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/128171
(Above) .John Dowd (UI) grabbed the holeshot In both motos, but Cannichael (4) won both going away. (Left) After stumbling at Binghamton, Tim Ferry returned to his usual fonn at Steel City, taking second overall and second in the year-end points standings. Amsoil/Dr. Marten's/Journeys/ Honda's Mike LaRocco was third overall at Steel City after turning in a pair of come-from-behind, 3-4 rides. LaRocco started midpack in both motos and battled to the front - just like he always does - and finished the season a solid sixth in points, in spite of sitting out the first few rounds to let his broken wrist heal. LaRocco will join Ferry and Carmichael at the des Nations, and he plans on returning next year with basically the same program as he had this year. "I struggled on my starts - as always - and had to come through the pack to finish where I did," LaRocco said. "I'm honored to be chosen for our team for the des Nations, and I'll be glad to be out there. Next year, I'll be riding the CRF450R in supercross and outdoors for our same team with the same sponsors." Sean Hamblin had yet another strong outing, finishing fourth overall with a 5-6 tally. Hamblin started inside the top 10 in both motos and ran up front several times before making a few mistakes and slipping back slightly. "I had a good year, and I think that it really paid off," Hamblin said of Roger DeCoster's decision to bring him aboard the factory SoBe Suzuki team following the injuries to Kevin Windham and Travis Pastrana. "I worked pretty hard this year and 1 can't thank all of our team sponsors and employees enough. I've got to thank Roger for giving me the chance, and now I know where I'm supposed to be and where I need to train to be there. I'm now going to train for 125cc supercross and hopefully I'll open some eyes there as welL" Nathan Ramsey's 4-8 moto finishes were good enough for fifth overall, while Cernic's/KTM's John Dowd nailed the holeshots in both 250cc motos and held on for sixth overall, posting 6-9 moto finishes. The "Junkyard Dog" rode his KTM 520 well throughout the day, finishing off the year seventh in points. He said he plans on competing outdoors for at least one more year. The 37-year-old New Englander keeps smiling and is obviously still having a great time competing in the Nationals. "I figured that I'd get some good starts here on my 520, since it's a dirt start and uphill," Dowd of his dual holeshots. "I got a little arm pump in the first moto and fell while running in fourth in the second one. I'll most likely be back next year. I'm still working on a few things, but it looks like I'll be out there [on the track again]." Team Honda's Sebastien Tortelli was seventh overall, and Moto XXX/DGY's Nick Wey was eighth, with 8-10 moto finishes. Canadian Blair Morgan and New York's Paul Carpenter rounded out the top 10 overall. eN cue I • n • _ os • SEPTEMBER 11,2002 15