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/128156
Carmichael can cross one of them off his to-do list. Now there remains only one. The Team Honda rider has started slowly of late, losing the first couple of rounds in the last two Supercross Series and last year's National MX Series. This National Series has been different, however, as Carmichael has yet to lose a mota on his Chad Wattstuned CR250R. Significantly, the win also proved that Carmichael is just as dominant in the rain as he is in the dry. Carmichael's first-mota win came in ideal, mid- 70s weather, but his second victory took place in rainy, muddy conditions. "It was a strange day," Carmichael said. "It feels awesome to win in the mud. I'm sure you guys didn't think I'd win in the mud, but I proved to you that I could do it. Lately, my motto has been to have a good attitude and get good starts." Carmichael didn't follow his own advice in the second mota, as he had to work up from around eighth or so (Left) Two rounds into the outdoor series, Rlcq Cannlchael has a perfect four moto wins to match his racing number. The champ is quickly pulling away In the standings_ (Above) Homeboy Steve Lamson (6) led the pack earty In moto one, but tweaked his leg and pulled out soon after. The second moto took place in much wetter conditions. after spinning his rear tire on the concrete start pad; he only took the lead on the fifth of 13 laps, but he had pretty much led the entire 15-lap first mota before that (the first lap being the only exception). The other two overall podium positions were filled by Team Yamaha, with second-place David Vuillemin and third-place Timmy Ferry each getting a second- and a third-place mota finish. The two actually battled each other in both matos, with Frenchman Vuillemin getting by late in the sloppy second outing to secure the higher overall position. Ironically, each rider finished worse in the mota in which he started better. cue I .. "' went flying off the track, and it's a miracle I didn't crash," Ferry said of the mistake that allowed Vuillemin by. "' actually did fall with about four or five laps left to go. Ezra [LuskJ passed me, but I got back by him. Me and RC on the podium again." "I had to take my goggles off quick," Vuillemin said of the second mota, in which he turned some very impressive lap times. "I was very far back, and I caught up pretty good. I had a hard time with Kyle Lewis, and I had to close my eyes. He had to let me by, because when I passed him, I pulled away. With a better start, I think I could have won." Fourth place was taken by roundone runner-up Sebastien Tortelli; the Team Honda rider lost his front brake in mota two but still managed 4-5 finishes. Chevy Trucks Kawasaki's Ezra Lusk was next, with a strong motatwo fourth-place ride in the mud. Taking sixth was 1991 Hangtown winner John Dowd, on a Cernic's/PC Worldwide KTM, and seventh went to n .. _ S • MAy 29, 2002 23