Carmichael back in control as Reed crashes.

Ricky Carmichael has regained control of the AMA Supercross series after winning in Minneapolis last night - but only after race leader Chad Reed crashed... twice.

The victory was RC's fourth of the year, and was handed to him on a plate when the usually faultless Reed, fastest in the heat races and victorious one week ago, made a series of mistakes.

The Aussie gated third behind Lusk and Carmichael in the main, then shocked by immediately overtaking the Honda hero and setting off after Lusk. However, in his haste he fell from his Yamaha in the whoops - quickly remounted - then fell again just a lap later.

By that time he was well and truly out of contention, although a strong fight back left him sixth at the flag. Meanwhile, Carmichael had steadily closed the gap on Lusk, and passed the Georgian on lap six, whereupon he rode steadily into the distance to win by 8 seconds and take a 16 point lead in the championship.

Behind RC and Lusk was Tim ferry on the Yamaha four-stroke, Ferry rode a strong main, even overtaking team-mate David Vuillemin, to finally put an end to the bad luck and crashes he's suffered recently. Privateer Nicky Wey took fifth ahead of Reed.

"Chad (Reed) went by me pretty fast and I thought to myself that if he was going that fast and keeping his bike on two wheels, then he deserves to win," stated Carmichael. "I knew he was coming up on me so I anticipated the pass; otherwise he would have taken us both out. The veterans are on the podium tonight."

Absent from Minneapolis were Mike LaRocco, who rode the heats but was still not fit for the main and Stephane Roncada, who broke his leg badly in a practice crash [see separate story].

In the 2003 125cc East Coast season opener Branden Jesseman took victory to give Suzuki reason to smile after Pastrana, Tortelli and now Roncada's injuries in the premier class.

Jesseman dominated the main event from start to finish, with Brock Sellards and Michael Byrne completing the podium. The third placed Aussie had been the pre-event favourite after his strong rides in the 250cc class, but suffered from a first turn pile up.

"I have some pretty high goals for myself and that is huge motivation for me to win," said Jesseman. "I felt great out there tonight."

Race result - 250cc AMA/World SX GP Supercross Series: Minneapolis

1. Ricky Carmichael Honda
2. Ezra Lusk Kawasaki
3. Tim Ferry Yamaha
4. David Vuillemin Yamaha
5. Nick Wey Yamaha
6. Chad Reed Yamaha
7. Damon Huffman Honda
8. Keith Johnson Yamaha
9. Larry Ward Honda
10. Ernesto Fonseca Honda

Standings - 250cc AMA Supercross Series (after seven rounds):

1. Ricky Carmichael Honda 160
2. Chad Reed Yamaha 146
3. David Vuillemin Yamaha 127
4. Ezra Lusk Kawasaki 120
5. Tim Ferry Yamaha 114
6. Michael Byrne Honda 75
7. Stephane Roncada Suzuki 70
8. Nick Wey Yamaha 68
9. Heath Voss Honda 66
10. Sebastien Tortelli Suzuki 63

Standings - 250cc THQ World Supercross GP (after nine rounds):

1. Chad Reed Yamaha 204
2. David Vuillemin Yamaha 191
3. Tim Ferry Yamaha 180
4. Sebastien Tortelli Suzuki 121
5. Mike LaRocco Honda 118
6. Heath Voss Yamaha 111
7. Keith Johnson Yamaha 106
8. Damon Huffman Honda 98
9. Ryan Clark Yamaha 98
10. Grant Langston KTM 76

Race result - 125cc East Regional AMA Supercross Series: Minneapolis

1. Branden Jesseman Suzuki
2. Brock Sellards Yamaha
3. Michael Byrne Honda
4. Mike Brown Kawasaki
5. Kelly Smith Yamaha
6. Ivan Tedesco Yamaha
7. Tiger Lacey Yamaha
8. Brett Metcalfe KTM
9. Jeff Gibson Suzuki
10. Steve Boniface KTM

Standings - 125cc East Regional AMA Supercross (after one round):

1. Branden Jesseman Suzuki 25
2. Brock Sellards Yamaha 22
3. Michael Byrne Honda 20
4. Mike Brown Kawasaki 18
5. Kelly Smith Yamaha 16
6. Ivan Tedesco Yamaha 15
7. Tiger Lacey Yamaha 13
8. Brett Metcalfe KTM 12
9. Jeff Gibson Suzuki 11
10. Steve Boniface KTM 10