No More Reason to Really Wonder

Many wondered whether he would return this season in top form, after taking last season off to recuperate from knee surgery.

They questioned whether he would be able to hold off James “Bubba” Stewart Jr., the 250cc rookie who had broken so many of his 125cc division records.

Also debated was how well he would handle the switch from a Honda to a Suzuki.

But for Ricky Carmichael, all of these are non-issues now. The Havana, Fla. rider, who has been in top form all season, looked as dominating as ever Saturday night at Angel Stadium, posting a decisive victory in front of a sold-out crowd of 40,050.

Finishing second was reigning THQ AMA Supercross Series champion Chad Reed, who was in a close battle with Carmichael before falling as he attempted to pass on a jump on Lap 5.

Carmichael’s triumph, his second in a row, propelled him ahead of Kevin Windham in the series standings -- Windham finished third -- and into the top spot in the series standings.

Moreover, it removed all doubt as to whether this is the same Carmichael that had won three consecutive titles from 2001 to ’03.

“When [Chad] fell it kind of took the wind out of my sails because I was ready to do battle,” Carmichael said.

“That’s no way to win. I got a present tonight, but Anaheim owed me one.”

Carmichael said that in reference to the muddy season opener, in which he finished third.

Stewart was a non-factor, having suffered a broken arm in practice last week at Phoenix. He’s sidelined for several more weeks and is effectively out of the series race.

Stewart was not in attendance Saturday night but is expected to be with the Kawasaki team next week in San Francisco.

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Reigning 125cc champion Ivan Tedesco started slowly for the third consecutive time but advanced steadily through the pack, took the lead on the 10th of 15 laps, and won the main event to take sole lead of the series standings.

It was the first victory of the season for the Kawasaki rider from Murrieta. Tedesco had been tied with Ryan Sipes of Vine Grove, Ky. Sipes took the early lead but finished fifth.

The race eventually became a duel between Tedesco and fellow Murrieta resident Andrew Short, with Tedesco taking the lead and holding it after Short landed poorly from a jump.

“I don’t know what’s going on with my starts,” Tedesco said. “I did about 200 starts Thursday [in practice] but it didn’t help. But I just rode a smart race until I was in second and then I just worked on Short.”