The fallout from the controversial red flag incident at the 2025 Detroit Supercross 250SX Main Event has sparked outrage across the motocross community, and now, legendary rider Ricky Carmichael has shared his unfiltered opinion on the matter.
The situation began when Cameron McAdoo crashed late in the race while Max Anstie had a commanding seven-second lead. The crash led to the race being halted and a restart, which wiped out Anstie’s hard-earned advantage. The dramatic turn of events allowed Levi Kitchen to capitalize on the fresh start and ultimately secure the win, leaving Anstie frustrated and upset.
Carmichael, a seven-time AMA Supercross champion and one of the most respected voices in the sport, didn’t hold back when discussing the decision to throw the red flag. “It’s a bullsht call and embarrassing for the AMA,” Carmichael said. “They waited two laps to pull the red flag, and if they’re going to wait that long, they could’ve waited one more lap and thrown the checkers. I mean, they let McAdoo walk off in a neck brace for fs sake, we’re turning into a joke. It’s bad on the riders.”
Carmichael expressed his disbelief at the timing of the red flag. Despite McAdoo walking off the track under his own power, the decision to halt the race was made, changing the course of the event entirely. For Carmichael, it wasn’t just a matter of the race result—it was a reflection of the direction the sport was heading. “Definitely wasn’t fair to Anstie. Wow, that sucks so bad for Max,” Carmichael added. “I can’t see any way that situation is acceptable for our sport.”
The controversy stemmed not just from the timing of the red flag but from what many saw as inconsistency in race rules. Carmichael pointed out that in previous races, a red flag had only been thrown if a majority of the race had been completed, and in Detroit, the situation was handled differently. “Last week, when they had red flags, it was if 90% of the race was done. This week, the rule changes to if there’s time left on the clock? It just doesn’t make sense.”
Carmichael’s remarks reflect a growing concern within the motocross community about the inconsistency of race regulations and how they impact riders. The situation has drawn criticism from fans, riders, and experts alike, all questioning whether the current approach to red flag incidents is in the best interest of the sport.
For Anstie, the timing of the red flag cost him what seemed like a guaranteed victory. Carmichael’s strong words serve as a reminder that the integrity of the sport is paramount, and there needs to be more clarity and fairness in how situations like this are handled. As the season continues, this controversy is sure to linger, and many are hoping for a resolution to prevent similar incidents in the future.
