Carmichael goes two for two, Sellards takes 125s.

Defending AMA Supercross champion Ricky Carmichael made it look easy in round five of the 2002 campaign, stroking to victory on the series third visit to Anaheim in California.

Carmichael was so good, in fact, that he almost made the event look boring. After a difficult start to the season, which included a bone-crunching spill at the Anaheim opener, the Honda rider is back on form after taking his second win in a row.

Carmichael was running third at the beginning of the 250 main, before passing Stephane Roncada for second to set-up what the entire stadium - and US Supercross in general this season - had been waiting for. The only man now standing between Carmichael and the lead was multiple champion Jeremy McGrath - and the Yamaha man - also on his way back from a poor start to the year - was not about to make it easy.

After a mild dice, however, Carmichael was not to be denied, passing McGrath at the end of a gnarly whoop section as the latter made a slight mistake. From then on, it was the reigning champion's race, as Carmichael steadily increased his lead all the way until the chequered flag.

McGrath continues to improve on his 2002 results, however, and, despite falling away from the leading and being swallowed up by the pack, the severe 'arm pump' he suffered at previous four rounds appeared to have gone. The seven-time champion looked to be back to his best in California, and led the main comfortably in the early stages. That he eventually finished sixth was no reflection on his overall performance.

Roncada put in what many described as his best ever ride ever on a 250 to take home second place. Looking both smooth and aggressive, 'RonRon' duelled with Carmichael for a time before settling down to consolidate a podium finish at McGrath's expense..

Series leader David Vuillemin took the final rostrum position with a comfortable ride through the pack. The Frenchman clearly has one eye on the title, and did not want to do anything risky enough to produce an spill and allow the chasing points pack back into the fight. With closest rival Mike LaRocco taking fourth on the night, it proved to be a prudent decision, and Vuillemin continues to enjoy a nine-point advantage overall. Carmichael's win moves him into third place.

In front of a sell-out crowd of 45,000 fans, Nathan Ramsey rounded out the top five, ahead of the luckless McGrath, Travis Pastrana, Michael Byrne, Ernesto Fonseca and Ezra Lusk.

In the 125 West main event, Brock Sellards was the clear victor. The KTM rider took the lead as early as the first corner, and maintained it for all 15 laps of the Anaheim course.

Chasing to make up ground in the points standings, Sellards did all he could to ensure maximum points, and won comfortably from Honda's Chris Gosselaar, with Billy Laninovich third.

Points leader 'Bubba' Stewart finished only eleventh due to a couple of falls, but he retained his West series advantage over Travis Preston as the Honda rider failed to take advantage by only finishing fifth on the night.

The 250 Series heads east to Indianapolis this week, while the 125 riders take a break. The 'junior' action will continue, however, as the 125 East Series kicks off in Indiana.

250 Main - results:

1. Ricky Carmichael Honda
2. Stephane Roncada KAawasaki
3. David Vuillemin Yamaha
4. Mike LaRocco Honda
5. Nate Ramsey Honda
6. Jeremy McGrath Yamaha
7. Travis Pastrana Suzuki
8. Michael Byrne Honda
9. Ernesto Fonseca Honda
10. Ezra Lusk Kawasaki

125 West Main - results:

1. Brock Sellards KTM
2. Chris Gosselaar Honda
3. Billy Laninovich KTM
4. Kevin Johnson Yamaha
5. Travis Preston Honda
6. Joseph Oehlhof Yamaha
7. Keith Johnson Yamaha
8. Ivan Tedesco Yamaha
9. Craig Decker Yamaha
10. Mike Brandes Suzuka

250 - point standings:

1. David Vuillemin 112 points
2. Mike LaRocco 103
3. Ricky Carmichael 87
4. Travis Pastrana 80
5. Ezra Lusk 68
6. Nate Ramsey 65
7. Stephane Roncada 63
8. Jeremy McGrath 61
9. Michael Byrne 56
10. Kevin Windham 48

125 West - points standings:

1. James Stewart 104 points
2. Travis Preston 83
3. Ivan Tedesco 82
4. Brock Sellards 77
5. Chris Gosselaar 76
6. Rodrig Thain 64
7. David Pingree 62
8. Keith Johnson 59
9. Travis Elliot 55
10. Craig Decker 48