resend - Honda Supercross report: LaRocco, Lusk return to Anaheim in third and fourth places

2001 EA Sports Supercross Championship, Round 4: Bank-One-Ballpark, Phoenix, AZ, January 27, 2001

For the second week in a row, Honda-supported Mike LaRocco carried the hopes of Honda Supercross fans on his shoulders, finishing third in Round 4 of the EA Sports Supercross Championship at Phoenix's Bank-One-Ballpark. Riding for AMSOIL / Dr. Martens / Journeys / Competition Accessories Team, "The Rock" got off to a less-than-ideal start in the main event. "I ran over my own foot in the first turn. It took a few laps to get back into rhythm. I could see McGrath but just didn't have enough laps to get close enough for the pass," said LaRocco.

Honda Racing's Ezra Lusk rocketed his CR250R to the lead in the 250cc main event and collected a cool $1000.00 for his effort -- all of which he would have gladly sacrificed for a podium finish. He was quickly passed by Ricky Carmichael, the eventual race winner, and later would succumb to Jeremy McGrath and LaRocco's late charge. "My bike was great! I just tightened up out there," said Lusk. "I was focusing too hard on Carmichael's lead and should have spent more time riding my own race."

Another rider who was trying to get his Supercross form back was Honda Racing's Sebastien Tortelli, injured at Round 1 in Anaheim three weeks ago. The young Frenchman electrified the crowd in his heat race with a strong 2nd place finish. In the longer main event, Tortelli struggled to keep his heat race pace. "My shoulder started to bother me during the main. I just tried to tough it out for 20-laps," said Tortelli.

Phoenix Round 4 Supercross 250-class Results, Top 5 Finishers

1. Ricky Carmichael $B!>(B KAW

2. Jeremy McGrath - YAM

3. Mike LaRocco - HON

4. Ezra Lusk - HON

5. David Vuillemin - YAM

10. Sebastien Tortelli - HON

EA Sports 2001 Supercross 250-class Point Standings, Top Riders

1/2. TIE: J. McGrath, R. Carmichael $B!>(B 92

3. Mike LaRocco $B!>(B 78

4. Ezra Lusk $B!>(B 67

5. Kevin Windham - 63

Upcoming rounds

Round 5 - Edison International Field, Anaheim, CA February 3

Round 6 - RCA Dome, Indianapolis, IN February 10

END