Motorcycle Industry
Honda Racing's Ricky Carmichael won Round 15 of the AMA / EA Sports Supercross series, clinching the coveted 2002 250cc Supercross title. Carmichael rocketed out of the gate at the start and after a few laps behind David Vuillemin, RC made his move into the lead and never looked back. The win gave RC his tenth victory of the season. "My bike was awesome," said a happy Carmichael. "I never felt like I was pushing it out there, and when Vuillemin started closing a bit, I just put the hammer down." Carmichael gave Honda it's first 250cc SX Championship since 1996 when a young Jeremy McGrath won his fourth consecutive 250cc SX title with Team Honda. Honda Racing Sebastien Tortelli rode a fantastic 250cc main event by finishing a very impressive third place, and joined teammate Ricky Carmichael on the victory podium. "Tonight was a great night for Honda, " said Tortelli. "The track was really good considering all the rain during the day, and I felt totally comfortable. I am definitely going to use this finish as momentum heading into the outdoor motocross series." Red Rider Ernesto Fonseca rode great all night. Fonseca chased teammate Tortelli for most of the race and finally crossed the finish line in fourth place, giving Honda three out of the top five positions. Honda Racing's Nathan Ramsey came from a mid-pack start to race his CRF450R to a seventh place position for the night. "I rode my hardest out there tonight, " said Ramsey. "We have one more Supercross race next week in Vegas. I want to do the best I can at Round 16 and then focus all of my attention on the outdoor motocross title. Amsoil / Dr. Marten / Journeys / Honda Racing's Mike LaRocco is still recovering from a broken right wrist he sustained in Minneapolis. LaRocco is undergoing a strong rehabilitation program to get his wrist back to 100%. Amsoil / Dr. Marten / Journeys / Honda Racing's Travis Preston came into Salt Lake City leading the 125cc West Coast Supercross series by just ten points over second place Stewart. If Stewart won, Preston had to at least cross the finish line in fifth place or higher to claim the championship. As the gate dropped in the 125cc main event, Travis Preston fought to gain second place on lap one, and would keep that spot until the checkered flag. With fists raised in the air over the finish line jump, Preston won his first ever 125cc Supercross title. Teammate Chris Gosselaar finished the night in seventh place, and fourth overall in the series. I am still in shock, said Travis Preston. "My team and the guys at Honda have worked so hard this year, and I am pumped to be able and give back to them the championship title. It's a dream come true." Ricky Carmichael and Travis Preston became the first Honda Red Riders to win a 250cc Supercross title and a 125 Supercross title, in the same year, since Jeremy McGrath and Doug Henry back in 1993. Congratulations to their efforts as well as their entire race teams! AMA/EA Sports Supercross, 125 West Coast Overall Finishers: 1. James Stewart - Kawasaki 2. Travis Preston- Honda 3. Danny Smith - Suzuki AMA/EA Sports Supercross, 125 West Coast Final Point Standings: 1. Travis Preston - Honda - 152 2. James Stewart - Kawasaki - 145 3. Ivan Tedesco - Yamaha - 130 4. Chris Gosselaar - Honda 128 5. Travis Elliott - Honda - 100 AMA/EA Sports Supercross, 250-class Overall Finishers: 1. Ricky Carmichael - Honda 2. David Vuillemin - Yamaha 3. Sebastien Tortelli - Honda 4. Ernesto Fonseca - Honda 5. Jeremy McGrath - Yamaha 7. Nathan Ramsey - Honda AMA/EA Sports Supercross, 250-class Point Standings: 1. Ricky Carmichael - Honda - 331 2. David Vuillemin - Yamaha - 301 3. Jeremy McGrath - Yamaha - 234 4. Ezra Lusk - Kawasaki - 223 5. Stephane Roncada - Kawasaki - 218 6. Nathan Ramsey - Honda - 211 7. Ernesto Fonseca - Honda -177 9. Heath Voss - Honda - 148 16. Sebastien Tortelli - Honda - 106 Upcoming Round: May 4, Las Vegas, SX
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