Carmichael Beats McGrath for Second Victory in a Row

How fitting it would have been for Jeremy McGrath to win the 25th supercross event at Edison Field on Saturday night.

But the series’ winningest rider at Anaheim provided little more than a big tease, as Ricky Carmichael won for the second week in a row, taking Round 5 of the AMA/EA Sports Supercross Series in front of 45,050.

McGrath, the owner/rider aboard a Yamaha who won seven series championships, thrilled the crowd early and led the first nine laps.

McGrath has won eight events at Anaheim.

McGrath said before the race that he expected to begin riding more competitively after battling “arm pump syndrome,” a condition some motorcycle racers experience that causes muscles in the forearms to enlarge and harden, preventing riders from properly gripping the handlebars.

The first inkling that McGrath might be back on track came in his elimination heat, when he finished second to Carmichael and ahead of Team Yamaha’s David Vuillemin.

The heat was six seconds faster than the other heat won by Australian Michael Byrne.

Vuillemin, who won the first two races of the season, finished third and kept the season championship series lead.

Stephane Roncada finished second for Team Chevy Trucks Kawasaki.

Mike LaRocco retained second place in the series by finishing fourth, and Carmichael moved into third place.

Brock Sellards of Sherrodsville, Ohio, rider for Red Bull/KTM, got the second 125cc win of his career.

Finishing second was Chris Gosselaar of Juniper Hills, riding for Doc Martens Honda.

*

Martin Henderson