Mike Larocco's Supercross
Season EndsEarly
Team AMSOIL/Factory Connection/Chaparral/Honda’s
Mike LaRocco has called it quits for the 2005 AMA/THQ Supercross season
just one round short of the complete season. As the series heads to
its conclusion this weekend in Las Vegas Larocco made the decision not
to compete after he was knocked out.
LaRocco, battling for position in a heat race two, had a slight lapse
in judgment and came up short on a triple jump. The ensuing crash pummeled
the veteran rider’s head into the face of the of another jump,
knocking him unconscious for more than half a minute and injuring his
shoulder. ("One of the shoulders I've had surgery on," joked
LaRocco.)
Dry sense of humor still very much intact, LaRocco was
in fairly good spirits on Monday despite the carnage. He explained he
has what physicians refer to as a “Level 3” concussion. But
he's not really sure of the extent of his shoulder injury because, again
joking, "I'm too sore to lift my arm yet."
So, because of the concussion and doctors orders, no
riding for two weeks – which means LaRocco won’t boot up and
race this weekend at the THQ/AMA Supercross Series’ final event
at Las Vegas' Sam Boyd Stadium. Noteworthy in the final race is that,
heading into Houston, LaRocco had a comfortable 18-point lead over rival
David Vuillemin for fourth overall in the 250 class standings. Larocco's
DNF meant that Vuillemin closed the lead to two points, 229-227, and
looks like he will most certainly overtake LaRocco for the fourth o/a
spot in the 250 class this weekend.
"You know, for me to worry about 4th or 5th, the
risk versus reward is just not worth it," he said. "David
(Vuillemin) and I ended up racing against each other quite a bit this
year and I was fortunate to be out in front of him almost every time."
LaRocco winds up in fifth place overall. Is he pleased
with that?
"Honestly, it's a pretty unsettling season,"
he explained. "I know from the beginning of the year where I wanted
to be – and that’s pretty far apart from where I wound up.
I’ve had a hard time coming to terms with that I’m just not
fast enough anymore."
So does this mean “The Rock” won’t be
returning for the supercross season next year?
Added LaRocco with a smile: "Gives me something
to do over the summer I guess.
article reprint from www.fullnoise.com
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