The 2005 AMA Supercross series opened this evening in a rainy Southern California at Anaheim Stadium. The 250cc main event was held in very sloppy, slick conditions. Suzuki’s Ricky Carmichael took the holeshot and led by nearly half a lap before crashing on a muddy hill halfway through the race. It took Carmichael a long time to get going again, and he eventually finished in third position behind the Hondas of Kevin Windham and Mike LaRocco. Windham takes the points lead into round two at Phoenix, Arizona next Saturday night.
Muddy races always provide unexpected results, and tonight was no different. Co-favorites James Stewart (Kawasaki) and Chad Reed (Yamaha) finished back in fifth (originally reported as twelfth) and sixteenth positions, respectively.
In the opening round of the 125cc Western Region, KTM’s Nate Ramsey took a solid win aboard his 250F, while Josh Woods (Honda) and Akira Narita (Honda) rounded out the podium. Last year’s champion, Ivan Tedesco, finished back in 8th place.
For further details, results and points, visit the official World Supercross GP site here.
