Ricky Carmichael and Ryan Villopoto lead in their respective classes of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF as the series makes its way to Thunder Valley Motocross Park in the Denver suburb of Lakewood, Colorado.
The July 23 event kicks off the second half of the 12-race championship, which has seen reigning champion Carmichael win five of the six outdoor nationals so far this season – putting him well on his way to earning his seventh straight AMA Motocross Championship. This could be the last appearance for Carmichael in Colorado. Earlier in the season the most winning AMA Motocross racer in history announced that he would race a limited schedule in 2007.
Last Sunday Carmichael dominated the championship round at Unadilla to push his series lead to 44 points over Australian Chad Reed of Team Yamaha. Kevin Windham is a distant third in the series, another 53 points behind Reed.
"I’m looking forward to keeping it going," Carmichael said of his current winning streak. "I like the track in Colorado. The elevation makes it tough. It’s hard to breathe so you definitely have to be fit and that all plays into my strengths."
Two of Carmichael’s main rivals, Reed and James Stewart, both suffered crashes last week in New York. Reed soldiered on to finish fourth overall. Stewart did not start. It remains to be seen what the status of both riders will be in Colorado.
Two riders surging coming into Lakewood are Honda riders Windham and first year AMA Motocross class rider Davi Millsaps. Windham finished second last week, his best result of the year.
"Things are starting to come around," said Windham, who took over third in the championship last weekend. "Every race we’ve learned something. It took me awhile to get going this year, but we’re moving in the right direction. It feels good."
Millsaps led both motos last week in the early going and went on to score his third podium result of the year.
While Carmichael’s lead looks secure in the premier class, things are in a state of fluctuation in the AMA Motocross Lites Championship. The victory in New York for Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Ryan Villopoto gave him the series lead for the first time.
