RC goes down on lap five of first moto while leading, bangs up shoulder

CARLSBAD, Calif., (Sept. 12, 2006) – Having already won the 2006 
Toyota AMA Motocross Championship, Monster Energy’s Ricky Carmichael needed only to ride around at Glen Helen Raceway - the final round of the Nationals - wave to the southern California motocross fans and call it a weekend.

But that’s certainly not “RC,” as the greatest motocross racer of all 
times went for it on the rugged Glen Helen Raceway and wound up 
paying the price, going down on lap five after passing rival James 
Stewart for the lead and having to pull out of the race.

“Better this happened now than at Hangtown,” said Carmichael. “We’ll get things looked at, take some time to relax and see if I can’t make it back for the Des Nations.”

Next up for Carmichael – hopefully for the U.S. – is the Sept. 24th 
running of the Motocross Des Nations at Matterley Basin in England.