Carmichael rules SkyDome

From Clear Channel Entertainment

with files from John Hopkins



TORONTO, ON - Ricky Carmichael, of Havana, FL won the opening race of THQ World Supercross GP at Toronto’s SkyDome on his Suzuki Saturday night. KTM’s Nathan Ramsey won the 125cc main event.



Carmichael, who missed last supercross season with knee injury, edged out Honda’s Kyle Lewis for the holeshot award but was quickly passed by Lewis. At the end of lap 1 Carmichael secured the lead and rode to his first THQ World Supercross GP win on a Suzuki. Honda’s Mike LaRocco and Lewis battled until lap 6 when Lewis crashed over the finish line jump. LaRocco held on for second and Yamaha’s Tim Ferry made a charge at the end of the race to secure third place.



“I have good head start on the competition,” said Carmichael. “This race is important to me and the THQ World Supercross GP title is very important. I am going to continue to train and ride as hard as I can. It’s great to be back after missing the entire season last year.”



Doug DeHaan was the lone Canadian to reach the 250 Main and he placed 10th.



Ramsey earned the holeshot in the 125cc main event and led all 15 laps. Bobby Kiniry, who rides for Honda, finished second after chasing Ramsey for the entire race.



“My bike was great out of the gate,” said Ramsey. “Once I had the holeshot, it was all about riding smart. There were a lot of lappers tonight. On lap 5, I ran into my first lapper and had to play it smart.”



Ryan Lockhart completed the 125 podium. Fellow Canucks Simon Homans and Ryan Gauld took fifth and sixth, respectively.



Results

1. Ricky Carmichael, Suzuki; 2. Mike LaRocco, Honda; 3. Tim Ferry, Yamaha; 4. Heath Voss, Yamaha; 5. Nick Wey, Honda; 6. Tyler Evans, Suzuki; 7. Keith Johnson, Yamaha; 8. Jason Thomas, Honda; 9. Damon Huffman, Honda; 10. Doug Dehaan, Yamaha