This is a press release from AMA Pro Racing…
PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Aug. 15, 2005) — Fans coming to Broome-Tioga Sports Center this Sunday, Aug. 21, for the AMA Motocross Championship presented by FMF have the opportunity to witness Ricky Carmichael build on the longest winning streak in the history of AMA Motocross. Carmichael, the 25-year-old five-time AMA 250 Motocross Champion from Havana, Fla., extended his unbeaten streak to 24 consecutive national wins last week with his victory in Millville, Minn. This weekend in rural Binghamton, N.Y., Carmichael could make it an even 25.
It’s been over two years since Carmichael lost an AMA Motocross race. It’s a winning streak that many thought would be impossible this season with Carmichael riding the untested new Suzuki RM-Z450, not to mention the arrival of James Stewart to the 250 class after breaking many of Carmichael’s records in the 125 class. After nine nationals the Suzuki has proven to be a fast and reliable machine, Stewart has suffered a shaky start in the premier motocross class, but most of all Ricky has been Ricky – a rider who trains relentlessly and continues to find the motivation week after week to set the bar even higher.
The inability to stop Carmichael’s streak shows in the resigned statements of his competitors.
“Every time I find a second (of time on the track), Ricky clicks it up another notch,” said Kevin Windham, the second ranked rider in the championship and the last rider to beat Carmichael. “Racing for second place every week gets kind of boring. I just find myself racing against the clock. I’m doing the best I can and that’s all I can do.” Windham was the 250 class winner at Binghamton in 1999.
Carmichael comes to Binghamton undefeated in the 250 class at that track. He’s won every Binghamton 250 National since coming to the class in 2000. He’ll have the opportunity to make it six straight this weekend. The 40-year-old veteran John Dowd is another past Binghamton winner competing in the race this weekend.
Windham keeps plugging away and has been runner-up to Carmichael now five straight times. If Carmichael happens to slip up Windham is sure to be there to take advantage. Fellow Honda rider Ernesto Fonseca has come on strong of late, earning his first and second career 250 podiums in the last two rounds.
Kawasaki’s young sensation James Stewart has sat out injured since crashing when the series last visited New York a month ago. He was set to return last week in Minnesota, but suffered another injury in a practice crash in California. His status for this weekend is uncertain.
While Carmichael is almost a sure bet in the 250 class, the 125 class has been a little more unpredictable.
Monster Energy Drink Kawasaki’s Ivan Tedesco has shed his Supercross specialist tag and has built a solid 51-point lead after nine of 12 rounds. Tedesco has scored outside the top five only twice and has taken two wins to build his lead.
“Hot Sauce” as Tedesco is nicknamed, is one of six riders to win in the 125 class this year. Honda’s Andrew Short broke through to win his first national last week in Minnesota. Short jumped from fifth to second in the standings with the victory.
Mike Alessi, who’s in his first full season of AMA Motocross racing, is third in the 125 standings. The Red Bull KTM rider summed up the 125 championship: “If Tedesco doesn’t have a DNF, there’s probably no way we’re going to catch him,” Alessi said. “But all the top riders, except Tedesco, has had a DNF, so in racing you never know.”
The Binghamton AMA Motocross Championship races will be televised on OLN. Check www.olntv.com for show date and times.