U.S. Open Wrap Up and 2006 Supercross Preview

Many people see the U.S. Open as the last race of the season. Falling just after the close of the motocross season, it marks the last race before the three month "off-season" before Anaheim one. But for others, the it's is the first race of the upcoming SX season, a time to start with a clean slate, new bike or a new team. Either way, the U.S. Open is always a good opportunity for reflecting on the past season, and catching a glimpse into the upcoming one.

For Ricky Carmichael, it marked the end of his season—probably the most incredible season anyone in our sport has ever accomplished. RC racked up an astounding five titles in 2005, in his first year on an unproven bike. He took home the World Supercross GP, AMA Supercross, AMA Motocross, MX of Nations and U.S. Open Championship Titles. An unbelievable feat on its own, and even moreso considering Ricky was laid up in the hospital with 103° temperature only two days before night one of the Open. He was still recovering throughout the weekend—evidenced by his raspy voice and pale face. He kept saying how "exhausted" he was, his illness compounded from his fresh return from Ernee, France. Handicapped as he was, Carmichael rode like the champion he is. He finished off his season with a slam dunk in Vegas and walked away with a fat check for $100K.

Carmichael explained that the Vegas race is usually the first race of the Supercross season for him, but this one marked the end. Perhaps it was because he's been "wide open since January" without a break. Especially with the trip to the MXdN, Carmichael hasn't had a breather this year yet. But now, he's definitely ready to take some time off. "I'm not doing anything on Monday!" Ricky declared at the post race press conference, "I haven't gone more than a day without doing some type of cardio for over five years now (unless I was travelling or something)." But then it was back to testing on Tuesday.

Hey, even if it was only a day, Ricky can say it was the most relaxing vacation he's had in over five years!

Kevin Windham looked equally exhausted at Saturday's post-race press conference. He, too, was fresh back from Europe and the MXdN... flying commercial! His was actually a last minute entry after cutting it so close with the return from France. He wasn't originally slated to race, but a last minute push to get his bike, team and self to Vegas was successful, and Wednesday night made a phone call officially throwing his hat in the ring.

Chad Reed, on the other hand, was on the original lineup, ready to defend his back-to-back U.S. Open titles, but unfortunately had to sit out the race. After pulling out of the Motocross season, Reedy returned to Australia for some time off where he sustained an injury. Rumors said it was his ankle/leg/foot, hit by a car, crashed his bicycle, etc.

But Reed was still present at the U.S. Open where we caught him for a quick interview to dispell the rumors. Reed says he had "a bit of a run in with a car" when he was on his bicycle in Australia, and broke a small bone in his foot. It was this injury that kept him out of the U.S. Open. He admitted that he was bummed he couldn't race, but in accordance with his recently-acheived blingin' rockstar status, Reedy was still plenty happy to be in Vegas and ready to hit the casinos.

Carmichael was another one who was bummed Reed couldn't race. As much of a fan as he is a racer, RC loves a good race as much as fans do. He was also sorry to hear Stewart pulled out at the last minute (due to reported nausea and severe stomach cramps). "I was looking forward to racing Bubba," said Carmichael, "I just hope he didn't catch what I had because it was pretty nasty."

At Thursday's press conference, James Stewart raring to go and ready to turn over a new leaf after his tumultuous Motocross season. He had put the past behind him and was looking forward to a fun weekend. "I'm definitely 100% coming into this," he said. He had even announced plans to donate any winnings to hurricane victims, though he admitted he was looking for the win—not the money. Those present at Thursday's conference, at least had the pleasure of seeing him back in the saddle for a quick demo ride before he was carted off the hospital Friday morning.

New reports say that Stewart's physical conditioning problem was finally pinpointed after a stomach biopsy, which revealed a bacterial infection. Apparently this was to blame for his mysterious ailments ranging from nausea, stomach cramps and light-headedness. Luckily his condition is fully treatable; he's on antibiotics now, and should make a full recovery.

Kawasaki wasn't left empty handed by Stewart's absence. Michael Byrne was on hand to debut the KX450F, and surprisingly, to also keep Ricky Carmichael honest. From Thursday's practice, Byrne was looking super-smooth on the new green thumper. With only two weeks to dial it in, Byrne showed how much he had longed for a four-stroke, and in case we didn't notice, reminded everyone how hard he's had to ride to keep his two-stroke competitive in a sea of big thumpers.

Byrne and the Kawasaki team could not have asked for a better debut. He got out to an early lead in front of Carmichael in both night's heat races. The first time, he led RC for almost the entire first lap, but on Saturday night, Byrner held the lead over Carmichael for almost half the race. Considering that great performance with only two weeks to prep, and being the tightest (and probably slickest) SX track, surely we can anticipate seeing even greater things from Byrner (and the KX450F) next year.

Byrne took second overall for the weekend and definitely turned some heads with his performance, including Ricky's: "Michael [Byrne] really stepped up to the plate this weekend. He definitely gave me a run last night and in the heat race. He surprised me." Carmichael also had to tip his hat to Byrne's track ettiquite, "We both had opportunities to put eachother in the cheap seats," said Carmichael after the race, "But Michael was riding really good, so I had to be nice."

Such ettiquite (as usual) did not apply in the Lites class. Mike Brown and Josh Hansen were caught up in the fiece three-way battle for first during Saturday night's heat race, which inevitably resulted in some bars banging and tempers flaring. After the heat, Hansen pushed Brown, who then headed to the tunnel, motioning for Hansen to follow him. An "altercation outside the arena" ensued, and Hansen was docked two positions for it.

Lil' Hanny was consequently sent to the LCQ to qualify for the main, and was very unhappy about it: "If there's an altercation, Josh Hansen's in it, it seems like." After the incident, Hansen still put together a great ride in the main and came away with second overall for the weekend.

The Lites overall win went to Brett Metcalfe, who, like Byrne, was all praises for his long-awaited four-stroke. Metcalfe was asked after the race about the frustration of being on a 125 two-stroke at the beginning of the Motocross season. "I don't think 'frustration' begins to describe it," said Metcalfe. Content and now competitive aboard his YZ250F, Metcalfe took his first U.S. Open victory with a 1-2 finish for the weekend, "I haven't won a race in America for three years!" he said, "It feels unbelievable to win a race and an event. I'm on an emotional high right now."

Honda's Andrew Short, aboard the new dual-exhaust CRF250R, seemed like he had the weekend in the bag, as he was off to a commanding lead in Friday night's main. That was, until he mysteriously pulled off the track with apparent mechanical problems. The Honda team "couldn't say" what exactly the problem was, but Short returned full-force to take another commanding lead (and the win) on Saturday night.

What We'll be Seeing in 2006

More Four Strokes

The same prediction from the last three years: More four-strokes! It's clear that the thumpers have taken control of the Lites class, and both of the Motocross classes. If anything was left to the two-strokes' domain, it's the Supercross class. But even still, the four-strokes are coming. Ernesto Fonseca piloted the only two-stroke to grace the podium at this year's Open, and even he admitted: "Four-strokes are getting better—it's the bike to ride in the future."

Ricky's decision to race the RM-Z450 instead of the RM250 (though it was only because he didn't have enough time to start training on the two-stroke) has raised the question of what he'll chose to ride in the 2006 Supercross series. Chad Reed commented that he was surprised at Ricky's choice to ride the four-stroke at the Open. Reed admits he was a non-believer in the four-stroke revolution, but they're getting so good now that it's undeniable that's where the sport is headed.

RC proved that night that the big four-stroke was nimble enough for even the tightest supercross track. He confessed that the dry, slippery track was a great place for a thumper, and a good advantage that night. But he also said there were times he was wishing he had the two-stroke (which Roger DeCoster wanted him to ride).

But it seems like Ricky is still leaning toward the two-stroke for 2006. Comparing the hard-packed conditions of the Anaheim and Vegas Supercross tracks, Ricky was asked at the press conference if he thought the four-stroke would be superior there, as well. "I have to pick what's good for 18 races," Carmichael said, "not just Vegas or Anaheim one. Do I think a 450 can win a Supercross title? Absolutely. But it's a tall order and I don't know if I'm ready."

Even if we're not quite there yet, rest assured; it's coming: the day a 450 will have the Supercross Championship. Does that mean two-strokes will become obselete? No. Don't panic. There is plenty of truth to the phrase: "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday." But the bottom line is that consumers talk to distributors—not titles. If two-strokes keep selling, they'll keep coming. I doubt I'll ever see a TT-R125 win any AMA Championship, but that doesn't mean Yamaha's about to pull it's plug. Have faith in economics: If there's a demand, there will be a supply.

First the World, Now the US!

One thing RC kept talking about after his trip to the MXdN was how impressed he was with New Zealander Ben Townley. Townley, the former MXGP World Champion in the MX2 class (equivalent of AMA Lites), proved he was the only one who could run with Carmichael finishing second overall in Ernee, France. Those of us in the states can appreciate the skill of a rider who can finish between Carmichael and Windham in a moto.

"He has all the things it takes to be a champion over here, that's for sure" Carmichael said of Townley, "I was definitely impressed with him." Townley will be training with Carmichael in the coming months. The New Zealander moved to Florida and is living three miles from RC and the two will share the same trainer.

Chad Reed's got his eye on a newcomer to the states, as well. Fellow Australian Andrew McFarlane will be making his Pro American debut in 2006 in the Lites class. McFarlane and Reed grew up racing together in Austraila. Reed came to the states while McFarlane has spent the last few years in Europe racing the MXGP series. He was a front runner in the MX2 class (equivalent of AMA Lites) and held the series lead for a time. McFarlane is now making the move to the U.S. to make his Supercross debut and will be training and preparing with Reed.

Energy Drinks

The current energy drink craze has discovered our niche market, and they're all over it like a hobo on a hotdog. Now joining Red Bull KTM and Monster Kawasaki are other energy drink sponsors like David Vuillemin's Team BooKoo Energy and Mike Brown and Greg Schnell's Rockstar Suzuki team. BooKoo is taking it a step further and sponsoring an entire series: the Advanstar's K&N Filters presentsBooKoo Arenacross Championship Series (and you thought "THQ World Supercross GP/ THQ AMA Supercross Championship Series" was a mouthful).

So if your young ones aren't hyped up enough by the excitement, lights, roaring thumpers and WWE-Smackdown-worthy "altercations" in the Lites class at your next Supercross, swing by one of these plentiful booths for some liquid energy.

A Fond Farewell

Not another retirement... This time we say goodbye to Jamie Little. Jamie has become a fixture of Supercross in her own right in the past several years. Her career in live announcing began in Supercross, and soon enough, Jamie's poise, enthusiasm and incredible sharp knowledge led her to become the first-ever female anchor at ESPN. Last year she moved on to television announcing for IRL as well as Supercross (where her passion will always be).

The Supercross television broadcast contract now belongs to SPEED Channel (for the next three years), not ESPN. And it's through that twist of fate that Jamie now (reluctantly) says goodbye to AMA Supercross. But rest assured that she'll still be around at plenty of supercross and motocross events (read: Mini Moto SX), because no matter where her path leads, her roots will always be in supercross.

For more with Jamie Little, visit her website at www.JamieLittle.com.