AMA 2S0cc National Motocross
Series Presented by FMF
N
ot even a crash-filled first
moto could stop Team
Makita Suzuki's Ricky
Carmichael from winning
yet another overall this
season.
At the sixth round of the AMA
National Motocross Series at the picturesque Unadilla Valley Sports Center in
New Berlin, New York, the 25-year-old
Carmichael, once again, persevered
through challenges and challengers to
record his 21 st consecutive overall win.
The victory marked his fifth 250 National
win at Unadilla, and it also extended his
already huge points lead to the largest
midseason margin in AMA history. He
now holds a comfortable 71-point lead
over his nearest rival, the winner of the
first moto, Team Amsoil/Chaparral/
Honda's Kevin Windham. Also, the win
gave Suzuki its first-ever 250 National win
at the famous track.
While he did get the overall victory, Unadilla marked only the second
time in two seasons that Carmichael
has lost a moto. Windham was handed
the
first-moto
win
after
Carmichael and Team Kawasaki's
James Stewart collided and hit the
dirt - hard. Carmichael got up and finished; Stewart did not.
When the gate dropped for the fateful
first moto, Carmichael found himself in
14 JULY 27, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS
second behind the holeshotter, Team
Moto XXX's Justin Buckelew. Stewart,
Team Yamaha's Chad Reed and
Windham were all buried outside the
top five. It did not take long, though, for
Carmichael to move into first; he was
there after only a few turns. Stewart
also moved into second before the conclusion of the first lap and attempted to
match the fast pace set by Carmichael,
who didn't stay at the front for long.
Just as the I I-time National
Champion headed out for the start of
the second lap, he lost his front end and
went down, dropping him back to
eighth.
"I was coming down the inside,"
