Carmichael Crashes at Anaheim

Ricky Carmichael’s bid for a record-breaking 14th consecutive supercross victory came to a horrifying end Saturday night when the 22-year-old landed head first on the track following a crash in the main event at Edison Field in Anaheim.

Carmichael, the defending supercross champion, was in second place midway through the fifth lap of the 20-lap final, trailing eventual winner David Vuilleman of France, when he cleared a small jump and landed on his front wheel on the other side.

Carmichael hit the ground hard with his bike landing on top of him. He was down on the track for several minutes before walking away unassisted. He was taken to UCI Medical Center for treatment of a possible concussion and facial lacerations.

Carmichael, of Havana, Fla., rode a Kawasaki last season to a record-tying 14 victories, then swept the outdoor 250cc motocross nationals for his seventh national championship. Citing Honda’s edge in technology, Carmichael switched to the red CR last fall, shortly before winning his second consecutive U.S. Open of Supercross in Las Vegas.

Jeremy McGrath, 30, who received the most applause during introductions from the sold-out crowd of 45,050, vowed to retake the title this season and dedicated the off-season to conditioning. But McGrath didn’t look comfortable on the Edison Field track.

McGrath barely advanced to the main event after finishing third in his heat, getting passed by Mike LaRocco, 30, and Travis Pastrana, 18, who is beginning his first full season in the 250cc class. McGrath then finished 13th the main event.

Another crowd favorite was 16-year-old James “Bubba” Stewart, the first prominent black rider. Stewart, who broke all of Carmichael’s amateur records. while growing up in Florida, finished third in the 125cc class.