LaRocco Rocks in the Metrodome

2001 EA Sports Supercross Championship, Round 10: Minneapolis Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN, March 17, 2001

Honda - supported Mike LaRocco put in an outstanding ride in the 20-lap main event Saturday night at the Minneapolis Metrodome in Round 10 of the 2001 EA Sports Supercross Championship. Known affectionately as "Rock" for his grueling training regimen, LaRocco put his conditioning to the test as he fought off charges by Kevin Windham and Tim Ferry early on in the race. As the laps started to count down and the checkered flag was approaching, the Rock's gap had closed considerably behind 2nd place McGrath. LaRocco finished 3rd for the night to take home more valuable championship points. The remarkable Ricky Carmichael -- who snagged his seventh consecutive victory -- and McGrath finished 1-2.

"I got a decent start off the line and after a few laps of settling in, I found my groove and started working on the leaders. Some riders made mistakes which helped me in the process, and I'm happy to put my Honda on the podium again this week", said LaRocco.

Honda Racing's Ezra "Yogi" Lusk was on fire in the main event. The Red Rider put together some scorching lap times right after the start of the 20-lap main. Lusk had a line in the long whoop section that jetted him around riders. One of those riders was 2nd place Jeremy McGrath. Lusk made the pass and set his sights on the leader Carmichael. Late in the race, Lusk hit a hay bale on the far side of the whoops -- Yogi quickly restarted and was gaining ground again when he crashed hard over a technical rhythm section before a triple jump. Lusk remounted but was shaken up from the fall. He worked his way back to 7th place for the night.

"The race was going good for me at the start. I was finding some really good lines especially in the whoops. Once I got past McGrath I was gauging my speed with Carmichael and knew I could reel him in. Man I could see victory tonight. It's frustrating because I was right there. I need to get out of these mistakes and continue to run consistent lap times," said Lusk.

Honda Racing's Sebastien Tortelli got a horrible start going in to the first turn of the main event. The young Frenchman fought his way from near the back of the pack to finish 6th for the night. Tortelli continues to gain confidence and is looking to put his Honda CR250R on the podium soon.

Minneapolis Round 10 Supercross 250-class Results, Top 5 Finishers

1. Ricky Carmichael $B!>(B Kaw

2. Jeremy McGrath - Yam

3. Mike LaRocco - Hon

4. Kevin Windham - Suz

5. Tim Ferry - Yam

6. Sebastien Tortelli - Hon

7. Ezra Lusk - Hon

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

1. Ricky Carmichael $B!>(B 242

2. Jeremy McGrath - 213

3. Mike LaRocco $B!>(B 191

4. Kevin Windham - 163

5. Ezra Lusk - 156

9. Sebastien Tortelli - 94

Upcoming rounds

Round 11 - Astrodome, Houston, TX March 24

Round 12 - Transworld Dome, St. Louis, MO March 31

END