Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

AMA EA Sports Supercross Series Round 6: RCA Dome Zeb Annstrong (Yam); 15. Daniel Blair (Yam); 16. RCA Dam. Indill......lis, Indiana Results: Fabruary 9, zaaz (Haand I at 1II Clork Stiles (Vom). Tune: 5 min., 06.990 250 LCQ (6 laps; 1-2 transfer): I. Isoioh Johnson (Suz); 2. Brian Mason (Kaw); 3. Jeremies Israel (Hon); 4. Damien Plotts (Hon); 5. Barry Cersten (Suz); 6. Clerk Stiles (Yam); 7. David Oettel 250 HEAT 1 (8 laps; 1-4 transfer): 1. Ricky Cermichael (Hon); 2. Stephene Roncada (Kaw); 3. Mike LeRocco (Hon); 4. Heeth Voss (Hon); 5. Robbie Reynard (Hon); 6. Nll:than Ramsey (Hon); 7. Keith Johnson (Yam); 8. ISlIieh Johnson (Suz); 9. Kevin Crine (Hon); 10. Michoel Brondes (Suz); II. Jimmy (Hus); 8. Molt Shue (KTM); 9. Jomes Povolny (Hon); 10. Kris Popworth (Kow); 11. Zeb Armstrong (Vom); 12. Kris Swonoy (Hon); 13. Michoel Koch (Vom); 14. Joson Upshow (Hon); 15. Jimmy Wilson (Vom); 16. Wilson (Vom); 12. Nick Wey (Vom); 13. Kris Daniel Blair (YlIm); 17. Billy Binckley (Yam); 18. Mark Burkhart (Yam); 19. Christopher Whitcraft (Suz); 20. Jason Frenette (Hon); 21. Michael Brllndes Papworth (Kaw); 14. BOllin Mason (Kaw); 15. Michael Koch (Yam); 16. Kris Swaney (Hon): 17. Jason Upshow (Hon); 18. Mork Burkhort (Vom); 19. Billy (SUl). Time: 5 min., 26.260 sec. 250 MAIN: I. Oovid Yuillemin (Vom); 2. Ricky Carmichael (Hon); 3. Stephane Roncada (K2Iw); 4. Nathan Remsey (Hon); 5. Mike Larocco (Hon); 6. Ezre Lusk (Kaw); 7. Jeremy McGrath (Yam); 8. Travis Pastrana (Suz); 9. Heath Voss (Hon); 10. Damon Huffman (Suz); 11. Nicholas Wey (Yam): 12. Jean Sebastien Roy (Hon); 13. Keith Johnson (Yam); 14. Robbie Reynard (Hon); 15. Kyle Lewis (Hon); 16. Isaiah Johnson (Suz); 17. Brian Mason (K~w); 18. Emesto Fonseca (Hon); 19. Jeff Gibson (Y~m); 20. Kevin Crlne (Hon). Time: l7 mins., 31.950 sec. Binckley (YDm); 20. Berry Carsten (Suz). Time: 6 min., 46.280 sec. 250 HEAT 2 (8 lops; 1-4 transfer): I. Jeremy McGrlIth (Yam); 2. David VuiUemin (Yam); 3. Travis PlIStrana (Suz); 4. Jean-Sebastien Roy (Hon); 5. Damon Huffman (Suz); 6. Kyle lewis (Hon); 7. Ezre Lusk (Kaw); 8. Jllmes Povolny Jr. (Hon); 9. Ted Compbell (Su.); 10. Oovid Oettel (Hus); II. Jeremias Israel (Hon); 12. Mett Shue (KTM); 13. Jason Frenette (Hon); 14. Damien Plotts (Hon); 15. Zeb Armstrong (Yam); Hi. Christopher Whitcraft (So2); 17. Clark Stiles (Yam): lB. Daniel Blair (Yam); 19. Em..lo Fonseco (Hon); 20. Jeff Gibson (Vom). Time: 6 min., 47.230 sec. 250 SEMI 1 (6 laps; 1-5 transfer): 1. Nathan Ramsey (Hon); 2. Robbie Reynard (Hon); 3. Nicholas Wey (Yam); 4. Keith Johnson (Yam); 5. Kevin Crine (Hon); 6. Brian Mason (Kaw); 7. Michael Brendes (Suz); 8. Jason Upshaw (Hon); 9. Isajah Johnson (Yam); 10. Kris Papworth (Kaw); 11. Billy Binckley (Yam); 12. Krls Swaney (Hon); 13. Micheel Koch (Yam);14. Jimmy Wilson (Yam); 15. Barry Carsten AMA/EA SPORTS 250co SUPERCROSS C'SHIP POINTS STANDINGS (After 6 of t6 rounds): 1. David Vuillemln (137/3 wins); 2. Mike L~Rocco (119/1 win); 3. Ricky Cormichoel (109/2 Wins); 4. Travis Pastrana (93): 5. (TIE) Ezra Lusk/Nathan Remsey/Stephane Ronc~da (83); 8. Jeremy McGreth David Vuillemin celebrates his straight-fight victory over Ricky Carmichael. The Frenchman now leads the series points standings by 18 points over Mike LaRocco, and by 28 points over Carmichael. (75); 9. (TIE) Oomon Huffman/Nicholos Wey (58); 11. Heath Voss (53): 12. Emesto Fonseca (49): 13. Jeon-Seboslien Roy (44); 14. Kyle Lewis (31); 15. (SUl). (TIE) Keith JohnsonjlSlliah Johnson (8): 17. Robbie Time: 5 min., 6.830 sec. Reynord (7); 18. Brion Moson (4); 19. Jeff Gibson (2); 20. Kevin Crine (1). 250 SE/III 2 (6 lops; t -5 tronsfer): I. Ezra Lusk (Kaw); 2. Emesto Fonseca (Hon); 3. Damon Huffmlln (SUl); 4. Kyle Lewis (Hon); 5. Jeff Gibson (Vom); 6. David Oettel (Hus); 7. Damien Plotts (Hon); 8. Matt. Shue (KTM); 9. Ted Campbell (Suz); 10Jason Frenette (Hon); 11.Jeremias Israel (Hon); 12. James Povolny (Hon); 13. Christopher Whitcraft (So2); 14. Upcoming Rounds: Round 7 -Minneapolis. Minnesota, February 16 Round B - Atlanta, Georgia. February 23 David Vuillemin has won half the races run thus far. and those wins have come in good places. The Anaheim I season-opener is not only a high-profile event. but it was the first round of the Vans Triple Crown. The second round in San Diego (where Vuiliemin also won) featured the highest spectator turnout of the season thus far. and this win in Indianapolis was aired the next day on networl< television CABC). Also, Indy was important in that many industry personalities were present for the foliowing week's trade show - the biggest in American motorcycling. of rude. I never did something bad. I made a mistake a few years ago, an article in a French magazine with Jeremy [Vuillemin made a comment about McGrath being money-hungryl. I made a big mistake. and Americans thought I was a bad guy. It is very difficult to come back and be loved by the crowd. This week, I asked for the opening ceremony that. 'Hey, why don't you say I am from Corona?' I live 11 months out of the year in Corona. I pay my taxes here, and I pay George Bush. I think I have the right to be part of the championship. This championship has so much hype that everyone wants to come - French. Australian. I think Americans must be proud of that. The American championship for me. that's the world championship. The best riders in the world are here. - "Aggressive" has been the word most often used to describe the riding of Stephane Roncada of late, so it was no surprise when the Frenchman eamed a talk at Indy from AMA MX Manager Duke Finch. Obviously, "skiliful" and -fast" are also apt adjectives to for Roncada's riding, as even with his toned-down Indy approach, he still made the podium. Shark/Plano Honda's Scott Sheak broke a bone in his hand during Saturday's practice session when he went down upon landing from the finish-line jump. "It was a weird crash, and it's a clean break and not real bad," Sheak said. "It realiy burt, though. At first I thought it was my wrist. bul it's just a bone in my hand. It could be worse, so... " Team Honda's Nathan Ramsey finished fourth in Indy, painfully close to eaming the CRF450R four-stroke its first-ever supercross podium. "I'm gelling close," said Ramsey. "I want to get on that podium soon, and tonight was one step closer. I know I have the speed, and my CRF450R is working awesome out there on the track. I want that podium bad. ' Max Pills Yamaha's Jeff Gibson became the third rider of the year to qualify for both finals. Isaiah Johnson and Daniel Blair both eamed the ironman award at Anaheim a week earlier, and like Blair, Gibson competed in both classes on Yamaha fourstrokes. After turning down several lucrative Arenacross rides earlier in the year, it looks like Gibson may have made a good decision. He finished 10th in the 125cc final and 19th in the 250cc dMsion. BRIEFLY••• Foliowing several rounds of the hard-packed soil for which the westem rounds are known, Indy's soft dirt was welcome to some, reviled by others. The three riders who ballied for much of the main event - Ricky Carmichael, Travis Pastrana and David Vuiliemin - are ali at home in the softer conditions, though podium-finisher Stephane Roncada is generaliy happier on hard-pack. The track eventually rulled up, and the grooved jump faces and landings proved treacherous for those not completely concentrated. "I don't like Anaheim dirt. - Vuiliemin said. "I like it in the afternoon, but in the main events it is like ice everywhere. I prefer here. It gets rulled and makes the track more technical and people are more tired. The stronger riders have an advantage." The tactical approach taken to the season thus far by David Vuillemin has been impressive, and Indy was no exception. The only rider to have made the podium at every round thus far (despite a couple of injuries - one which required a midweek trip home to France), Vuiliemin was fiawless in Indy, waiting until the very end to make his move. "I did not want to show Ricky that I had a faster line," the Frenchman said. "I wanted to wait until the final lap, and that is what I did. He was going to the outside after the finish line and I knew the inside was faster, so I stayed inside and made the pass. ' David Vuiliemin has been gelling some rather cool spectator receptions in the series thus far, despite such moves as wearing a Suns jersey during the opening ceremonies of the Phoenix round. "Being from France doesn't help, I think, " Vuillemin said in the post-race press conference when asked why. "I love how Americans are - they are very patriotic. I wish France was like that. When we go to Berey, Jeremy [McGrath] has the same popularity as me. I like the way they are, but sometimes they are kind 12 FEBRUARY 20, 2002' cue I _ n Ricky Carmichael explained that his recent resurgence has a lot to do with gelling comfortable with the CR250. "We've had the same setup since after San Diego. That was a big part." he said. "They (Hondal have so much stuff that they want to offer. I found something that I like, and I think it's good for ali the courses. I've had the same setup now and haven't changed one thing. I've got a setup that's going to be good for every condition - hardpacked. soft. Now I'm just gelling comfortable. Now I need to get a lillie bit stronger so I can win these things. They want to do whatever it takes. ' Team SoBe Suzuki's Kevin Windham showed up in Indianapolis, but not to race. Windham. who suffered a concussion at the Anaheim III SX, was on his way to see a specialist in Michigan on Monday. The team was awaiting the outcome of that examination before a decision could be made on his return to racing. Fast by Ferracci Husqvarna's Tyler Evans could return to action earlier than expected, according to team owner Eraldo Ferracci. Evans, riding for the injured Steve Lamson. hooked a footpeg on a hay bale at the Phoenix Supercross and was thrown over the bars, breaking his coliarbone. "He's back riding, and he's hoping to be back by next week in Minnesota." Ferracci said. After an extended rehabilitation, Team Honda's Sebastien Tortelli also may return at the Minneapolis race. The Frenchman had extensive surgery on his left shoulder in October, just after the outdoor season ended. The six-hour operation took place at his home in France. Soon after the operation, Tortelii resumed his cardiovascular training, though weight lifting and riding were out. __ s Tortelii was cleared to ride early in January, gradualiy progressing to the point that he's been doing fuli-blown testing the past two weeks. Though Tortelii has a residence in Temecula, Califomia. he also has a house in Gainesvilie, Rorida, not far from that of Ricky Carmichael, and he has built both motocross and supereross tracks. The Rorida spread is beller situated for the outdoor season (much of which is in the eastJ and the heart of the supereross season. Honda wili begin its outdoor testing by the middle of February. Team Honda's Ernesto Fonseca is coming to a television near you, if your cable system carries Univision. The nation's largest Spanish-language broadcaster recently spent time with the Costa Rican native for an MTV-style one-hour program, yet to be aired. The interest came from Univision because Fonseca is one of the few elite Hispanic motorsports athletes in America. What is that little hook on the bollom of the lower fork leg of the Yamahas of Jeremy McGf"th. David Vuillemin and Yamaha of Troy? It was apparently a device to keep the front end of the Yamahas down for the start. On the start line. the forks were compressed and held in place by the hook. Once the gate drops, the front end pops up. South Bend, Indiana· s Mike laRocco was preparing to celebrate his birthday just three days after his hometown supercross. The Amsoil/Dr. Martens Honda veteran - in his 15th year of supercross - tums 31 on February 12. Mike Brown, Michael Byme and Chad Reed all rode 250cc rounds earlier this season to prepare for the 125cc class. When asked if he thought it was helpful, Reed replied, "A lillie bit of my opinion was that it really didn't help me at all, because it shifted my mind to the 250 class. I really want to race 250, and I had some good finishes, and I felt that with a season on 250 I could ride with the good guys. I think me gelling hurt was not a great thing, but it was a good thing to get me away from the 250 and concentrate on the four-stroke and do the job that I have to do. ' Chad Reed also said that this win was the biggest of his career - including a 250cc GP win last year in the Netherlands. "Winning the Grand Prix last year, it was good, but I never ever dreamed of or never really wanted to go to Europe; it was just how it worl

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