The recent injury to AMA Team USA captain Ricky Carmichael and the uncertainty for him to be able to compete in next week's Motocross of Nations event at Matterly Basin, Winchester, England, has led the team to select an alternate for the squad, in case Carmichael can't ride. After careful consideration and logistical obstacles to consider, AMA Team USA has decided to send Makita Suzuki rider Ivan Tedesco, a member of last year's winning team, along as a possible substitute. The team's other two members -- Team Kawasaki's James Stewart and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto -- are confirmed to participate.
Tedesco, the 2005 AMA Motocross Lites Champion and 2005 West Region Supercross Champion, finished fourth in the 2006 Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Series before sitting out much of the summer with an injury. He has since begun training heavily for the 2007 season and will now assume the role as alternate. Tedesco will be prepared to compete if Carmichael is not physically able to race.
"I am working very hard to be able to compete at the Motocross of Nations event next week, but I feel that the best decision that we have is to send Ivan in case I am not able to ride," said Carmichael this morning. "Ivan has experience at this event and will have the full support staff from Makita Suzuki on hand to make sure that the bikes are ready for both of us. This will be a race time decision and Ivan will be prepared either way."
"This is a great honor for me," said Tedesco after accepting the role. "I love this event and will be prepared to back up Ricky Carmichael in case his injury keeps him from racing. I have been working very hard these past few weeks and look forward to the challenge. Like everyone I hope that Ricky is ready to go but want you to know that I will do my best if the opportunity arises."
"This is a situation similar to 1982, when Donnie Hansen, the AMA Supercross and 250 Motocross Champion, got hurt right before the race," explained AMA Pro Racing's Steve Whitelock. "The bikes were already in Europe, the mechanics were already there, and we needed a substitute to step right in and ride Donnie's Hondas. That rider turned out to be David Bailey."
"With the bikes already there, Carmichael still a question mark, and Ivan familiar with both the equipment and the team, he is our best option at this late moment," added Whitelock. "Ivan can and will do the job, if he's asked to race as he is already going."