THUNDER VALLEY SUCCESS FOR CARMICHAEL
26 July 2006 - AMA Pro Racing

Team Makita Suzuki’s Ricky Carmichael claimed his sixth-straight overall win of the year with a double victory at Sunday’s seventh-round AMA Motocross Championship at Thunder Valley Motocross Park in Lakewood, Colorado.

The victory was Carmichael’s 141st in AMA competition and gives him a 69 point lead in the series standings over Team Yamaha’s Chad Reed with five rounds to go.

Said Carmichael: “It’s always tough coming here to Thunder Valley. There are a bunch of elements you have to contend with. Number one is the elevation, obviously, and that takes a toll on you and the bike, as far as power goes. And obviously fitness is a factor and I have to give it up to my trainer, Elden Baker. But it’s still fun to come to a new venue and the track is good. There are several different lines and it’s a good race track overall.”

In the Motocross Lites class, Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Broc Hepler improved his performance significantly. The young rider charged hard on his Makita Suzuki RM-Z250 in both 30-minute motos to take second position in Colorado to move from 13th position overall into eighth position in the points chase.

Said Hepler: “I got a poor start in the first moto, but I was catching the guys in front of me at the end. I felt pretty good and the Makita Suzuki RM-Z250 was running good so I started picking up my time and my last lap was my fastest. In the second moto, I got a good start. It was the best start I’ve had all year and then I took the lead. Unfortunately, Ryan Villopoto was faster through some of the rutted sections and he got past me, but I was able to keep second.”

Motocross Class:

1. Ricky Carmichael (Suzuki) 1-1
2. Davi Millsaps (Honda) 3-2
3. James Stewart (Kawasaki) 2-5
4. Kevin Windham (Honda) 4-4
5. Travis Preston (Honda) 5-7
6. Tim Ferry (Yamaha) 8-6
7. Michael Byrne (Kawasaki) 6-8
8. Chad Reed (Yamaha) 16-3
9. Josh Summey (Honda) 10-10
10. David Vuillemin (Yamaha) 7-13

Lites Class:

1. Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki) 1-1
2. Broc Hepler (Suzuki) 4-2
3. Mike Alessi (KTM) 3-3
4. Andrew McFarlane (Yamaha) 5-5
5. Martin Davalos (Yamaha) 6-6
6. Nathan Ramsey (KTM) 8-9
7. Andrew Short (Honda) 2-33
8. Danny Smith (Honda) 9-12
9. Joshua Grant (Honda) 19-4
10. Steve Boniface (Honda) 7-15

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