Below is a press release received by MD this afternoon from American Suzuki concerning the condition of Ricky Carmichael following his crash during the first moto at Glen Helen Sunday. Carmichael is the American captain of the Motocross des Nations team, but his prognosis (3 weeks of recovery) does not fit well with the timing of the race, scheduled for September 23 and 24 in Great Britain (less than 2 weeks away).
Apparently, there is no official “alternate” rider for the team, but Honda’s Kevin Windham would be a logical selection. Windham finished second to Carmichael in the AMA Motocross series this year, and has prior Motocross des Nations experience (he was a member of last year’s winning team, for instance). Although Suzuki’s press release appears to leave Carmichael’s participation in the Motocross des Nations an open question, it would seem that a final decision would have to be made quickly for logistical reasons (i.e., getting a factory bike prepared and sent to England on time). Stay tuned.
BREA, Calif., (Sept. 12, 2006) – American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) announced today that Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael is on the road to recovery after crashing in the first moto at the final round of AMA Toyota Motocross at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006, and injuring his left shoulder.
“I’d just made the pass for the lead and was going through a bumpy, fast section of the track and just messed up,” said Carmichael. “I jumped up as quickly as possible and when I tried to pick up my bike, I realized that my shoulder was hurt. I could barely pick the bike up and when I finally did, I couldn’t pull in the clutch. My mind was racing because, for the first time in a really long time, I realized that I couldn’t continue the race. Right now, I am doing everything possible to get this shoulder ready to go. If I can’t ride at the Motocross of Nations, I hope everyone will give their full support to the rider that is chosen to replace me. I’m so disappointed that this has happened.”
After the crash, the newly crowned AMA Toyota Motocross Champion was treated by the Asterisk Mobile Medical Unit and then flew home to Tallahassee, Fla., where he got an MRI. Initial results show some damage that doctors say will not require surgery. It is estimated that Carmichael will need at least three weeks of rehab before he can resume riding his Makita Suzuki RM-Z450. Carmichael begins rehab today at a sports clinic in Tallahassee.
“It’s too bad this had to happen right before the Motocross of Nations,” said Makita Suzuki Team Manager Roger DeCoster. “He wants to go, but he’s hurt. Right now, we’re just thankful for another great season with Ricky and for the two championships he’s brought home to Suzuki.”
Since signing with Team Makita Suzuki Racing, Carmichael has also won the 2006 Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Championship, the 2005 AMA Supercross title, the 2005 World Supercross GP title, the 2005 AMA Motocross title, the 2005 U.S. Open of Supercross and he led Team USA to victory in the 2005 Motocross of Nations. Overall, Carmichael has 15 AMA title and 17 career titles. He is also the only rider to celebrate two perfect seasons in AMA 250cc Motocross and a perfect season in AMA 125cc Supercross.
