Ricky Carmichael about Triumph in the MXGP
Last year the arrival of Triumph in motocross was announced with great fanfare. Enduro specialist Ivan Cervantes and living motocross legend Ricky Carmichael were brought in to develop the machines.
It is a certainty that the spectacular news preceded a long process of development, but this weekend the English brand from Hinckley broke the silence with the announcement that Triumph will participate in the MX2024 World Championship in 2 with two riders.
Ricky Carmichael, did you see this coming?
Ricky Carmichael: “No, I didn't see that! It is an incredible experience and an opportunity that I am very happy and excited about. It's been a long road to get here, to where we are now. The job isn't quite done yet, but it's been a fun experience and I never in a million years thought I'd be in this position, but it's certainly a great position.
How much do you ride the bike and how much are you part of the development, seeing the progress and enjoying this part of the job?
Ricky Carmichael: Yes, I have ridden the bike a lot, it is many, many years of hard work and progress from day one. I spent many hours on the machine. It's been fun, really. So we'll see what happens, I think everyone will be really excited, the bike is very, very competitive and I think it is capable of winning.
Have you looked at other manufacturers, or ridden one of those bikes to find out where Triumph wants to go?
Ricky Carmichael: I think that in the motorcycle world you always look at what your competitors have and where they perform well and less well and respect those brands. Because you have to be better than them or at least try to be better than them, so sure, but that's been happening for a long time!
Will we see you more at the MXGP races now?
Ricky Carmichael: It depends on my schedule with supercross and TV, I would definitely like to attend some MX2 events. I always enjoy going to watch Motocross World Championships, they are moving now, we'll see what happens, it just depends on my schedule outside of Triumph.
You are quite busy, of course you do the supercross commentary and the Triumph assignment, I remember you considered motocross as a job in your career, do you enjoy riding more now than then?
Ricky Carmichael: This is a lot of fun for me. When I raced it was a job and I got paid to win, now I enjoy helping out and sharing my knowledge and what I've learned over the years. It has been a lot of fun and it is a journey that I have enjoyed. I love to ride and test new parts.
Even though you enjoyed your victories, I can imagine that you would have liked to enjoy daily life more during your career. Antonio Cairoli is 37 today and has a number one record. Don't you ever think: “I might have extended my career if I could have enjoyed the daily ritual?
Ricky Carmichael: I certainly could have extended my career, but I also could have gotten hurt and not enjoyed the things I was able to accomplish. I don't really look back and say, man, I wish I had raced a little more, just because of the risk and I was happy with what I achieved, this is a nice mix, what I'm doing now.
A lot of people always claimed that Kevin Windham was a natural and maybe more talented than you. You had more passion for the sport and work ethic. Do you feel like Kevin was more talented to you?
Ricky Carmichael: He was much more talented than me. I could only work a little harder than Kevin, but I always had enormous respect for him, I learned a lot from Kevin.
Was there a secret to your success? You didn't get hurt much, but despite that everyone thought you were driving at the limit! But to win ten outdoor and five supercross titles – were you really pushing the limit?
Ricky Carmichael: That's the thing, everyone thinks there is a secret answer, I worked hard for it, I rode on the edge a lot, but I practiced that way and that made me comfortable during the races. There really is no secret.
Red Bud is a great facility. Do you have good and bad memories of the MXoN, does that all come back to an event like this?
Ricky Carmichael: This is definitely a great place for the MXoN. I have a lot of good memories of it, I rode the Nations Cup six times and won three times, so there are also some less good memories, but in general it is always nice to represent your country.
Is there more pressure to race for America in the Nations Cup than in an AMA race? And even against someone like McGrath? This year is also Eli's last motocross and he can win his first Nations in America. Can you imagine the stress they are going through?
Ricky Carmichael: I think the MXGP guys in all countries are racing a bit harder for this race than in their regular races on the weekends, unless they are in a championship situation. I think they will see the best of everyone, in the end this race is not always about being the fastest, but about being the most consistent. As for which team will win, I would like to see the USA do well. But there are also individual races within the competition. I want to see the guys do a great race, like Cairoli for example, if this is his last race ever and the same goes for Eli. It's not just about overall victory for me this weekend.
Interview: Jonathan McCready
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