Honda Bikes Finish 1-2 In Minneapolis!

AMA / EA Sports Supercross Series Round 7: Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN,
Saturday, February 16, 2002

Honda Racing's Ricky Carmichael showed the Minneapolis Metrodome crowd why
he is the reigning 250cc Supercross champion. Heading into the 250cc main
event Carmichael had a poor start out of the gate, and had to fight his way
through the pack. By the 11th lap RC would take the lead and eventually win
by 4.5 seconds over Fonseca. This is Carmichael's 3rd main event win this
season and he now sits second in the standings, just 23 points behind
leader David Vuillemin.

"My start was not up to par tonight and that is so important," said
Carmichael. "I definitely had to work hard for this win by chasing through
the pack out there. This win is extra special because it wasn't handed to
me."

Red Rider Ernesto Fonseca was smooth in the 250cc main. The Costa Rican
native pulled out a fantastic start and rode a very consistent 20-lap race.
Round 7 marks Fonseca's 2nd podium finish of the season.

"My bike was working great tonight," said Fonseca. "I got a great start and
was able to ride my own race out there."

Round 7 marked the return of Honda Racing's Sebastien Tortelli. Tortelli
pulled the holeshot in the 250cc main event aboard his CR250R and collected
$1,500 from the Powerade Holeshot Award. Tortelli would finish in 8th place
for the night.

"It's great to be back," said Tortelli. "My bike is working awesome and I
was so pumped to get the holeshot out there. I need to work on maintaining
my race pace for 20-laps. Endurance is the key out there and the ingredient
to consistency."

Honda Racing's Nathan Ramsey had a tough night finishing in 17th place
position.

Amsoil / Dr. Marten / Journeys / Honda Racing's Mike LaRocco was running
inside the top 10 when Travis Pastrana crashed into him. During the
collision LaRocco suffered a broken wrist.  The incident was controversial,
and LaRocco despite his broken wrist made a point to speak with Pastrana
concerning safe riding out on the track. "The Rock" went to the hospital to
have further tests run, no other information is available at this time.

Amsoil / Dr. Marten / Journeys / Honda Racing's Michael Byrne is still
mending from his crash one week ago in Indianapolis, IN. No word yet on
when Byrne will return to race action.

AMA/EA Sports Supercross, Round 2, East, 125-class, Top 5 Overall Finishers

1. Chad Reed - Yamaha
2. Grant Langston -KTM
3. Steve Boniface - KTM
4. Mike Brown - Kawaski
5. Larry Ward - Yamaha

AMA/EA Sports Supercross, 125-class Point Standings, Top 5 Riders

1. Chad Reed - Yamaha - 50
2. Mike Brown - Kawasaki - 40
3. Larry Ward Yamaha - 34
4. Steve Boniface - KTM - 34
5. Buddy Antunez - Suzuki - 31

AMA/EA Sports Supercross, Round 7, 250-class, Top 5 Overall Finishers

1. Ricky Carmichael - Honda
2. Ernesto Fonseca - Honda
3. David Vuillemin - Yamaha
4. Stephane Roncada - Kawasaki
5. Ezra Lusk - Kawasaki
8. Sebastien Tortelli - Honda
17. Nathan Ramsey - Honda
20. Mike LaRocco - Honda

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

1. David Vuillemin - Yamaha - 157
2. Ricky Carmichael - Honda - 134
3. Mike LaRocco - Honda - 120
4. Stephane Roncada - Kawasaki - 101
5. Ezra Lusk - Kawasaki - 99
8. Nathan Ramsey - Honda - 87
9. Ernesto Fonseca - Honda - 71


Upcoming Rounds:

February 22, Atlanta, GA
March 9, Daytona, FL