Tuesday, May 29

Redemption - Pastrana Takes Two

By B.J. Smith
MotoWorld

AURORA, ILL - Add Gentlemen's Quarterly to Ricky Carmichael's growing fan base.

Carmichael, who recently took home his first EA SPORTS Supercross Series championship, has been nominated for GQ's Men of the Year awards in the Sports - Individual Athlete category. Other nominees include tennis great Andre Agassi, professional golfer Phil Mickelson, stock car racer Jeff Gordon and Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong. The magazine's editors select the nominees in each category, with fans determining the winners via online voting at www.GQ.com. The polling ends June 15.

Travis Pastrana finishes 1-1 at High Point Raceway, Mt. Morris, PA.

The 21-year-old Floridian enjoyed a banner Supercross season, unseating perennial champion Jeremy McGrath and etching his name in the record book. In 2001, Carmichael dominated a strong field, winning 14 races in the 16-round tour, tying McGrath's records for wins in a season and consecutive victories (13).

All the success wasn't limited to Supercross tracks. Carmichael, who rides for Team Chevy Trucks Kawasaki, is also the defending outdoor motocross champion and holds the U.S. Open title, giving him a clean sweep of the sport's "grand slam" and solidifying himself as the world's top rider.

The young champion took on a rigorous exercise and nutrition regimen prior to the 2001 season, losing 20 pounds and greatly increasing his strength, stamina and agility. Training under former world-class mountain bike racer Alton Baker, who supervises the advanced program, Carmichael's work ethic has vaulted him from young prospect to established superstar.