Freak weather!
By TMX Archives on 13th Feb 06
Here in New York City things aren't quite right. I'm supposed to be trudging around Gotham with my heavy coat on and a scarf bunched up around my neck, protecting me from the bitter north east cold. Here in New York City things aren't quite right. I'm supposed to be trudging around Gotham with my heavy coat on and a scarf bunched up around my neck, protecting me from the bitter north east cold. There should be a foot of snow on the ground. My windows should not be wide open. But the coat and scarf are still in the closet and there's not a snowflake in sight. It's late January and everything is different than a year ago at this time. There's been a change in the weather.As it turns out, last season's Perfect Storm - the drooled over clash between Ricky Carmichael, Chad Reed and James Stewart - is finally here. It's for real. And it's hot.Through the first five rounds of the US and World Supercross GP series, the power trio of American supercross stayed atop the podium exclusively. Reed got bogged down in the San Francisco mud at round four of the AMA series, dropping him to fifth there and giving Nick Wey a third place breakthrough. He'll be happy to have only dropped a couple points there, though, after last year's disastrous start. Speedy Reedy is still in the hunt and at this stage that's all any rider can ask for.James Stewart's 'New Beginning' is for real folks. That newfound patience and maturity he showed in Canada? Yeah, it looks like that's here to stay. While James had everyone talking in December after his remarkable tear through Canada, January was his time to prove himself. And what better way to do that than winning the Anaheim season opener?After his wins in Toronto and Vancouver, Stewart was actually a favourite to take the first US win of the year. The kid was on a roll and Carmichael - legend that he may be - has never actually won the first round in his premier class career (take a moment to think that one over - as great as he is, Ricky never started the series in the lead). Carmichael and Stewart got horrible starts in the Anaheim I Main Event but they each battled through the pack and eventually caught up to Reed. Keeping his streak alive, though, RC hit the ground and was only able to take third. Stewart stalked the Aussie and used all that Canuck momentum to propel him to the win and the early points lead.Round two - in Phoenix, Arizona - was a remarkable race for several reasons. Carmichael took his first win of the season, Reed moved up a spot on the podium and Stewart charged back for third after a first-turn crash left him stranded at the back. But the highlight of the evening came from the king himself, Jeremy 'Part-Time Showtime' McGrath.After a poor showing on the CR250R - one of the few remaining in the SX class - McGrath and Honda decided they would switch to the four-stroke CRF450R after Phoenix. The two-stroke just didn't have the power to compete with a full field of thumpers anymore. But somebody must have forgotten to tell Jeremy that in Arizona because in the Main Event that night he pulled the must unexpected holeshot this side of Mike LaRocco and rocketed to the early lead. Then, to cap off an already magical moment, he threw out his signature Nac-Nac and brought the house down. It was a scene that will replay in the minds of every fan who was in attendance that night (unfortunately, it won't be replaying on television - the CBS network cameras were all focused on James Stewart who was on the ground in the first turn). MC eventually gave up the lead to the new guard but it's great to know that he's still got it in him. Even though he's just 'Part-Time' now he'll always be Showtime and he's going out very near the top.The return trip to Anaheim for round three was yet another special occasion as it marked the 20th anniversary of the legendary Bailey vs Johnson battle of Anaheim '86, the benchmark for just about every race for the last two decades. In a fitting tribute to that night, Carmichael and Stewart gave us another one for the ages, dicing for the lead for 18 laps until Stewart lost his front end. RC took the top spot for the second week in a row followed by Reed and Stewart for a carbon copy of the previous week's podium.James got his revenge in the San Francisco mud a week later but Carmichael kept him honest. In a race where just about everyone else hit the (very wet) dirt, the two Floridians stayed on two wheels and fought for the win until the very last lap. The race was even better than the previous week's and the two riders brought The Hottest January to a thrilling close.Finally, I'm a little sad to say that this column marks the end of a long run for me here at DBR. For the last six years or so I've been sending out my monthly Stateside report but the time has come to move on. I've had great fun babbling on about people throwing rocks through my windows, weather reports and my beloved Newcastle United - and even some motocross and supercross from time to time - and I'm thankful that you've been kind enough to let me ramble as long as you have. And a very special thanks goes out to Sean and Sutty for their unflappable patience with my serial deadline abuse.It's been great, everyone. I'll be seeing you...Words by Jeff Kocan Photo by Steve Cox