Carmichael Takes Over

Cycle News Staff | July 24, 2000

At round eight of the AMA/Chevy Trucks National Motocross Championships yesterday in Troy, Ohio, Team Chevy Trucks Kawasaki’s Ricky Carmichael went from being four points down in the points standings to being eight points up. The Floridian capitalized on a twisted ankle by rival Sebastien Tortelli to win both motos, and with just four rounds remaining, things look good for the 250cc rookie.

Finishing second in both motos was Team Honda’s Kevin Windham, who rode well at the beginnings and ends of both motos, but had troubles in the middles. Windham’s teammate Tortelli fought through his pain to finish third in the first moto and take fourth in the second outing. Jack in the Box/Competition Accessories/Factory Connection/Amsoil Honda’s Mike LaRocco did the opposite, going 4-3 and taking third overall. Also turning in a strong ride at Troy was Chaparral/Mazda Yamaha’s Tim Ferry, who took the fifth spot via 5-6 motos.

In the 125cc ranks, Ohio native Brock Sellards, of Team FMF Honda, took the overall via 1-1 moto finishes. Sellards was in contention for last year’s title, but has had problems this year – until now.

Sellards is pretty much out of the points chase, but second-overall Steve Lamson isn’t – especially after this weekend. The former champ had a terrible race last week at Unadilla, but his 2-5 score gained him valuable points on rivals Stephane Roncada and Travis Pastrana – both of whom had troubles at Troy. Yamaha of Troy’s Roncada crashed in both motos and went 11-11, while Pastrana struggled with a malfunctioning power valve to take seventh.

Finishing third overall in the tiddler ranks was Branden Jesseman, with a strong ride on his Bill’s Pipes/Axo/Motorious.com Suzuki RM125.

Roncada still leads the points standings over Pastrana, 324-289, with Lamson lurking in third with 288. Results

250: Ricky Carmichael (Kaw) 1-1; 2. Kevin Windham (Hon) 2-2; 3. Mike LaRocco (Hon) 4-3; 4. Sebastien Tortelli (Hon) 3-4; 5. Tim Ferry (Yam) 5-6; 6. Robbie Reynard (Suz) 7-5; 7. Larry Ward (Kaw) 9-7; 8. Damon Huffman (Suz) 8-9; 9. John Dowd (Kaw) 10-8; 10. Greg Albertyn (Suz) 6-16.

125: 1. Brock Sellards (Hon) 1-1; 2. Steve Lamson (Hon) 2-5; 3. Branden Jesseman (Suz) 8-2; 4. Rodrig Thain (KTM) 3-6; 5. Ernesto Fonseca (Yam) 7-3; 6. Tallon Vohland (Kaw) 6-4; 7. Travis Pastrana (Suz) 4-13; 8. Nick Wey (Kaw) 5-16; 9. Greg Schnell (Yam) 13-9; 10. Stephane Roncada (Yam) 11-11.