Ricky Carmichael kept his incredible perfect 2002 National Championship Motocross Series intact today, winning both motos of the Troy, Ohio, round and pushing his tally to 14 wins in 14 motos. The Team Honda rider was dominant on the jump-filled, supercross-style track, gating well both times out and winning the second moto by an incredible 38 seconds. The prospect of a perfect season is beginning to look more and more like a possibility.
Second on the day was Carmichael’s French teammate, Sebastien Tortelli, who was runner-up both times out. Third went to Chevy Trucks Kawasaki’s Ezra Lusk, with Amsoil/Dr. Martens/Journeys/Competition Accessories’ Mike LaRocco taking fourth on the CRF450R four-stroke.
Nearly as dominant was Carmichael’s fellow Floridian, James Stewart Jr. The Chevy Trucks Kawasaki rider topped both 125cc motos to extend his lead in the points standings. Blimpie Suzuki had a good showing, with Branden Jesseman and Danny Smith both making the podium in second and third, respectively. Honda’s Ernesto Fonseca and Ohio’s own Brock Sellards, of KTM Red Bull, completed the top five.
The Troy round wasn’t kind to four-stroke riders (apart from LaRocco), as Boost Mobile/Yamaha/Troy Racing’s Chad Reed had problems while running second in the first 125cc moto and was out of the top 20 on his YZ250F. The Australian rebounded to finish second in moto two. In the 250cc ranks, Team Honda’s Nathan Ramsey crashed while running second in moto one and failed to finish. In the second moto, he stalled at the start.
