Adios, amigo...

Published: 13th August 2007

Author: Pondo

Ricky finally makes his bow on the AMA motocross tour - but only a fool would count him out for the des Nations...

Chronologically-speaking, the first event of the week was round one of the UK Floodlight Motocross Championship at Hopwood Motoparc - it should have been round two, but the incredible rain of the summer of ‘07 put paid to the inaugural round. But for once the weather was great, and a big crowd got to see an awesome line-up - even if Gordie Crockard was missing through injury, there was some premier British talent there, with Brad Anderson, Lewis Gregory, Alex Snow, Ashley Greedy and Mark Hucklebridge amongst the top home grown talent, not to mention Steven Clarke on his UK return from Loretta Lynns glory. Clarkey it was who seemed to offer the strongest challenge to Ando, the American Suzuki-backed youngster going big enough off the jumps to break a sub frame in practice, but his luck went sour big time in the races - two early crashes in races one and two led to DNFs and an end to proceedings for him. Instead, Bad Brad eased to three race wins, comfortably if not dominantly, notably ahead of Xavier Hernandez on the 250f in moto one, and AMCA Championship regular Clinton Barrs in moto three - Barrsy rode a blinder all night against genuine top ten GP guys.

Stateside, the National at Millville underwent a media meltdown before racing got underway - James Stewart’s injured knee made him a question mark right up until the gate dropped, but it seems likely that his innocuous Washougal off will require surgery and may cost him a shot at the des Nations.

MX2 saw Ryan Villopoto gate ahead of Ben Townley, but as the pair gapped the field, they maintained a very close and intimate contact - Ben it was who found the late race speed to creep up and pass his team mate for the moto one win ahead of Brett Metcalfe for a Monster Energy Pro Circuit 1-2-3, but it was a different ‘Poto who came out in moto two and just ran off and hid from everyone. It doesn’t change the standings much, as BT maintains his slender 2 point lead over Villopotato - but this one is going to go to the wire….

MX1 was another round of the Ricky Carmichael show - early leader Kevin Windham got swamped as the Makita Suzuki star ran off for the win at his last-ever national, with Grant Langston and Andrew Short following him past K-Dub for second and third. Moto two was red-flagged early on after David Vuillimin suffered a hefty early crash; the restart ran just as perfectly as it should, however, as Ricky ran into the distance one last time - even Mike Gosselaar’s “Why Stop?” pitboard message couldn’t halt the inevitable. With 150 AMA wins and countless other records to his name, Ricky Carmichael said farewell to the Nationals.

Browny took a double win in the MX2 British Championships today - the Tennessee feller took a brace of wins ahead of  Dougan, Greedy and Searle in moto one, after Tommy Gun took an early tumble, and held on to take the second moto as well, ahead of Searle and Doogs. In MX1, Ken won both motos, as Billy Mac and Bad Brad swapped placeS behind him for second and third.