Thursday, December 28

Chat Wrap: Ricky Carmichael

ESPN.com

Carmichael began racing at the age of five.

In 2000, Carmichael won an impressive nine of 12 races in 250cc AMA Motocross series, breaking the 22-year-old single season record for most 250cc motocross wins in a season previously held by Bob Hannah. He also helped lead Team USA to victory at the 2000 Motocross des Nations in France. He picked up the win and the $100,000 first place prize at the 2000 US Open of Supercross in Las Vegas.

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 8:53pm ET
Hello! I'm here and up for any questions anyone is ready to ask!

---

Wes Schulte #70 from [208.245.213.104], at 8:54pm ET
Hey RC! Your going to do great this year in SX. I have 2 ques. for you. What are you going to different this year in the SX series?

What do you think of Bubba Stewart breaking your record of the Amateur Championships @ Loretta Lynns?

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 8:55pm ET
First question -- I'm going to try and stary out al ot stronger at the beginning of the season and try to be really consistent.

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 8:56pm ET
As for the second question -- "If anyone was ever able to beat my record -- I'm glad that it was him -- he's a good kid!"

---

Michael Wayne from [152.163.201.177], at 8:57pm ET
Ricky, first of all you are one hell of a racer! My question is - the past few years freestyle MX has taken off though it seems to have run its course. Do you see many of the athletes coming back to racing?

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 8:57pm ET
No, really, I don't see many of the freestyle guys coming back to racing -- I don't know why -- but, I just don't see that happening.

---

John from [152.163.204.177], at 8:58pm ET
Congrats on your outdoor win. How is Roncada adjusting to the new bike?

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 8:59pm ET
Thanks for congratulating me. Stephane seems to like the new Kawasaki. I haven't seen him that much -- but the times that I have seen him he really seems to be having a good time on it.

---

Bubba from [64.12.103.23], at 8:59pm ET
What do you think of Robbie Reynard, and do you think he can be a threat now that he is a privateer?

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:00pm ET
I don't think he'll be a threat. He's always been good rider -- but I don't think he'll be title threat. He's been injured and inconsistent over the past year or so.

---

Pak from [207.70.43.199], at 9:01pm ET
I recently took up riding dirt bikes and was wondering how you got started riding and was your talent recognized early?

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:02pm ET
I did start riding early. I started riding when I was five. My cousins started riding and they did some local races. My Dad sent me down there and took me to a motorcycle shop and I started racing -- but it still took a few years to get recognized.

---

Frank Barker from [204.210.1.108], at 9:03pm ET
Hey Ricky. How do you feel about your chances against McGrath?

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:03pm ET
I feel pretty good this year. If there is any year I have a good shot at beating him -- it this year.

---

Brett Neal from [152.163.207.177], at 9:04pm ET
What is your training like?I keep hearing about your training,and I would like to know what to do.

---

Andrew from [64.228.109.121], at 9:04pm ET
Ricky how much cardio do you do a week in hrs.
Not including riding or weights? just cardio.

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:05pm ET
A lot of riding -- more than anything. Ride as much as possible -- just climb on the bike. Gym and mountain biking -- as for cardio -- I do about 5 hours a week of straight cardio.

---

Sean Bailey from [24.4.254.71], at 9:06pm ET
My dad has a tape of you riding on your new SX track. How do you get the nerve to go so fast into the whoops?

PS thanks for the jersey!

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:07pm ET
I've been doing it so long -- it's natual -- it comes with experience. It's not nerve -- it's practice.

---

Matt Carlisle from [205.188.196.56], at 9:08pm ET
I'm 12 years old and have my own track...what should I be doing to get faster?

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:09pm ET
Ride a lot and listen to your parents!

---

S Zych from [206.29.242.19], at 9:09pm ET
What is your favorite supercross track and how do you rate Houston in the Astrodome?

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:10pm ET
My favorite supercross race is Atlanta -- because that's where I won my first supercross race! I had a really good time at Houston -- got second!

---

Wes Schulte from [208.245.213.104], at 9:11pm ET
What should i do to get my timing down and better control?

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:12pm ET
Practice at a certain jump that needs perfect timing over and over again until you get it perfect and then try and hit it at the same speed each time after that.

---

MileHigh from [63.171.210.3], at 9:13pm ET
How have you prepared yourself mentally and physcically for the 2001 series? Who do you see as your toughest competitors, obviously McGrath but who else?

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:14pm ET
Vuillemin and Lusk. I have prepared physically a lot better -- gotten into a lot better shape. Being physically in better shape helps me a lot mentally. It makes me more confident.

---

Kyle from [216.175.30.248], at 9:15pm ET
What is your favorite sport besides motocross?

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:15pm ET
Baseball -- just because I played it. (Ricky played second base.) That was a long time ago -- little league.

---

Andrew from [64.228.109.121], at 9:16pm ET
Dave Stephenson is probably your agent, how much control does he have with your money? Also how much of a % would he make doing what he does? i.e. per rider, per year average?

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:16pm ET
Actually -- Dave isn't my agent.

---

kevin from [206.74.35.50], at 9:17pm ET
I am kind of short like you. Does your height cause any problems?

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:17pm ET
It really doesn't -- because my bike is set up for me.

---

brandon from [168.191.89.150], at 9:19pm ET
we'll be on the front row in atlanta. how would you describe the pressure of being in front of 60000 + and racing the incredible talent that's out there this year

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:20pm ET
There's not really that much pressure anymore -- I've been doing it for awhile. When I first started racing in the stadiums it made me really nervous -- all the people yelling for you?

---

Brooke from [152.163.207.193], at 9:21pm ET
Why do you dominate so well at Daytona and where did you practice in florida growing up.

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:22pm ET
I love Daytona -- it's my home state -- I think that's why I do so well there. I grew up riding in Brooksville, Fla.

---

Kory 1# fan Yohey from [205.188.196.34], at 9:24pm ET
I have 2 questions!!! Ricky what is your favorite motorcross track? What is your favorite rider in any kind of dirt bike riding?

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:24pm ET
Favorite motocross track Mt. Morris and Steele City. I like a lot of riders -- but I really don't have a favorite.

---

brandon from [168.191.89.150], at 9:25pm ET
do you think it would be fair to say that you are the best mx/sx rider in the world

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:25pm ET
Well -- I don't think for supercross, but I'd say I'm up there for motocross. I'm for sure well rounded!

---

Kyle from [216.175.30.248], at 9:27pm ET
How does the weather effect how you personally ride?
What type of weather do you like best?

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:28pm ET
I definately prefer I nice day for riding -- around 75/80 degrees. I like racing in the HOT weather. Being from Florida -- I like the hote weather to an extent.

---

Matt Carlisle from [205.188.196.56], at 9:28pm ET
was the u.s. open track a tough track compaired to what you are used to?

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:29pm ET
No -- tighter that what I am used to -- but not difficult.

---

Frank Barker from [204.210.1.108], at 9:31pm ET
How do you feel about the lack of respect from some of the other top riders regarding your win at the US Open? Most say nobody fast was there so it was an easy win for you and not an indication of what will happen during the AMA Series.

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:32pm ET
Kevin Windham is not a bad rider -- he's far and way one of the fastest guys out there. LaRocco is not a bad rider either. McGrath was really the only guy who wasn't there.

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:33pm ET
First sponsor was Scott goggles and Mom & Dad's pocketbook.

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:33pm ET
Okay guys -- this is going to be the last question!

---

Frank B - SD from [204.210.1.108], at 9:35pm ET
Do you still practice with Lusk? If so, who's faster these days?

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:36pm ET
No, actually I don't. Ezra moved. So, unfortunatley I ride solo most of the time. When we did ride together -- we were pretty even most of the time. Just depended who was riding better that day!

---

RICKY CARMICHAEL at 9:37pm ET
Thank you all very much -- Good Night!