by Davey Coombs
30 Day Countdown to A1: #2 Ricky Carmichael
Thursday, January 3, 2013 | 3:30 PM
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PrintOnly two remain. The Monster Energy Countdown to Anaheim is nearly finished, and while tomorrow will mark the unveiling of our all-time champ, today brings us one heck of a runner-up.
When you look at race wins, titles, and pure supercross dominance, Ricky Carmichael hovers above all but one man. From January of 2001 through half of 2007, Carmichael was the leader of the sport, indoors and out. Actually, his outdoor reign stretched from March of 1997 through September '07, with an astonishing 102 national wins in 127 starts. But his SX tenure at the top stretched from the day he first beat seven-time champ Jeremy McGrath at night at the second round of 2001, in San Diego, and then beat him straight up in the epic and pivotal Anaheim 3 of that same year. It was the passing of the torch, done in the House that Jeremy Built, and it would resonate for years to come.
RC ranks second on the all-time career wins list.
Moto Verte photo
Carmichael was a late bloomer when it came to supercross racing. He started out with some wild rides in the spring of '97 on the Pro Circuit Kawasaki KX125, but by '98 he was in full control of that class, at least on the East Coast. When he was beaten by Kevin Windham in a wild Las Vegas East-West duel at the end of that series, the jury was still out on just how good Carmichael might be. He was wild and emotional, and that sent mixed signals—if you recall, Windham, Ezra Lusk, and even the soon-to-arrive James Stewart were then being measured to someday take McGrath's crown.
Then Carmichael figured it out. He slowed down (just a little) to go faster (by a lot), and he teamed up with Johnny O'Mara to work on his race craft. The year 2000 saw him settle down and watch and learn, and by the start of 2001 he was ready to take his shot at the crown. The thirteen-race winning streak he would go on was a game changer in ways no one might have imagined. McGrath would never win again, and newcomers like Chad Reed and eventually Stewart would start chasing RC. Even with the changes he made in his program—going from Kawasaki to Honda, for instance—he never seemed to slow down. In fact, each change was internalized as a new challenge for Ricky, and he found strength in proving everyone wrong.
Take 2004, for instance. After three straight titles, Carmichael injured himself and was forced to miss what might have been a shot at his fourth crown—something only McGrath himself had ever accomplished. Suddenly, everyone was doubting RC—including Honda. When Ricky signed with Suzuki in April, he used the perceived lack of respect from the Red Riders to lay a colossal ass-whipping on everyone that summer, reeling off twenty-four straight moto wins. Again.
RC first made the switch from Kawasaki to Honda, and then later Honda to Suzuki.
Simon Cudby photo
But his real masterpiece was yet to come. With changes in riding style (as Stewart and Reed evolved), changes to Suzuki, and then the switch from two-strokes to four-strokes in 2006, Carmichael barely missed a beat. He won both the '05 and '06 titles, then announced his retirement—but not until he did a handful more SX and MX races in 2007. The result? He won two rounds of supercross even while Stewart and Reed were battling for the title. His last SX race came the morning after his twins were born, and he still almost beat Stewart in Orlando!
Ricky Carmichael was no Jeremy McGrath—he lacked the God-given talent Jeremy used to rule the sport for a decade. But he brought a work ethic and a compassion to the sport that became mandatory for every future aspiring winner, let alone champion. His legacy is greater outdoors—his 102 wins are almost triple the next-closest total—but indoors, he’s the second-greatest rider in Monster Energy Supercross history.
The 30 Best Supercross Racers of All Time Tracker:
#3 Bob Hannah
#5 Rick Johnson
#6 Chad Reed
#8 Jeff Stanton
#9 Jeff Ward
#10 Jean Michel Bayle
#11 Damon Bradshaw
#12 Mark Barnett
#13 Kevin Windham
#14 David Bailey
#15 Ryan Dungey
#16 Mike Bell
#17 Jeff Emig
#18 Johnny O’Mara
#19 Doug Henry
#20 Jimmy Ellis
#21 Mike LaRocco
#22 Ezra Lusk
#23 Broc Glover
#24 Ron Lechien
#25 Jimmy Weinert
#26 David Vuillemin
#27 Donnie Hansen
#28 Larry Ward
#29 Mike Kiedrowski
#30 Marty Tripes
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Loving this article.
One to go then A1.
Pretty happy right now!
Duh.
Thanks for the blood pressure spike RXI. I hope nobody is too riled about the podium, we can ALMOST universally agree on the top three, no?
How stupid did Honda feel after "04"
Got to see Ricky win his last Supercross in '07 at St. Louis after Stewart and Reed took each other out (imagine that). Glad I was there to see it. I wonder how many more wins he might have had not retired so soon? He went out on top and not many can say that.
MC is no GOAT !!! HAHAHA
MC ruled SX (not the sport)....Outdoors, MC on his best day wouldnt keep up with RC .......24-0....TWICE!!!
nobody said mc was better than rc outdoors, but MC was great when he focused on outdoors, 95-96 he was domianat outdoors too, just got hurt late in 96...leading the points in 98 but broke his wrist. RC is the BEST MOTOCROSS RACER EVER.
How 'bout all-time SX bikes next? There should be plenty of room for "discussion" there. In pre-emptive anticipation, I'll be calling in my prescription for "chill pills", so when you torpedo the two strokes I won't seize my top end.
MC was a lazy champion, and RC4 marked the end of the California era.
Obviously McGrath gets number one on this list, and deservedly so, but its hard for us Carmichael fans to not play the "what if" game. Ricky had more good years left in him and might have gotten 20 more wins and 2 more titles. This would be a very different conversation of he had stuck around a little longer. Still, I'm glad Ricky went out on top. I can't think of another athlete in any sport who did it like RC. He came into the pro ranks with less talent than others, more of a Bob Hannah style, completely in need of a training regimen. I don't recall ever seeing a pro motocrosser as fat as Ricky was in his 125 days. When he got to the big bikes and struggled indoors he didn't give up, he worked harder, reinvented himself, and took over. He gave Stewart and Reed plenty of chance to beat him and they couldn't do it enough to take a title from him. That let's you know how he would do today because they're still out there and still the cream of the crop, whether you like them or not. I was at Ricky's last SX and then later that year at the MXdN. It was awesome to watch him go out on top. I hate to say it but it would have sucked to watch him go out losing like McGrath did. I don't think less of McGrath, he's still the king of SX, but Ricky had the best exit in sports history in my opinion.
The east-west shoot out battle between Windham and RC where Windham beat RC was in 1997, not 1998. Windham was racing a factory YZ 250 in the "big boy" class in 1998.
yea yea MC !! The only racer non-moto fans know!!
I think TP199 will be first.
ha
Congrats to the guys at RacerX for putting the list together--tough job. I know it is hard to go against McGrath for #1 because of the win total, but RC is really neck & neck. Stewart and Reed were better Supercross riders than anyone McGrath had to face in the Nineties, which reduced the win total. Also, RC outrode McGrath in 2001, when Jeremy was still going strong. It could go either way.
Good call steventate017. 98' was the year Ricky had his perfect 125SX season, another one of his accomplishments that hasn't been matched.
It's as it should be....although if it weren't for that Reed guy & a bum knee, RC would surely have a lot more wins - still probably not enough to top MC though
As a Kawasaki dealer, I was introduced to RIcky in the pits of the Dallas Supercross in 98. Who knew that the tubby, little red head, with the hair trigger temper, who seemed so full of him self, would grow up to be such a mature, well spoken ambassador for the sport. RC has made huge strides, he let nothing stand in his way, proving hard work could topple any obstacle that was in his path, on the way to achieving his goals. He is one of the truly most inspiring stories in moto and deserves the title given him by his fans, Greatest of all Time!!
Not to take away from RC's accomplishments, but clearly he was on performance enhancing drugs.
FatalTundra- ya, it was called wickitup
A very, very close second to McGrath. Jeremy bested him in 99 and 2000 by a mile, and Ricky did likewise to MC in '01 and '02. The only other thing about comparing the two is that Ricky won 5 of 7 attempted titles indoors, MC won 7 of 10. Jeremy had a longer career. Both were simply the #1 guy to beat in their prime.
MustardDog, sure along with vitamins, prayers and eight full hours of sleep each night.
Lets just remember one thing, when RC finally did knock off Mcgrath, MC was 29 years old. Carmichael retired at 27 years old.. That should really say how fast Mcgrath was at supercross.. 2 of those 3 loses at the title was when he was 29 and 30 years old.. The other was a crappy Suzuki and a flat tire at one of the last rounds..
But its not a knock on RC, he is my all-time favorite by a mile.. A class act who is still giving back to this sport.. He had a great work ethic, and a passion for the sport alot of riders dont have.. And I agree with a few guys on here. What the hell was Honda thinking??
I've said it before and ill say it agaIn......I don't understand why people constantly say RC had a slow start? How many seasons after turning pro did it take RC to win his first big bore championship? Four! MC? The same! Four! If Davalos or Sipes came up and raced 450s this year and won the title would we talk about how much more RC struggled than they did? The funny thing is MC and RC were both in their 5th year as pros and they both are born in November so were even both the same age! So stop talking about win percentage because if MC moved up 2 years early like RC did, he might have crashed his brains out too.
In all these lists and stats I've been seen one journalist acknowledge what I just said. Am I missing something?
I've not* seen. And BTW, I'm all for MC being the best SX rider ever, because shame on RC for retiring so early and depriving us of his greatness.
I'll agree with that, mainly because Mc is now #1! :)
Actually, I suppose JT$ could be #1, he hasn't yet been mentioned..
#livesinhope
Looking forward to hearing RC & Fro in the booth.
Hey guy my 10 year old son jeremy just rode his bicycle without training wheels for the first time and didn't even fall! My five year son ricky tried it and crashes all the time without them, he's not nearly as fast a learner!
Fatal your comment is idiotic!!!!!
rcgoat222 you're a moron to believe that world class athletes such as RC aren't cheating.
RC "lacked the God-given talent" of McGrath. Sorry but that's just dumb. Where do you guys come up with this stuff? He was so untalented he won more races than anyone else in history by long shot. I guess he just twisted the throttle, hung on for dear life, and got lucky 150 times. His record speaks for itself. You don't win 150 times by just trying harder than anyone else. I agree MC should be rated #1 but let's not go overboard. All the guys in the top 10 are extremely talented.
Chowder - I'm hoping we'll have RC back in the SX booth with Fro this year, but I don't think we'll see him there now that he's part of RCH, it would be a conflict of interest unfortunately. He'd have to say 'there's a race and you're not in it' when the fast 5 lap BT20 and JH75.
I realize that MC being #1 is hard to argue with but check MC's number of starts and years racing in 450's along with the competition he rode against with Carmichael before you give this to MC. Also nobody, including MC can say they beat 3 riders of the stature of MC, CR and JS multiple times each and they were all multiple champs! And most years MC rested and tested for SX during the off season while RC raced the full outdoor season and usually the MXoN every year.
MC was obviously awesome at SX but to me Motocross is the NFL and Supercross is the Arena Football League(only we all love SX unlike the AFL). My point? No disrespect to MC but the GOAT is the best racer to ever throw a leg over a dirt bike.
RCRCDW, i respect your opinion, but Mcgrath beat guys like jeff stanton,damon bradshaw, doug henry, mike larroco, jeff emig, ezra lusk,greg albertyn, seb tortelli, david villiemin, kevin windahm, steve lamson,AND MOST IMPORTANT RC for two years past MCs prime...so yeah MC is the best, all the guys i mentioned are legends, champs and multi race winners. now lets be clear...MC is the best SX rider ever but RC is and always will be the GOAT.
Wish there was a section on these bikes they fix up like over on
Racer X Tested: 2007 YZ450
One hell of a job on that project !
I don't think its fair to say McGrath was past his prime in 01'. 29 is not old athletically speaking, only 2 years older than Carmichael was when he was still killing everyone. Only McGrath knows if he was mentally burned out, but consider that of you take Carmichael out of the equation in 01' McGrath would have won his 8th title and tired his own record for most wins in a season.
Tied his own record
Come May, there won't be any any drama leading up to who's #1 on that list.
fataltundra, so what you are saying is anybody who becomes the best in their given sport is cheating? So just to be clear was McGrath cheating too or just RC?
#1: Chuck Norris
Fatal that's ridiculous you should make an appointment at the add-a-dick-to-me foundation and don't sign
In here again till the operation is done.
RC would never take performance enhancing drugs. If he did he would have raced into his thirties like Reed.
RL250ZUK not sure but probably. RC has always been a fatty. The GOAT, but using.
racer628: Not gonna debate that for sure. Like I said, MC being #1 is hard to argue with! You make good points but I think I do as well... :)
Sure Joel347, I'll get in line right behind you. Are you in complete retard denile of all these athletes using PED's? Poor Lance was set up!
Let's say that RC was using PED's. They could improve his stamina and strength. How do you explain his talent and will to win?
Dirtrider84, no doubt he was badass.
lol, when it comes to your heros people want to beleive what they want!!! In my opinion all athletes at the top are taking performance enhancing drugs...WHy do you think they get so emotional???
Look at BAM BAM justin barcia,who is known to be extremely emotional ! he is either on enhancers or he has serious mental health issuses!!! sorry to break it to you guys...
@racer628
The only SX champs among MC's competition you mentioned were Stanton and Emig. The other guys are solid riders but mostly also rans on the big bike. Lusk was his main competition in the late 90s, and he never won a big bike championship indoors or out.
Also MC only beat RC in 2000. RC beat MC in 2001 and 2002.
yes carmichael took HGH i know a pro who races sx privateer back of the pack and he said they are all on it even him. almost all athletes take performance enhancing drugs i have arguments with people time to time and it amazes me how ignorant they are to this fact look at olympic athletes there all on it. i like how people would defend armstrong when we knew for a long time he was juicing, he had elevated red blood cell count. now all this being said it still takes a special person to do what carmichael did
I myself have taken HGH and it makes you lose weight without exercise, give it to a woman and her muscles will tone up and she will lose weight without exercise if u get real stuff. look at carmichael he usually chubby and when he started winning he thinned out like crazy its not a bad thing that there on it it makes u healthier unless u abuse it like a bodybuilder but thats alot of money and a crazy amount. when these riders get injured if they take hgh there bodies will heal faster. to be at the top you got to do whatr the other top guys are doing or you cant compete as simple as that
Been out here in Anaheim since New Years Day having fun !!!
Was at press day looks interesting competition wise tracks good ! could be a great Start to 2013 I hope !
If you do anything tonight take 32 minutes out of your life and save this link to watch now or in the future ! Trey Canard # 41 Weather you are a fan or not It's worth the watch enjoy all ! and SALUTE !
http://revival41.com/
Coolest thing RC ever said was out of respect for McGrath. Rc was asked by announcer who would win Mcgrath or stewart in their prime on a 125sx? RC answered Mcgrath.
Most people throw UP after a tough night partying, but Carmichael throws DOWN.
Just to set the record straight RC never won 24 moto's straight on a Suzuki? 2002 he won on a HONDA CR250cc. The next year 2003 K-dub14 beat him a couple times. 2004 RC won 24 moto's straight again on a HONDA CRF450!!!!!! Who writes these columns ??? Do they even frickin follow motocross/supercross?? Maybe you guys should hire writers who know what they are talking about..???? I'd love the job!!!
Just to set the record straight RC never won 24 moto's straight on a Suzuki? 2002 he won on a HONDA CR250cc. The next year 2003 K-dub14 beat him a couple times. 2004 RC won 24 moto's straight again on a HONDA CRF450!!!!!! Who writes these columns ??? Do they even frickin follow motocross/supercross?? Maybe you guys should hire writers who know what they are talking about..???? I'd love the job!!!
I already knew it wasnt right but here you go!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricky_Carmichael
Now, only if we could get him to conjugate his verbs properly and work on his grammar skills, his insight in his broadcaster role would be more tolerable. He's definitely no Steve Young. I kind of like the ring of "Magic G.O.A.T".
Oooops, that's right. He's got the RCH team now. Guess his guest commentator gig won't be happening.
It is to bad that his commentator gig wont work. His legacy gig is in full force! Rake em in fellas $$$
Right on RacerX with Carmichael at #2. I'm a big fan of RC,didnt seem to have any distraction's and was not afraid of hard work. In my eyes the only childhood prodigy to actually live up to (even surpass)expectations. It was an absoulute pleasure watching him race.
Their can be only one.
THE GOAT
Dunny450, I never said RC won 24 straight on a Suzuki. I said he signed with Suzuki in April '04, while sidelined with a knee injury, then laid out a colossal ass-whipping on everyone because he perceived Honda's not signing him for '05 to be an insult. I should have been more clear, that was on a Honda CRF450 that second perfect summer, not Suzuki. Ricky didn't race a Suzuki until October '04 at the U.S. Open. And when he won all 12 in '05, you are right, he did not win every moto.
Sorry that was not clear when I wrote it the first time. Trust me, I know the record book pretty well!
DC
MX Sports
canadianmxfan
Oh Paleeeze! To say all elite athletes are on PHD's is ridiculous. These guys (all sports and even race horses) are extremely internally driven. Maybe for good reasons, maybe for not so good reasons, who knows? No one has been able to dissect the psychological reasons the ultra elite succeed. Ricky of all racers, even at his fittest would admit he wasn't the most fit guy on the track (but fit enough). But deep down in the deepest depth of his bones, he just craved to win ...... and he did. I'm sure even he and his parents can't explain why.
Some people kill me.. Now we have guys saying RV took PEDS, and even some idiots saying "I KNOW HE TAKES THEM" because he knows another guy who says they ALL are on them.. Cant we just enjoy the fact that everyone on here had the chance to watch the greatest motocross rider we will probably ever get to see...without accusing him of something underhanded?? Why must people do that crap??
Nobody wants to mention a story I read once, after RC won the US Open, the richest single race at the time. The next morning by 7 AM RC was spotted in the hotel wieght room working out, not sleeping one off after partying all night.. He was working out already in the hotel.. THAT IS WHY HE IS THE GOAT, NOT PEDS... bunch of idiots.
Sorry that first line is supposed to say RC not RV..
Villadoslow-
So what brand of HGH did you take and what dosage? What side effects did you experience?
How did you take the drug? What were your application sites?
I think the coolest thing about RC is that the fans really didn't like him early on.. But as time went on he became the fan favorite. Now that his career is over, he is the most missed rider like McGrath. So strange that RC retired while he was still dominant, I would like to have seen him stay around longer.
By the way, McGrath was extremely dominant outdoors. People quickly forget..
Wile I agree RC should be #2 I still find it hard to believe that the sickly determined RC would not have fouind a way to be MC if they were both in their prime. My heart just tells me RC would have done it.
I still rememeber RC's last race in Orlando! JS stalked him for 19 laps than made the pass, RC crossed the line with his head down...Kind of a sad ending.
I was at that race and was really hoping that RC was going to win that race.
I think RC should have stayed on the 125 in SX for 1 more year. Even though he killed the competition I think he needed another year to mature in SX.
My favorite thing about McGrath was that he was a showman. Could you ever imagine seeing Dungey bust out a nac nac on the last lap of a race win... Or really anyone these days. I lived for watching those last laps to watch him whip it and bust out the greatest nac nacs.
2centsCanadian, you got me thinking and i'm not sure now about all of them taking enhancers....Some are for sure!!!
It also seems like a conspiracy thing too, and your covering up for them! i duno....
lol mabey...
I lost all respect for MC when in an interview a year or so ago when asked about RC being named The Goat he replied: "When my friends hear that they just laugh". RC has had the class the never show jealousy toward MC, only respect. That's the mark of the # 1 rider in my book.
Why isn't J-Law on this list?
Oh yeah - he's a washed-up, scum-sucking low-life.
If R/C and M/C were in the same era- the battles would have been legendary.