Ricky Carmichael has completed his pre 2005 AMA Supercross preparations in perfect fashion by winning the second round of the World SX GP championship, at Vancouver on Saturday, the final event before the two series combine.
Honda’s Kyle Lewis grabbed the holeshot with new Suzuki rider Carmichael in third place on the opening lap. At the start of lap two, Carmichael moved into the lead and rode to his second consecutive victory.
Meanwhile, Honda rider Nick Wey made his first podium of the season with a second place finish and Damon Huffman took his CR to third, his first podium of the year.
"We’ve got one goal and that’s to be Supercross champion, and we have a long road ahead of us," said Carmichael. "I haven’t felt this good in a long time. Canada has been really great, and hopefully we can come back."
Nathan Ramsey, who won last week’s 125cc main event, also earned his second win in a row. Ramsey charged his new KTM motorcycle into the lead on lap three after a mid-pack start.
"I’ve never felt this good going into the series," said Ramsey. "These last two races helped me out a lot."
Kawasaki’s Jeff Northrop, who took the holeshot, finished second while Brad Hagseth brought his Honda home in third.
The first round of the 2005 AMA Supercross championship, and the third round of the 2005 World SX GP championship, will take place at Anaheim in January – and will see Carmichael face the likes of James 'Bubba' Stewart and reigning AMA champion Chad Reed.
250cc World SX GP results – Vancouver:
1. Ricky Carmichael, Suzuki
2. Nick Wey, Honda
3. Damon Huffman, Honda
4. Mike LaRocco, Honda
5. Heath Voss, Yamaha
6. Jason Thomas, Honda
7. Tyler Evans, Suzuki
8. Kyle Lewis, Honda
9. Josh Hansen, KTM
10. Erick Vallejo, Yamaha
125cc World SX GP results – Vancouver:
1. Nathan Ramsey, KTM
2. Jeff Northrop, Kawasaki
3. Brad Hagseth, Honda
4. Evan Laughridge, Kawasaki
5. R. Lockhart, Yamaha
6. K. Beaton, Yamaha
7. G. Crater, Honda
8. R. Sullivan, Honda
9. D. Ewing, Honda
10. P. Chamberlain, Yamaha
