1/7/05  Well Carmichael has successfully won the Vancouver supercross, putting him in first in the THQ World Supercross GP series.  He's looking good already, and he's eyeing Anaheim, which, because of its mudbogged track, is looking good for him. But what I've noticed is that there is two distinct lines in this country when it comes to RC, there are those who like him, and those who absolutely hate him.  Theres no in-between, no shades of grey, its black and white.  And after years of loving RC I can say that I have converted and now find distaste in him, this beginning when I saw him in the 2003 Houston Supercross badmouthing the other riders after he lost the 250 main.  What I've noticed is that he is conceded.  Disagree with me or not, this is a column so it is just opinion, but what I'm saying is RC is a winner, and he knows it.  He knows it so much that its hard for him to swallow a loss.  Plus, for someone who wins so much he does very little for the sport.  He rarely gives out autographs and doesn't really publicize.  Some may find this good, that he's not trying to go corporate, but the problem is that Supercross and Motocross are not main-stream sports yet.  Sure its growing, but it will only continue to grow if the stars of these great sports spread the image of dirt-biking sports through publicity.  Plus the riders need to connect with their fans to hold these sport's fan bases, and the best way to do that is through autographs to those fans loyal enough to stand in long lines and wait.  RC doesn't help the sport because he doesn't take part in these things.  So he's conceded and doesn't help the sport, so why should I be excited that he's winning???

                                                                   -Brandon Marshall