Carmichael beats Stewart in AMA

Team Makita Suzuki’s Ricky Carmichael returned to the AMA Supercross series to beat James Stewart and Chad Reed at St Louis.

The part-time 2007 competitor and reigning AMA Supercross Champion took the lead on lap four after an early crash by James Stewart and Chad Reed and was never challenged.

“I love this place,” said Carmichael. “That’s why I chose to race here. I love the dirt here and I’m glad to get a win for the team. My streak’s coming to an end and I’d like to get one more win in the next two races.”

After winning his heat races on the Makita Suzki RMZ450, the 15-time AMA Champion got a lacklustre start in the 20-lap main event and was on his way to the front when the leaders went down early on. Carmichael quickly worked his way through the field and into the lead, where he created a gap and brought home the win.

He said: “Those guys – James Stewart and Chad Reed – went down, I don’t know what happened. But I don’t know if I could have gotten them, spotting them four seconds like that wasn’t good. Reed got back up and he had a chance to get me but I put my head down and I was cooking. I’m so pumped to get the win, you have no idea.”
 
Results: 1 Ricky Carmichael (Suzuki), 2 James Stewart (Kawasaki), 3 Chad Reed (Yamaha), 4 Kevin Windham (Honda), 5 Nate Ramsey (Yamaha), 6 David Vuillemin (Honda), 7 Paul Carpenter (Kawasaki), 8 Heath Voss (Honda), 9 Eric Sorby (Kawasaki), 10 Cole Siebler (Honda).