Motocross Famous Riders
History - Facts - Winners - Riders Rankings - Riders Bios
Ricky Carmichael
Ricky Carmichael was born on November 27, 1979 in Clearwater, Florida. Carmichael is considered by many to be the supreme motocross racer of all time.
Carmichael began riding at age 3 and raced the amateur motocross circuit during his childhood. After a record setting career in the amateur ranks he made his pro debut at the last race of the 1996 season. He finished 8th overall in the 125 class which was enough to earn him rookie of the year honors.
From 1997 to 1999 Ricky won the 125 National Motocross championship, he also achieved the 125 East Super cross title in 1998, winning every single race.
His rookie season in 250 super cross in 1999 was less than planetary and resulted in several crashes and an injury early in the season. Ricky picked up his first 250 super cross victory in 2000 at Daytona International Speedway.
The 2001 super cross series saw Ricky dethrone Jeremy McGrath as super cross champion. McGrath won 2 of the first 3 races over Carmichael, but after McGrath's last win Ricky went on to win 13 races in a row. He won 14 out of 16 races and the championship. Ricky also won the 250 National Competition during the summer winning 7 of 12 races.
For the 2002 season Carmichael switched teams from Kawasaki to Honda. This was an unpopular move with many fans who thought the switch was motivated by money. Ricky claimed the switch was because of Honda's technology. In 2005 Carmichael had a rough start to the 2002 super cross season as he fissured his hand, Ricky then returned to his winning ways and won 11 races and the championship over David Vuillemin. Ricky won every single moto of the 2002 250 National Championship and recorded the first ever perfect season.
Carmichael won his third 250 super cross championship in 2003, although by a much smaller margin than his past two. He won 7 races and the title by a mere 7 points over Chad Reed. Reed had 8 wins. Ricky elected to sit out the 2004 super cross series in order to have knee surgery on an injury from the previous year. Carmichael and Honda were not able to come to terms on a contract extension and he signed with Suzuki for 2005.
Carmichael entered the 2005 season having not raced any super crosses in nearly two years. Later that summer, Carmichael nearly scored a perfect 250 National outdoor season again, winning every overall event and 22 of 24 motors. Carmichael also scored the US Open of Super cross title and led USA Team to a convincing victory at the Motocross Des Nations.
Carmichael is at present leading the 2006 AMA Supercross Championship aboard a 4-stroke Suzuki RMZ450. Ricky holds the all time record for wins and championships in AMA competition. He is indisputably the most dominant racer of his generation.
|