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/128602
Pontiac::. Mt . February 1 S. 2CXJC) AMA/EA Sports Supercross Series Round 7: Silverdorne et you thought there wasn't a Supercross record left for Jeremy McGrath to break. Well, technically, you're right. The Mazda/Chaparral Yamaha rider has long since shattered every existing means mota historians have come up with for gauging domination (most Supercross titles; most Supercross wins; most motocross/Supercross wins; most consecutive Supercross wins; etc.). However, apparently oblivious to the quandary in which he's put us, the guy just keeps on winning, which means we'll just have to invent new means of measuring his talent. To wit: Jeremy McGrath's main-event win at the Pontiac Supercross this weekend was not just his fifth of seven races so far this year, or the 65th of his career, it was also one for the record books. That's because now McGrath has more wins in Supercross alone than anyone else has in all forms of AMA professional motocross combined. Bob Hannah - the sport's second-winningest rider - accrued over the course of his career a tota I of 64 victories in 250cc Supercross, 125cc motocross, 250cc motocross and 500cc motocross - one less than McGrath's 250cc Supercross total. The other thing that sets this win apart has nothing directly to do with McGrath. It concerns - literally - his competition. You've got to hand it to them, really. Despite McGrath's dominance, Team Yamaha's David Vuillemin and Team Amsoil/Competition Accessories/Jack in the Box/Factory Connection Honda's Mike LaRocco were doing everything possible to remain in the points hunt. VuiJlemin, in particular, recognized and seized upon rare opportunities, besting the champ on two occasions once when McGrath bent his brake rotor, and again when a leading McGrath went into premature cruise control. He was thus only 12 points adrift going into Pontiac, and LaRocco - via relentless consistency - trailed by an additional eight. It was good while it lasted. While McGrath utilized a pointer by team manager Larry Brooks to garner yet another main-event holeshot in Pontiac, Vuillemin and LaRocco were held up by a crash at the end of the extremely long start straight (probably the longest ever), and could climb no higher than sixth and seventh, respectively, by race's end. With the series not quite yet at its midway point, Vuillemin's deficit to McGrath is now 22 (165-143), LaRocco's 31. As both riders are all-too well aware, that won't be easy to make up. One duo's misery is another duo's rapture, as evidenced by Damon Huffman joyfully screaming waaazzzuuuppp! into his wireless phone in the Team Suzuki semi after the race. He and Team Honda's Sebastien Tortelli each scored their first podium finishes since early '98, and both were gla a finally break the ice. Also satisfied was another Suzuki/ 6 MARCH 1. 2000' cue I • n e wv s