Honda finishes strong in Supercross opener
2002 AMA/EA Sports Supercross Series, Round 1: Anaheim, CA, January, 5 2002
Team Factory Connection / Honda Racing's Mike "The Rock"
LaRocco came to Round one of the EA Sports Supercross Series in
Anaheim, CA with one goal in mind, win. The Rock was blazingly
fast in heat race number one, wasting no time passing Jeremy
McGrath, and eventually running away with victory.
In the main event, LaRocco jumped out to a fifth place start
and quickly began to pressure the front runners. LaRocco caught
up to Honda Racing's Ricky Carmichael who was running a
blistering pace. "RC" mis-judged a step-up jump on lap five,
and was thrown over the bars. LaRocco in the midst of
Carmichael's crash also went down. The Rock had to pick himself
up off the ground and charge through the pack. The Indiana
native did just that and would go on to finish the first race
of the season in an extraordinary second place.
"I got the start that I needed and was able to catch the front
pack early," said LaRocco. "I started closing in on Ricky, and
as we approached a difficult step-up jump out of the tunnel, RC
lost control of his bike and clipped me and I went down with
him. The track was deceivingly difficult tonight. It became
very slick towards the end of the main event and the whoops
were really hard to go through at a consistent pace. I'm just
happy to come away from round 1 on the podium and look forward
to Sand Diego."
LaRocco's teammate Michael Byrne pulled the holeshot in the
250cc main event and would eventually finish a very respectable
4th place position for the night.
Honda Racing's Ernesto Fonseca turned in an outstanding
performance with a 3rd place finish in the 250cc main event.
Round 1 marked Fonseca's first ever 250cc race, and "The Fonz"
proved that he is a force to be reckoned with.
"It was an excellent race out there tonight," said Fonseca. "I
didn't make hardly any mistakes and that was key on this type
of race track. My game plan was to be consistent and the
strategy paid off for myself and my Honda CR250."
Honda Racing's Nathan Ramsey started the 250cc main event in
top form. The likable "Nate Dawg" was running in 2nd place
until mistakes hampered his hopes for a podium finish. Ramsey
wound up in 17th position for the night. Ramsey is riding
Honda's new CRF450R in the 2002 Supercross Series.
"I really like the bike," said Ramsey. "The power is unreal and
traction that the CRF450R holds is just incredible. The first
race is always tough, but I learned a bunch tonight and we will
definitely improve next week in San Diego."
Honda Racing's Ricky Carmichael walked away from his horrific
crash but was taken to the hospital as a precaution. No further
information is available at this time.
Two-time World Motocross Champion Sebastien Tortelli underwent
shoulder surgery in the off-season to repair an injury that
nagged the Honda red rider all throughout the 2001 season. "The
shoulder is now 100%," said Tortelli. "I have been able to
train since November and I am already able to lift weights.
Hopefully I will be back in race form by February. It's tough
coming to the races just to spectate, I want to get out there!"
LaRocco and Michael Byrne weren't the only Factory Connection /
Honda riders to see the crowd from atop the podium. 125cc West
Coast contender Travis Preston won the first 125cc main event
in 2002, and his teammate Chris Gosselaar finished an
impressive 3rd place. Both riders were racing 2002 CR125Rs.
Anaheim Supercross, Round 1 250-class, Top 5 Overall Finishers
1. David Vuillemin - Yamaha
2. Mike LaRocco - Honda
3. Ernesto Fonseca - Honda
4. Michael Byrne - Honda
5. Ezra Lusk - Kawasaki
AMA/EA Sports Supercross 250-class Point Standings, Top 5
Riders
1. David Vuillemin - Yamaha - 25
2. Mike LaRocco - Honda -22
3. Ernesto Fonseca - Honda - 20
4. Michael Byrne - Honda - 18
5. Ezra Lusk - Kawasaki - 16
Upcoming Rounds
January 12, San Diego, CA
January 19, Anaheim, CA
