Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

On lap five, Carmichael was over 10 seconds ahead of Boniface, who had another 10 seconds on Langston in third. Langston slowly began catching Boniface throughout the next few laps, and Brown was up to seventh. It took some time for Langston to catch Boniface, and Brown was catching both of them as they passed the halfway mark. Langston made a sweet outside-to-inside, high-speed pass on Boniface for second, while Brown had worked his way by Jesseman for fourth. Boniface was his next target. At about that same time, Langston began to notice that something was wrong with the rear wheel, though this information was not yet apparent to the crowd. "I landed pretty hard from a jump, and 1 could feel that there was something wrong with the back of the bike," Langston later explained. "The following laps, it just kept getting worse." Carmichael was now some 20-plus seconds ahead of Langston. Brown had passed a fading Boniface for third, and Jesseman passed Boniface next for fourth. With Langston now in his sights, Brown had only one thing to do - catch and pass his rival (and perhaps make Langston screw up badly). Brown pressured Langston heavily, and the two raced side-byside through the doubles before the mechanics' area. Brown made an outside pass on Langston for second as they rounded the turn, but no contact was made. With Langston now in third, all he had to do was stay in that position, and the title would be his, so the onlookers were wondering to themselves what Brown could possibly do. At almost that same moment, Langston's wheel began shaking violently, almost giving the impression that the bike had a flat rear tire. Things were rapidly getting strange to the point of disbelief, as Carmichael backed off the pace to see if Brown needed any help. As the two-lap board came out, Langston crossed the finish line with his rear wheel making a racket and shaking from side to side. Moments later, he stopped and dropped the bike and walked off the side of the track in shock. Langston dropped to the ground, calling to mind another Langston tragedy that happened earlier in the year when the South African crashed while leading the Houston 125cc supercross. After all that Langston had gone through during the season, having ridden with the pain of a severe shoulder injury, he now lay on the side of the track, helpless. "The wheel just deteriorated, and something like 15 spokes broke," Langston said in a late interview. "I tried to carry on, but I just couldn't. The wheel just basically collapsed." A lap later, Brown saw what had happened, and he knew that he would become the new 125cc champ. What he also knew was that Carmichael needed a few more points to grab the overall. With the white flag waving, Brown let off the throttle drastically and allowed Jesseman by for second. The position would be enough for Carmichael to score the overall. Ironically, Brown had just helped out Carmichael, who had been assisting him throughout most of the year, and especially in the last two weeks as the two trained together every day. "I was in second and saw what was going on, so I just let Jesseman by so Ricky could get the overall," Brown later remarked. It was an amazing finish to a dramatic year. "I just wish that my mom and dad could have been here to see me," Brown said. "Ricky has helped me so much, and he just ran me into the ground. My bikes ran awesome, and I've got to thank my friend and mechanic from England, Steve Henderson, who has done a great job all year." Carmichael summed up the day by saying, "Words can't describe how Mike is feeling right now. I've beat him into the ground during the last few weeks, and I told him that it would payoff. I'm happier for Mike than I am for myself. Grant's going to have a lot more time to win a title, and it's a shame that it happened to him, but he'll be back. He's a true champion, too." CN Steel City beeway Delmont, Pennsylvania Results: September 2, 2001 125 Moto 1 (30 minutes, plus 2 laps): I. Mike Brown (Ke..... ); 2. Grzmt Langston (KTM); 3. Ricky Cllrmichlllel (Kaw); 4. Emesto Fonseca (Yam); 5. NlIthan Ramsey (Ytlm); 6. Rodrig Thojn (Suz); 7. Branden Jesseman (Hon); 8. Brock Sellards (KTM); 9. Damon Huffman (Yam); 10. Larry Ward (Yam); II. Nick Wey (Yam); 12. Ivan Tedesco (Hon); 13. David Pingree (KTM); 14. Andrew Short (Kaw): 15. Josh Demuth (Yam); 16. Randy Valade (Hon): 17. B"'d Hagseth (Yam); 18. Steve Boniface (Han): 19. Michael Byrne (Han); 20. Kevin Johnson (Yam): 21. Ryan Hunt (KTM); 22. Malt Walker (Hon); 23. Scott Sheak (Hon); 24. Michael Brandes (Yam); 25. Greg Sehnell (Yam); 26. Akira Narita (Suz): 27. Casey Lytle (Kaw); 28. Jacob Martin (Yam); 29. Jeff Gibson (Suz); 30. Allfon Dieter (Yam); 31. Steve Andrich (Yam); 32. Danny Carlson (Suz); 33. Tucker Hibbert (Suz); 34. Josh Woods (Kaw); 35. Paul Veracka (Kaw); 36. Michael Campbell (Yam); 37. Levi Reid (Yam); 38. Chase Reed (Suz); 39. Josh Summey (Kaw); 40. Troy Adams (Yam). 125 I'Ioto 2 (30 minutes, plus 2 laps): I. Ricky Carmichael (Kew); 2. Branden Jessemem (Hon); 3. Mike Brown (Kew); 4. Emesto Fonseca (Yam); 5. Nathan Ramsey (Yam); 6. Brock Sellards (KTM): 7. Nick Wey (Vllm): 8. Steve Bontface (Hon); 9. Scott Sheek (Hon); 10. Ivan Tedesco (Hon); 11. Michael Byrne (Hen); 12. Damon Huffman (Yam); 13. David Pingree (KTM); 14. Rodrig Thain (Suz); 15. Greg Schnell (Yam); 16. Brad Hagseth (Vam); 17. Josh Woods (Kaw): 18. Paul Veracka (Kaw); 19. Ryan Hunt (KTM); 20. Randy Valade (Hon); 21. Andrew Short (Kaw); 22. Matt Walker (Hon); 23. Troy Adams (Yam); 24. Akira Narita (Suz); 25. Aaron Dieter (Yam): 26. Chase Reed (Sut); 27. Casey Lytle (Kaw): 28. Michael Campbell (Yam); 29. Josh Summey (Kaw); 30. Tucker Hibbert (SUt); 31. Kevin Johnson (Vam): 32. Grant Langston (KTM): 33. Jacob Martin (Yam): 34. Levi Reid (KTM): 35. Steve Andrich (Yam): 36. Josh Demuth (Yam); 37. Jeff Gibson (Suz); 38. Michael Brandes (Yam); 39. Danny Carlson (SUt); 40. Larry Ward (Yam). 125 O/A: 1. Ricky Carmichael (Kaw); 2. Mike Brown (Kaw); 3. Branden Jesseman (Hon); 4. Emesto Fonseca (Yam); 5. Nathan Ramsey (Vam); lAbove) Nearly overiooked In all the commotion was Ricky Cannichael riding out of class to collect the 125cc overall win and surpass Mark Barnett's record of 25 125cc career victories. Mike Brown aided In Cannlchael's effort. (RIght) Branden Jesseman saved the beat for last, turning In an impressive podium overall finish at his home National. Jesaeman was second In moto two. 6. Brock Sellards (KTM); 7. Nick Wey (Yam); 8. Rodrlg Thain (SUt): 9. Grant Langston (KTM); 10. Damon Huffman (Vam); 11. l\Io8n Tedesco (Hon); 12. Steve Boniface (Hen); 13. David Pingree (KTM); 14. Scott Sheak (Hon); 15. Michael Byrne (Hon); 16. Larry Ward (Yam): 17. Brad Hagseth (Yam); 18. Andrew Short (Kaw); 19. Greg Schnell (Yam); 20. Randy Valade (Hon); 21. Josh Demuth (Yam); 22. Josh Woods (Kaw): 23. PeuJ Veracke (Kew); 24. Ryan Hunt (KTM); 25. Kevin Johnson (Yam). AI'IA CHEVY TRaCKS 125« 0.5. MOTOCROSS C'SHIP SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 12 of 12 rounds): 1. Mike Brown (458/3 wins); 2. Grant Langston (444/5 wins): 3. EmeslO Fonseca (335): 4. Larry Ward (332/1 win); 5. Brock Sellards (312); 6. Travis Pastrana (311/2 wins); 7. Nathan Ramsey (249); 8. Rodrig Tahin (223); 9. Branden Jesseman (207): 10. Scott Sheak (201); 11. (TIE) Damon Huffman/ Nick Wey (192): 13. Greg Schnell (175); 14. Kelly Smith (161); 15. Steve Boniface (153): 16. Danny Smith (139): 17. Keith S. Johnson (129); 18. David Pingree (127); 19. Bobby Bonds (94): 20. Steve Lamson (90). Nearly two hours after Grant Langston had so cruelly lost the 125cc title to Mike Brown due to an exploded rear wheel, we caught up with the South African's tuner/uncle Andrew Langston at an industry dinner in the pits. The object of the discussion was to discover exactly what had happened to the rear wheel that basically fell apart in front of thousands of people just several laps before the KTM Red Bull rider could have realistically won the championship. "We run aluminum nipples on our rims over here, and they just aren't as strong as the steel ones," said a friendly and calm Andrew Langston. "In Europe. we run steel nipples and never have problems. App

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