Rock Of Ages crushes the competiton at EA Sports Supercross Round 3 in Anaheim

Factory Connection / Honda Racing's Mike "The Rock" LaRocco proved that age
is only a number at round 3 of the EA Sports Supercross series. The
hard-charging Indiana native won the 250cc main event, and ended a
supercross win dry spell that has lasted almost seven years!

LaRocco started the 20-lap main event in 9th place and worked up through
the pack to take over the lead on lap-15. Rock kept his lead and crossed
the finishline aboard his Paul Delaurier prepped CR250R. The win marks the
first 250cc main event win for Honda so far in 2002.

"It was critical tonight to get a decent start," said LaRocco. "Everyone
seemed to be going fast. Once I got into the lead I tried to ease back a
little just to make sure that I didn't make any mistakes. Tonight was a
victory not only for me, but to all those who have stood behind me my
entire career. Hat's off to Honda for giving me such a great bike, it
rips!"

Honda Racing's  Nathan "N8-Dawg" Ramsey was on a mission in Anaheim. The
hard-charging Red Rider set blistering lap times and clawed his way from a
top ten start to 3rd place by the half way mark in the 250cc main event.
Ramsey appeared to be closing in on 2nd place David Vuillemin and 1st place
LaRocco. On the last lap, with two turns to go, Travis Pastrana made an
aggressive block pass knocking Ramsey's front wheel out from under him.
Ramsey went down and eventually crossed the finishline in 5th place
position. Pastrana would go on to claim the final podium spot.

"I felt solid out there," said Ramsey. "My race pace was consistent and I
felt really comfortable out on the race track. My CRF450R was working
awesome and I could taste that 3rd place position. I know I can run with
the leaders. Tonight I proved that not only to myself, but also to my
competition. Next week's Phoenix Supercross is going to be a battle."

Honda Racing's Sebastien Tortelli and Ernesto Fonseca were absent on the
race track due to injuries. Tortelli is out mending a shoulder and should
return to race action sometime in February. Fonseca missed round 3 due to
an injured ligament in his right arm sustained in a practice crash last
week in San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium. Fonseca is scheduled to return next
week in Phoenix.

EA Sports Supercross, Round 3, 250-class, Top 5 Overall Finishers

1. Mike LaRocco - Honda
2. David Vuillemin - Yamaha
3. Travis Pastrana - Suzuki
4. Ricky Carmichael - Honda
5. Nathan Ramsey - Honda


AMA/EA Sports Supercross 250-class Point Standings, Top 5 Riders

1. David Vuillemin - Yamaha - 72
2. Mike LaRocco - Honda - 67
3. Ezra Lusk - Kawasaki - 45
4. Travis Pastrana - Suzuki - 44
5. Chad Reed - Yamaha - 44
6. Kevin Windham - Suzuki - 39
7. Ricky Carmichael - Honda - 37
8. Nathan Ramsey - Honda - 33
16. Ernesto Fonseca - Honda - 20


Upcoming Rounds:

January 26, Phoenix, AZ
February 2, Anaheim, CA