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/128405
en it co to longevity, Mike La occo is The Man. At 3 years of age, "The Ro, k," as he is affection tely called, is about to begin his 19th ye r on the AMA Supercross circuit. He is the only rider to win a Supercross main event in three separate decades, and he's the only rider to reach the milestone of making 200 Supercross starts. As LaRocco enters the upcoming Supercross season, the Supercross veteran is no longer considered one of the title favorites. But he doesn't mind. Instead, he just boots up and brings everything he's got to every race; he's not afraid to knock handlebars with anyone. And instead of being the guy who fades halfway through the race, the supposedly worn-out "old guy" only gets stronger and faster as things move along, many times clicking lap times quicker than anyone else's late in the race, which is a true testament of his work ethic and fitness level. We recently caught up with LaRocco as he was getting the new Honda CRF450R dialed in at Honda's test track for a possible 5upercross launch in Toronto. thlnas that are a little more Supercross, when you have a ow going, it feels cool to - fly all the obstacles. [It] looks effortless. S I kind of like to see tracks that aren't all preplanned rhythm - a little bit tighter, a little bit slower. At high speeds, it's so hard to stick a wheel in there and mix it up with another rider. When the speeds are slower, the consequences aren't so bad. Overall, I'd just like to see things tightened up, slowed down [and] kind of take the rhythm out of things a little bit. But for the most part, Dirt Wurx does an awesome job. Last year we had all that rain, and they were able to keep the tracks raceable, the ruts ridable. It's a tough job and it's hard to please everybody. W Will you be racing either of the Amp'd Mobile World SX GP rounds in Toronto or Vancouver? I do plan on it. However, between our new kid on the way and the project I have going with the four-stroke - as long as I can get there and feel that I'm ready to race, I'm going to go. But at this point, our track is closed for the week, being rebuilt, and I'm not sure when we're having the baby, so I've got to just play it by ear. If it all gets tied up in a knot, I'll probably wait for Anaheim. At 35 years of age, you're a hero in the eyes of those who used to ride, or who now sign up in the Vet classes at their local racetrack. Do you like being the sentimental favorite of the "old guys" that cheer you on in the stands? Yeah, definitely. That's one of the things that keeps me going. I guess I speak for everybody in that respect; it's one of the elements of racing Supercross that we strive for. I have a boy myself [and another child on the way], and you can understand where these fans come from. I work to be a good role model, but the bottom line is that these people really respect what you're doing, which in turn [makes] you feel good about yourself and what you're doing. What motivates you to keep racing Supercross? Basically I just kind of put in my time and try to make the cut. Really, all you can do is put in your hours of training during the off season, and when you get to the race, you find out. I still like riding motorcycles, and I see it as the same as it ever was: It's a challenge, and I'm out there trying to make the grade. Are you going two-stroke or four-stroke this year? Well, you know, that's a good question. I've been riding the four-stroke for the last week and a half with the thought that the thing has more potential than the two-stroke because of the way the motor's been developed and such. But at this point, I don't think I ride it any better yet. So I'm going to spend a little more time on it, and there's a chance 20 NOVEMBER 23, 2005 • You haven't raced but one National in the last two years. What having you been doing to keep your Supercross skills sharp? For me, it doesn't seem like I have so much to learn when we actually switch back - so that's an asset. But on top of that, it's about recharging your batteries. I no longer have to spend all summer trying to improve. However, it takes most of the summer for me to get to the point where I'm motivated to race again the next year. I'll jump on the bandwagon with the other guys. The four-strokes definitely have potential. There's been some talk that the four-strokes actually make the racing more boring. What's your opinion of the SX racing scene now that most of the top riders are going to be on four-strokes? They definitely make it more annoying, with the noise! It's for sure a different style of riding: more smooth, controlled power - where the two-stroke, you can fit it into a corner, rev it up [and] come out rewed up. Jumping, they're more nimble. But you know, it's just what's happening with racing, so you need to learn how to adapt, deal with it and move on. You're a heavy-equipment owner and a track builder yourself. If you could recommend any ideas along the lines of track design and possible change, what would they be? CYCLE NEWS Any new sponsors this year? There are going to be some changes. We're now the Sobe/Samsung Mobile/Honda team, so a couple of new sponsors there. Me, personally, I'm going to have some changes, but at this point it's too early to talk about. Other than that, the team's evolving. We'll show up with two semis instead of the three trucks we had in past years. Does that mean you will be sharing a semi with somebody? Yeah, can you believe that shit? [Laughs] Me and Windham, then the 125 team in the other truck. eN