Carmichael is SX champ

Ricky Carmciaehl has won the 2005 AMA/THQ Supercross Championship and given Suzuki their first series win in 24 years.

At the penultimate round in Houston, 25-year-old Carmichael only needed to finish in the top four to take the title. This added to the World Supercross title in win April, becoming the first rider to take both honours in a season.

The main final was won by James Stewart with championship rivals Carmichael and Chad Reed battling for second place. By lap four, reed has broken clear and begun to close on Stewart, but had to settle for second, with Carmichael third and taking the title. Kevin Windham and David Vuillemin completed the top five.

The championship title is Carmichael’s fourth in 250 Supercross and his 12th major AMA title. For Suzuki, it’s the first championship since Mark Barnett won the 1981 AMA 250 Supercross title.

“I have to thank Suzuki because they asked me if I’d be interested in riding for them and I took it upon myself to go there,” said Carmichael. “Suzuki believed in me when my leg was in a cast last year. This championship is the result of eight months of hard work and I want to thank the whole Makita Suzuki team, my parents, my wife and all the people who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.”