CARMICHAEL RE-SIGNS WITH SUZUKI
 Newly-crowned
AMA Supercross Champion Ricky Carmichael has re-signed with
the Makita Suzuki team for three more years.
He will defend his AMA Motocross title in 2006 and race select
Supercross events in 2007. After that, Carmichael will continue
to race select events and focus on mentoring Makita Suzuki’s
up-and-coming riders and developing the multi-championship-winning
RM and RM-Z lines.
"I'm really excited about continuing my relationship
with Makita Suzuki," said Carmichael. "I've enjoyed
these last two years with the team and we've accomplished
a lot together -- from Supercross and Motocross championships
to winning the 2005 Motocross des Nations. Working with Team
Manager Roger DeCoster has been amazing and Suzuki has treated
me like family. I can't say enough about the support that
I've received from the Makita Suzuki crew. Now that I'm moving
toward the end of my racing career, I look forward to doing
the races that I enjoy most. At the same time, I'm excited
about helping Makita Suzuki's young racers with bike testing
and development."
Carmichael signed with Makita Suzuki at the beginning of
the 2005 Supercross season and that year won the World Supercross
GP Championship, the AMA Supercross Championship, the AMA
Motocross Championship, the U.S. Open of Supercross and led
Team U.S.A. to victory at the Motocross des Nations.
Overall, Carmichael has five AMA Supercross titles and nine
AMA Motocross titles for a total of 14 championships - more
combined AMA Supercross/ Motocross championships than anyone.
Additionally, he is the only rider in history to have been
named AMA Pro Racing Speed Channel Athlete of the Year four
times.
“We’re thrilled about extending our contract
with a rider of Ricky Carmichael’s caliber,” said
Mel Harris, American Suzuki’s vice president of the
motorcycle/ ATV division. “There’s no one in the
paddock like Ricky. With his disciplined work ethic and his
extensive championship-winning experience, Ricky is an enormous
asset to Suzuki as we plan for the future. We’ve enjoyed
having Ricky as part of the Suzuki family and look forward
to continuing this relationship.”
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