hofmaster (Yam); 18. Marco Dube (KTM); 19. M.ichael Campbell (Yam); 20. Jamie Brockman (Hon). Time: 7 min.• 21.920 sees. 250 HEAT 2 (8 laps, 1-4 transfer): 1. Ezra Lusk (Hon): 2. Ricky Carmichael (Ke:w); 3. Stephane Roncada (Kaw); 4. Heath Voss (Hon); 5. Robbie Reynard (Yam); 6. Jason Thomas (Hus); 7. Doug Dehllan (Hon); 8. Jean-Sebastien Roy (Han); 9. Jimmy Wilson (Yom): 10. Jeffrey Boker (Yom); 11. Sebllstien Tortelll (Han); 12. Kevin Crine (Han); 13. Dustin Nelson (Yam); 14. Michael Kann (Yllm); 15. Todd DeHoop (Yom); 16. Kevin Windhom (Suz); 17. Thomas Kelley (Suz); 18. Jllmes Povolny Jr. (Hon); BRIEFLY••• The rumor. and though if s a good one. thaf s all it is. had been building for weeks; Ricky Cannichael to Honda in 2002 for ground-breaking money. Whether ifs true or not. it makes sense for at least one reason: Since winning nine Supercross crowns in a row. the last by Jeremy McGrath in 1996, Honda hasn't won the title. Their only win in 2000 came almost exactly a year ago. when Kevin Windham won in Dallas on April 8. According to vari· ous pit prophets. Honda would set Carmichael up with his own team and give him whatever he wants. American Honda motocross manager Cliff White said. "We're working on next years plans for racing. Right now. we haven't finalized anything.Team Chevy Trucks Kawasaki's team manager Bruce Stjemstrom said the team would try to re-sign Carmichael. whose contract with the team expires after this year. "Thafs our intention." he said. "He's at a point now where any company would be foolish not to want him. He's the best motocross rider in the world. When he rode a 60. he was the best 60cc rider. when he rode an 80 he was the best 80cc rider. and when he rode a 125, he was the best 125cc rider. Ifs not a big surprise." Carmichael had heard the rumors, but said the process is ongoing. "Right now I'm just focused on the title and maybe figure something out after Supercross. - Carmichael said. -I know there's rumors flying. Obviously. everyone's talking to me since I've been doing good. Still. I don't have anything done yet. My bike's working awesome now. and we'lI just have to see what happens." An addendum to the rumor was that up-and-coming Roridian James Stewart would join the team on his 16th birthday. American Suzuki's Kevin Windham narrowly edged out Team Chevy Trucks Kawasaki's Ricky Carmichael for the $1000 SFX Holeshot Award in the 250cc class. F&S Suzuki's Danny Carlson bagged the $500 prize in the 125cc class. Interesting stat of the night: There have been 36 podium placings through the first 12 races. but only five riders have made it onto the box.. The lucky five. Ricky Carmichael. Jeremy McGrath. Kevin Windham. Ezra Lusk. and Mike laRocco. Two days after having his knee sewn up. American Honda's Sebastien T ortelli was out practicing to see if he could ride this weekend. The answer was yes. and the Frenchman decided on Tuesday that he was fit enough to race in Pontiac. Tortelli had punctured his knee in a practice crash at the St. Louis Supercross. Tortelli explained that he was going through a whoop when one kicked him up. The front wheel came down hard. sending him up in the air, both legs hitting the handlebars. "When I landed a footpeg went between the ICTi kneel brace and my kneepad and cut me open." Tortelli said. "It could be a little bit low and It hits the brace and nothing happens. A little bit higher and it cuts the tendon." Tortelli tried riding. then thought better of it. When he retumed to Time: 5 min.. 48.390 sees. 250 SEMI 2 (6 laps, 1-5 transfer): 1. Sebastien Tortelli (Han); 2. Kevin Windhllm (Suz); 3. JeanSel>llstien Roy (Han); 4. Robbie Reynard (YlIIm); 5. Doug Dehaan (Han); 6. Kevin Crine (Hon); 7. Jason Thomlls (Hus); 8. James Povolny Jr. (Han); 9. Jimmy Wilson (Yam): 10. Jeffrey Baker Jr. (Yllm); 11. Dustin Nelson (Yam); 12. Michael Kann (YllmO; AMA/EA SPORTS 250 SUPERCROSS SERIES POINT STANDINGS (After 13 of 16 rounds): 1. Ricky Carmichael (317/11 wins); 2. Jeremy McGrath (271/2); 3. Mike laRocco (233); 4. Kevin Windham (217): 5. Ezro Lusk (216): 6. Tim Ferry (163); 7. 13. Todd DeHoop (Yom); 14. Mork Burkhort (KTM): 15. Thomlls Kelley (Suz); 16. Joseph Oehlhof (Yam). Tune: 5 min., 48.450 sec. 9. Sebastien Tortelli (109): 10. (TIE) Damon 250 LCQ (6 laps, 1-2 transfer): 1. Kevin Crine Huffman/Michael Byrne (107); 12. Robbie Reynard David Vuillemin (135); 8. Stephane Roncada (121); (Hon): 2. Jeffrey Baker Jr. (Yam): 3. Jimmy Wilson (96); 13. Heath Voss (92); 14. Kyle Lewis (86): 15. (Yam); 4. James PoYolny Jr. (Han); 5. Brian Stone (Kaw); 6. Brian Mason (Kaw); 7. Ted Campbell (Suz); 8. Dustin Nelson (Yam); 9. Jason Thomlls (Hus); 10. Michael Kenn (Yllm); 11. Mike Katin Jr. (Yllm); 12. Jamie Brockmlln (Hon); 13. Jeremiu Israel (Han); 14. Bryan Piccirem (Han): 15. Charlie Jean-Sebastien Roy (67); 16. Casey Johnson (66); 17. Nicholas Wey (62): 18. Michoel Croig (60): 19. Steve Lamson (56); 20. Nathlln Rllmsey (5t). Upcoming Rounds: Round 14- Dallas, Texas, April 21 Round 15 - Sa~ Lake Ci1y, Utah, April 28 Dogner (Hon): 16. Todd Dehoop (Yam): 17. Mark Burkhort (KTM): 18. Thomas Kelley (Suz); 19. Marco Dube (KTM); 20. Thomlls Hofmaster (Yllm); 21. Los Angeles. his doctor stitched him up. On Tuesday, he tried riding at the Honda test track. The initial laps were to adjust a kneepad so that it wouldn't touch his stitches. He rode all day Wednesday and felt fine. "Imagine myself being cut open four days earlier. I was as fine as I could be." he said. Tortelli's French orthopedist. Jean Savoca. flew in from Lyons. France. for the weekend. Tortelli said that today was the first day he felt comfortable riding. -I'm still scared a little bit with it, but thafs normal," he said. Team Chevy Trucks Kawasaki's Stephane Roncada made his retum at Pontiac. a month after injuring both heels and ankles in a first·lap crash in the Daytona Supercross. "Both are still pretty sore." Roncada said. ··Finally. I'm able to walk normally and put some pressure on my feet." The Frenchman had begun riding on the Tuesday prior to the race, testing the KX250 he'lI ride in the outdoor nationals. He rode his Supercross machine on Wednesday and Thursday, though he'd decided on Tuesday that he was up to racing. "I didn't want to come earlier." he said. -I was riding badly and I'm not in the Championship. - Roncada said that he'd had special inserts made for his Sidi boots. but he still had to change his riding style when he got to Pontiac. "I have to sit down a little bit higher in the comers. I can't land off the big jumps like I'm used to. I had to land on the front of my feet, then slide my foot backwards. I've adjusted a few things. Ifs not a big deal." Team Chevy Trucks Kawasaki and SFX came up with a plan for handling the ever-increasing crowds who show up for the afternoon autograph sessions. They handed out 175 tickets. which entitled the holder to stand in line and get autographs from Ricky Carmichael and Stephane Roncada. The plan worl

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