Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

AMA EA Sports Supercross Series Round 10: Superdome Eager to make up for an off performance at Daytona, Stephane Roncada put In a strong come-frombehind ride to finish second. did: Carmichael said. "He kind of just putted around in practice, and in his heat race, he kind of acted like he was not feeling up to par. I looked back lin the main), and he was on my tail. " Vuillemin's riding was visibly affected by the pain, however, and he wasn't doing some of the jumps. The Honda rider began to pull away, and with Carmichael's win now all but certain, attention turned to the thirdplace rider, who had a gap to make up on Vuillemin. That rider was Roncada, who had advanced from a poor start and was making up ground on his countryman and former friend. He finally caught him on lap nine, and made a pass in a corner to take over second. Vuillemin and Roncada have clashed before this season, and Roncada has gained a new reputation as a rough rider. This particular move was definitely a block pass, but there was no contact (partly because Vuillemin - aware that Roncada was faster - was letting him by anyway). 12 MARCH 27, 2002' cue ... Yamaha team manager Keith McCarty thought it was out of line, and he made his feelings known to Chevy Trucks Kawasaki manager Bruce Stjernstrom. "He let me by - that's what happened," Roncada said later. "I don't know what went wrong with Keith, but I guess there's some anger with me over at Yamaha." "He turned his wheel to the right," McCarty said. "It was a left turn. Why was he turning to the right? To make contact." Carmichael had a comfortable lead on Roncada, but he wasn't able to increase it much. "I couldn't ride this track that hard, around the turns and stuff," he said. "It was sUppery, and you had to have a lot of throttle control out there. I couldn't ride hard. Every time I tried to push, Stephane would be catching me. When I slowed down, we stayed even." Whereas most riders were tripling into the whoops, Carmichael had been skimming them, but he switched when he realized that the former method allowed more consistency (he had gotten out of shape several times through the moguls). He kept the rubber side down, and pulled off win number six, with Roncada alone in second and Vuillemin third. "After the race, I almost passed out," said Vuillemin, who skipped the post-race press conference. "I was dizzy from the pain." Fourth went to McGrath, who although not happy with the result, was pleased with his riding. "Much improved this week," he said. "I had some great practices Friday. My left side is feeling really good; my right side's still bothering me a little. It's just behind. I don't think it affected me tonight. Overall, Friday and Saturday this week is probably the best I've ridden all year." Lusk recovered from his early crash to take fifth. eN Supenlome New Orleens, Louisiana Results: Man:b 1S, 2002 HEAT 1 (8 laps. 1-4 transfer): 1. Ezra Lusk KaW); 2. Timmy Ferry (Yam); 3. NlIthan Ramsey Hon); 4. David Vuillemln (Yam); 5. NIcholas Wey Vam); 6. Robbie Reynard (Hon); 7. Jean-Sebastien Roy (Hon); 8. Damon Huffm8n (SUl); 9. Joseph Oehlhof (Yom): 10. Joson Thomos (Yom): 11. Ted Compbell (sUl): 12. 2eb Armstrong (Yom); 13. Jason Frenette (Hon); 14. Brian Mason (K8W); 15. Mark Wundrack (Yam); 16. Brandon Butler (Suz); 17. ! Ronnie Ramiscal (Hon); 18. Kris Swaney (Hon); 19. Nick Walsh (Suz); 20. Damien Plott! (Hon). rune: 7 min., 41.370 sees. HEAT 2 (8 laps, ]·4 transfer): 1. Jeremy McGroth (Yom): 2. RJcky Cormichoel (Hon); 3. Stephone Roncodo (Kow): 4. Emesto Fonseco (Hon): 5. James Pavoln}' Jr. (Hon); 6. Heath Vosa (Hon); 7. Keith Johnson (Yem); 8. Iseiah Johnson (Suz); 9. Kyle Lewis (Hon); 10. Kevin Crine (Hon); 11. Jimmy Wilson lYam); 12. Tyler Evens (HuI); 13. Randy Valade Suz); 14. Kris Papworth (Kew); 15. Cory Young (Yom); 16. TIm Howthome (Yom); 17. Jeff Gibson (Yom): 18. Borry Corsten (suz): 19. Scott Metz (Hon): 20. ChorUe Oogner (Hon). Time: 7 min., 34.59 sees. SEJ't\J 1 (6 laps. 1-5 transfer): 1. Nick Wey (Yam); 2. Robbie Reynard (Hon); 3. Brian Mason (Kowl: 4. Ted Compbell (sUl); 5. Joseph Oehlhol (Yam; 6. Jason Thomas (Yam); 7. Damon Huffmen (SUl); 8. Mark Wundrack (Yam); 9. Damlen Plotts (Hon); 10. Zeb Armstrong (Yom); 11. Joson Frenette (Hon); 12. Jean·Sebestien Roy (Hon); 13. Ronnie Romlscol (Hon); 14. Nick Wolsh (sUl): 15. Kris swoney (Hon); 16. Brondon Buller (suz). Tunc: 5 min., 56.00 sees. SEMI 2 (6 laps, 1-5 transfer): 1. HC8th Voss (Hon); 2. lsoioh Johnson (suz); 3. Jeff Gibson (Yom): 4. Jemes Povolny Jr. (Hon); 5. Tyler EV8ns (Hus); 6. R8ndy Velade (SUl); 7. Keith Johnson (Vam); 8. Jimmy Wilson (Yam); 9. Scott Metz (Hon); JO. Kevin Crlne (Hon); 11. Kris Popworth (Kow); 12. Kyle lewis Hon); 13. Cory Young (Yam): 14. Tim Hawthorne Yam); 15. Charlie Degner (Hon); 16. Barry Carsten suz). Tune: 6 min., 2.16 sees. LCQ (6 laps, 1-2 transfer): 1. Jason Thomas (Yam); 2. Keith Johnson (Yam); 3. Jean·Sebastien Roy (Hon); 4. Damon Huffman (Suz); 5. Kevin Cline Hon); 6. Randy Valade (SUl); 7. Jason Frenette Hon); 8. Jimmy Wilson (Yam); 9. Zeb Armstrong Yom): 10. Scott Met: (Hon): II. Mork Wundrock Yam); 12. Damieo Plotts (Hon); 13. Ronnie RamascaJ (Hon); 14. Kyle Lewis (Hon); 15. Charlie Dagner (Hon); 16. Kris Papworth (Kaw); 17. Nick Walsh (SUl); 18. Brandon Butler (SUl); J9. Cory Young (Yam); 20. Barry Carsten (SUl); 21. Kris Sweney (Hon): 22. Tim Howthome (Yom). l l TIme: 5 min., 59.89 sees. MAIN (20 lop.): 1. Ricky Cormichoel (Hon): 2. Stephane Roncada (Kaw); 3. David Vulllemin (Y8m); 4. Jeremy McGrath (Yam); 5. Ezra Lusk (K8W); 6. N8than Ramsey (Hon); 'T. Heath Voss (Hon); 8. Nichol.. Wey (Yoml: 9. EmeSlO Fonseco (Yom): 10. TImmy Ferry (Yom: 11. Keith Johnson (Yom): 12. Jason 'Thomas (Yam); 13. James Povolny Jr. (Hon); 14. lsoloh Johnson (suz): 15. Joseph Oehlhol (Yom): 16. Ted Compbell (sUl): 17. Brion Moson (Kow): 18. Tyler Evons (Hus): 19. Jell Gib.on (Yom): 20. Robbie Reynord (Hon). TIme: 19 min., 18.99 sees. Wmner's Average Lap: 57.949 secs. Morgin of Victory: 7.92 secs. AMA EA SPORTS SOPERCROss SERIES C'sHIP POINTS STANDINGS (After 10 01 16 round.): I. Rkky Carmkheel (209/6 wins); 2. David Vuillemin 199/3 wins): 3. (TIE) Ezro Lusk/Stephone Roncodo 148); 5. Jeremy McGroth (144): 6. Mike uRocco 120/1 win): 7. Nothon Romsey (117): 8. Emesto Fonseco (107): 9. (TIE) Nicholo. Wey/Heoth Vo.s (104): 11. Trovls Postrono (96); 12. Domon Huflmon (94); 13. Kevin Windhom (62): 14. (TIE) JeonSebastien Roy/Micheel Byrne (56); 16. Kyle Lewis 55); 17. Timmy Ferry (50); 18. Sebastien TortelJi 49); 19. Keith Johnson (46): 20. Chod Reed (44): 21. James Povo!ny': Jr. (29); 22. Jason Thomas (25); 23. Tyler Evans (23); 24. Isaiah Johnson (18); 25. (TIE) Jefl Gibson/Michoel Brown (I2); 27. Robbie Reynord (11): 28. Brion Moson (10); 29. (TIE) Kevin Crine/Ryon Clark/Mlchoel Croig (9): 32. (TIE) Ted Compbell/Joseph Oehlhof (7): 34. Steve umson (6); 35. (TIE) Jimmy Wilson/Borry Corsten (5); 37. Jeremias Isreel (3); 38. (TIE) Daniel Blair/Ryan Terlecki (1). 1 1 Upcoming Rounds: Round 11 - Houston, Texas, March 23 Round 12 - 51. Louis, Missouri. April 6 7lDiJ@ g{§)®[JlJD@~ 111iJ@] {§)&JffD@@f? There's no New Orleans Supercross on Clear Channel's 2003 schedule, a move that really isn't a big surprise. Though it just hosted the Super Bowl, the Superdome has seen better days. and the market isn't a huge draw for supercross (since it's on the southern coast, the promoter can only pull from the north, and there's too much swampland for much riding in the area). This year, 35,249 fans were on hand at the 'Dome, not a huge turnout in comparison to the rest of the season. Part of the problem was that it was SI. Patrick's Day weekend (as well as early spring break for some college students), so many of the people were in town for just one thing - partying. Since New Orleans first began hosting supercross rounds in 1994, Jeremy McGrath is the winningest rider at the venue. In fact, the Califomian won every 250cc main in New Orleans until 2000, when David Vuillemln snuck in a victory. Ricky Carmichael won last year and this year. The 125cc class has seen a better mix of winners, with Damon Huffman and homeboy Kevin Windham collecting two wins apiece before advancing to the premier class. Also posting tiddler victories in New Orleans were Stephane Roncada, David Pingree, Shae Bentley, Travis Pastrana, and, this year, Chad Reed. The fact that the Superdome isn't on the '03 schedule doesn't necessarily mean it will never again host a supercross round, nor does it mean motorcycles won't compete under its ceiling in 2003. n • _ 51 The city has always been a strong Monster Truck market for Clear Channel, and don't be surprised if you see a New Orleans arenacross or freestyle competition next year. After all, 35,000 fans are still 35,000 tickets. Regardless of the pluses and minuses of the New Orleans Supercross. ~ party Mecca will certainly be missed by the mechanics.

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