Carmichael Fastest In Sunday Practice

Kit Palmer | September 23, 2007

The morning warm-up/practice for today’s Red Bull Motocross of Nations has concluded. There were two groups: The first group for the odd-number finishers from yesterday’s qualification motos, and the second group for the even-number finishers.

Team USA was in the first session and, once again, Ricky Carmichael was at the top of the list, by far. His best time was 2:11.616, which was over two seconds quicker than Estonia’s Tanel Leok, who was credited with the second-quickest time with a 2:13.308. Right on his heels was Carmichael’s teammates, Ryan Villopoto and Tim Ferry, both turning in times in the 2:13 range. The only other rider in the 13s was Belgium’s Ken De Dycker in the MX1 class.

MX2-class rider Antonio Cairoli of Italy was sixth quickest with a 2:14.348.

South Africa’s Grant Langston was the quickest in the second warm-up, posting a time of 2:13.386, followed by France’s Sebastien Pourcel with a 2:13.689. Spain’s Jonathan Barragan (2:15.565) and France’s Nicolas Aubin (2:15.951) were third- and fourth-quickest, respectively.

Australia’s Chad Reed was fifth quickest with a 2:15.994.

You might notice that these times are significantly slower than yesterday’s times, which probably has a lot to do with the FIM telling track maintenance to leave the track alone. Most of the track was left untouched after yesterday’s practice and qualification, so the hilly course is roughening up and deep grooves and ruts are forming in some of the turns. The good news for the riders, however, is that many alternate lines are forming up nicely. The track is well watered.

Weather conditions for today’s race should be ideal: By midmorning, it’s clear, sunny and quickly warming up.

Good spectating spots are already at a premium, as the facility is already jam-packed with fans, and there is still two hours before the first MX1/MX2 moto.