Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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AMAlTHG Supercross Series Round 10: Daytona International Speedway (Above) Ricky Cannichael (4) got a jump, but Larry Ward (not shown) got a better one. Cannichael moved into the lead on the first lap and never looked back. By KIT PALMER PHOTOS BY STEVE BRUHN DAYTONA BEACH, FL, MAR. 8 bv;ously, Ricky Carmichael loves Daytona. After all, his very first supercross win came on the infield of the world-famous speedway, and he hasn't stopped winning here ever since. Every time he wins at Daytona, he makes it look so easy, even though the track is notorious for being the toughest on the circuit - but this had to be the easiest-looking win here yet for the two-time AMA Supercross Champion. Carmichael was quite simply in a class of his own on this gray, drizzly day, as he lapped the larger-than-usual 3D-rider field all the way up to fourth place; the only riders he didn't lap were the two standing next to him on the Daytona podium - Chad Reed and Tim Ferry. You might say that this race was a yawner, just ask all of the rainsoaked fans that high-tailed it out of the stands before it was over, but it didn't really start out that way. Yes, Carmichael might've jumped into the early lead, but after Reed passed Larry Ward, who snared the holeshot, for second place before the first lap was over, the race started off pretty much how everyone in the stands had hoped - with the top two riders of the series running 1-2. Reed actually looked like he might give Carmichael a run for his money as he closed in on the factory Honda rider. After the first lap, Carmichael held a 2.6-second lead over Reed. On the 20 MARCH 19,2003' cue I • next lap that margin narrowed to 2.0 seconds and then to 1.9 on the third lap, but that would be as close as Reed would ever get. By the fourth lap, Carmichael found his groove and rhythm on the muddy and rutted-out track and started slowly pulling away from his Yamaha-mounted rival. By lap five, Carmichael's lead had increased to 3.7 seconds, and then to 4.8 seconds. Each lap Carmichael gained about a second on Reed, until he had built up his largest lead of 17.6 seconds on the 15th lap. Even though Carmichael was making it look easy, apparently it was not. "It was one of the toughest Daytonas I think I've ever ridden," Carmichael said of the track. "It kind of got one-lined a little bit." And lappers were a problem, as well. "The lappers were definitely tough," Carmichael said. "I just tried to do my best to get around them as quickly as I could so Chad wouldn't get any closer. Everyone has to deal with lappers. It definitely was a plan to get around them as quickly as possible." By the halfway point, it was clear Carmichael was going to run away with his fourth straight win at Dayn _ ... s Cannlchael'. fourth· stnIlght win at o.,tona tied Jeff Stanton'. record.