Although retired from the sport since the 2007 Motocross of Nations at Budds Creek, somehow it only seemed right that Ricky Carmichael was out riding his Suzuki RM-Z450 when we tracked him to get these questions you Racer X readers asked. And good questions they were, as RC wanted to immediately stop what he was doing and get to work in knocking the answers out. “These are some questions,” exclaimed The Goat. “Let’s get to work.” So, without further ado, we turn this project over to the one and only RC.
Justin Watson @JDubya381: @racerxonline #ASKRCMXON was passing Everts on the CR in '03 one of the toughest passes ever, or a piece of cake (how u made it look)?
RC: Well, it definitely wasn't easy—that's for sure. Stefan is such a tactical rider, so passing him is never easy!
Jamma10 @couch_racer: @racerxonline @RickyCarmichael What was your favourite MXdN circuit. Foxhill in '98? ;)
RC: My favorite Des Nations track was Ernee in France. The layout and dirt were right up my alley.
Jon Severson @JonSeverson: @racerxonline @RickyCarmichael #ASKRCMXON Do you believe you could have beaten RV in 07' if you didn't have 21st gate pick and went down?
RC: I'm not sure. RV was riding very well, but that really doesn't matter because what was most important was that we won as a team that day.
Thatcatschaaf: I am thinking your toughest competitor over the many MXDN's you have been in was Stefan Everts, who was the next toughest guy you race against in this event.
RC: That's a great question. There are so many great guys that race the event, so there were many great competitors, not just one in particular other than Stefan.
TheRooster822: RC, was it hard to be teammates with somebody who is a direct competitor in every other event throughout the entire year? Did you ever share any secrets to help that teammate out during this event, only to have that secret be used against you in a future event here in the US?
RC: For me it definitely wasn't hard. I enjoyed racing against direct competitors during that event. In all honesty, though, I never did have to give too much advice or secrets away because the levels of my teammates were so high to start with!
Monkeybum: Generally the MXON events are held in Europe so you have to deal with the travel, jet lag, shipping your gear/bikes over, unfamiliar culture and race tracks. Are you at a straight up disadvantage as soon as you walk off the plane when attempting this race or did you have enough time to adjust? Didn't even affect you?
RC: Absolutely, we are at a disadvantage! A lot of people fail to recognize this point and it's overlooked, so I'm glad you asked this question. We come to their series and their tracks and race formats that they are exposed to all the time, so it's a huge advantage for them in my mind. So, with that said, it always gave me more incentive to go there and win.
Kenchairtoe 1: When the time comes for Roger De Coster to step down, would you consider being the manager for Team USA? Has the option been proposed already?
RC: For sure, I would like that opportunity, but I do not see him retiring from that position for a long time.
layinbody31: RC, do you think the racing would be better if the teams were not limited to 3 riders per country but however many were able to make the 40 man gate? Or would that make the event REALLY biased towards the Americans then (since we'd likely have 10-20 guys in the field)? Scoring could be based off individual combined moto results with the 'Top American' counting as America's score, 'Top German' counting as Germany's score, etc.
RC: I think it would give us a huge advantage, but also would be extremely expensive from a logistics standpoint. I think the format they use now is good.
aaronjw05: In the six events you rode, was there ever a year that the team did not get on with each other, personality clashes, not getting involved in the team spirit etc.
RC: No, actually everyone comes together for the most part during this event regardless of previous circumstances.
Diego Ruiz: How much true teamwork comes in the MxdN? I've honestly never seen a rider blocking somebody or something like that, you just race around and the teams calculate the scores, just like in any race...
RC: It's not as common as you think, but if the win is on the line, then it does come in to play and you have to do what you need to in order to win.
rafamx4: How was the pressure!? Did you have more, in the nationals and SX in US, or did have more in MXON, competing for your country, and battle with the best guys in Europe!?
RC: I think there was more pressure to win our series in the U.S. Contractually, that's what we're paid to do, and that's what our sponsors expect from us.
BD25: After racing all year for "yourself"..How hard is it to adjust to racing as "A Team"..and what is the major adjustment in doing so?
RC: I loved it and the opportunity to do so. It was always easy for me.
mikebrownsound: Does it feel like the european gained speed the last 4-5 years - Can it be because the talent is signed by the American teams to race supercross and ama nationals they learned what the americans had in advantage?
RC: I do feel like the talent there has risen. It's good to see.
Dsileo: What is your most valuable memory from your many years at this prestigious event ?
RC: My best memory was our win in Ernee, France. The vibe of that event was second to none and made it so cool to be a part of.
Rutracer: Motocross OF Nations or Motocross DES Nations?
RC: Des Nations hands down.
125legend: Is the myth of Mitch Payton being thrown into the swimming pool at the part after the Brazil MXoN true?
RC: It was true! I couldn't believe my eyes.
Solo: What’ll it take the USA to win? Will they win?
RC: In my mind it's simple—just don't fall down. They should if they don't crash.
JE: Johnny O’Mara in 1986 or RV in 2007?
RC: Both were badass.
Fred: Is the MXoN the GREATEST race in our sport?
RC: Not sure if it's the best, but definitely one of the top events.
Snob: What did it mean to you?
RC: To me that race was about pride and representing your country.