Yamaha’s Chad Reed
Ricky Carmichael is in his prime. He is the greatest motocross rider in history, and he is re-writing the AMA record books every year. He just finished a perfect Outdoor National Motocross series in 2002 — winning every single moto.
Carmichael was supposed to go unchallenged until James “Bubba” Stewart moved into the 250 class (probably in 2005). By that point, Carmichael should have the most important AMA motocross records firmly in hand, including most career victories and most national championships. He will still be in his mid-twenties, with several years left in his career.
Ricky Carmichael’s first-class ticket to 2005 just got yanked, however . . . by Yamaha’s Chad Reed. With his victory over Carmichael last evening in St. Louis (his fourth of the year, and his third against Carmichael), Reed showed speed, poise and consistency that belies his rookie status in the 250 Supercross series. This kid is so good, and rides so much like a young Jeremy McGrath, that we would have to expect him to hound Ricky Carmichael, both indoors and outdoors, from this point forward.
When Max Biaggi entered the 500cc GP class in the late ’90s, he beat Mick Doohan in his first race, and sporadically challenged Doohan that first year. Biaggi was already a hardened veteran, with several World championships, but he ultimately lacked the consistency to challenge Doohan’s dominance of 500 GP racing.
Honda’s Ricky Carmichael
Reed’s challenge of Carmichael in his rookie year in the 250 class looks different. He rides smoothly and under control, and his lap times stay remarkably consistent. His maturity is reflected in the fact that his rookie mistakes have been relatively minor (compared to, for example, Ricky Carmichael’s rookie year in the 250cc series). Indeed, there is really no question left but that Reed can push Carmichael, and push him hard. The real question concerns Carmichael’s reaction to the pressure.
Like McGrath in his prime, Carmichael is so used to winning that he seems flustered by Reed. Carmichael is facing a challenge he has never faced before and, at this point, it is Carmichael that should be the focus of attention. Rookies tend to get faster. Can Carmichael keep his cool, and raise his game to keep Reed behind him?
