Makita Suzuki’s Ricky Carmichael
will not compete at this weekend’s
US Open of Supercross
Seventeen-time champ forced to call it quits due to
medical condition
BREA, Calif., (October 9, 2007)
American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) announced today that
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael will not compete at this weekend’s US Open in
Las Vegas. Carmichael has been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), a debilitating
and complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue that is not improved by bed rest and that
may be worsened by physical or mental activity. CFS affects more than one million people in the
United States.
Carmichael’s condition was more than likely brought on by his recent intense schedule of
motorcycle and car racing, his training regime, and possibly a shortage of rest while caring for his
newborn twins. “I’ve just felt like I’ve been running out of steam the past few months. Training
has been difficult. I’ve struggled to maintain my normal pace on my road bike and though I’ve
been extremely tired, I’ve had a difficult time sleeping and never really feel rested,” said Carmichael.
Unfortunately, RC’s condition not only means that he’ll miss this weekend’s US Open in Vegas, but
he also will not be able to attend the Bercy Supercross in November as planned. This essentially
means that the seventeen-time champion’s motorcycle racing career has come to a premature
end. “I’m disappointed to have it end in this manner,” said Carmichael. “I was really looking
forward to racing the Open and Bercy. Suzuki has stepped up the testing on the new fuel-injected
RM-Z450 in order to premier it at the Open. I feel bad for Suzuki, my team and my sponsors as
well as Live Nation, who have been a great supporter of me during my supercross career. As it
turns out, MX des Nations was my last motorcycle race that came and went without the
celebration with my team and close friends I was looking forward to,” added Carmichael.
“We are obviously disappointed to see Ricky’s racing career with Makita Suzuki come to a end under these circumstances,” said team manager, Roger DeCoster. “RC has been great asset for the sport of supercross and motocross and is a wonderful mentor for so many younger and older riders. His absence from racing will be greatly missed. Ricky will continue to contribute to team Makita Suzuki with testing and consulting but the important thing now is that he gets the rest and treatment he needs to get well,” added DeCoster.
For more information on Team Makita Suzuki Racing, log onto 
www.teamsuzuki.com.
today.
