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Friday, March 9 The champion and the challenger By B.J. Smith Motoworld.com Fans have dreamed of this season for a long time: finally, a rider with enough courage to do what it takes to give Jeremy McGrath a serious run indoors -- Ricky Carmichael. RC came into the 2001 season with a goal -- to win the only title he has not accomplished -- the Supercross championship. After winning the Chevy Trucks AMA 250 outdoor nationals Carmichael capped off the 2000 season with a win on Team USA at the Motocross Des Nations and the US Open in Vegas. In 2001, fans knew RC was going to be a force to be reckoned with. Over the winter Carmichael elected not to travel overseas to pad his pocket. Rather, he spent countless hours riding at his training facility deep in southern Georgia where there were no distractions. His personal trainer, Alden, lived with him to help him shed weight, and build strength and stamina to withstand the pounding of the bigger 250 machine. Alden continues to stay with Ricky, to help him stay focused. Jeremy started 2001 like he ended the previous season in Vegas where he won his 70th career win and his seventh Supercross title in eight years. At the opener in Anaheim, McGrath was looking to start the season off with a win and that's just what he did ... by climbing yet another notch in the history books with his 71st win. But this season unfolded a little different than the others. At round two in San Diego, Carmichael and the champ had a classic battle that left both riders with satisfaction -- Carmichael because he won his second Supercross, first on a true indoor track, and McGrath because he finally had a challenger. What McGrath didn't realize, was how long this challenger was going to stick around. Anaheim II went the way McGrath had planned but in Phoenix Carmichael won his second race to tie the champ in points. At the third Anaheim, Carmichael pulled off the ultimate test of confidence and determination, by starting the race in 11th and by the final laps caught, passed and pulled a four-second lead over McGrath. Ricky showed MC that he was going to be a threat, not just for one race but for the entire season. Many riders have been able to knock the champ off his throne but other than the bad-luck filled 1997 season, they never stayed consistent enough to keep McGrath from pulling away in points. Carmichael continued to dominate with his streak of wins. Ironically, McGrath has found himself with a string of second place finishes and a reason to look for more speed. "I've kind of created a double-edged sword for myself," McGrath said. "I've won so much, now that I finish second a few times it's like I got last and that's unfortunate for me, but I just have to work harder. Evidently everyone seems to be the same as what they've been. Ricky's game has stepped up a little and he's riding better now and obviously has mental confidence. I've always taken pride in my mental ability and I'm able to rise to the occasion and I think I'm ready for the challenge and I can't let him keep winning like that, I've got to step it up." When asked before the Atlanta SX what he thought about his fair-weather fans and how he felt about the transition of support, the champ found the deal typical as sport. "What can you say? It's kind of the nature of sport I guess. You're only as good as your last race. People are so quick to forget what's happened before, not that I demand that or anything but there's all this hype about Ricky Carmichael; he's won four Supercrosses. Four Supercrosses; that's a long way from 72." "A lot of the hype around the track is 'Oh, you know, what are you going to do about it?' Obviously all you can do about it is try to work harder and prepare harder, get a better start and not worry about it. One of things I can do to make myself better it to relax and not let the pressure take it place." Now we're back in Daytona Beach, Fla., Carmichael's home state and the same track he got his first SX win. Last year Carmichael led all twenty laps and demolished his competition. That was one year ago and the maturity of this young rider has paid off in big dividends. "I love going to Daytona," Carmichael said. "I'm really looking forward to that race. I did really well there last year and I feel like I can do better there this year, the bike is better and I'm in better shape. I'm going to do whatever it takes to do win it again." But Carmichael isn't the only rider that knows how to win on this demanding track. McGrath has won the last three out of five races here and with a win today, he will tie Jeff Stanton's record of four Daytona wins. McGrath and Carmichael are the only two riders to taste victory of this prestigious race. "Daytona is another race that, in the beginning, people never thought I could win and I've won as many as many as Kiedrowski (3) and the other guys who've won Daytona a lot," McGrath said. "I really like it and I pride myself on being strong and ready for that race. Last year, Carmichael smoked me at Daytona so I'd like to take some revenge, but the year before that I smoked everyone. Daytona is a tough race, you need to step up your training a little bit and I've done that, not thinking just about Daytona, but the competition that I have right now. It's a little tougher when you get older. Every day counts." Can any one else in this 30-rider field step up to the plate to challenge the domination of McGrath and Carmichael? When the gate drops, the solution will unravel. 
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