In a fiery exchange that has the motocross community buzzing, Ricky Carmichael has responded to Jeremy McGrath’s recent comments comparing his “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) status to James Stewart. Carmichael didn’t hold back, taking direct aim at McGrath’s statement and making it clear that, in his eyes, Stewart wasn’t on the same level as him in terms of accomplishments and career longevity.
Carmichael, widely regarded as one of the most dominant riders in the sport’s history, was quick to defend his position as the true GOAT. “Stewart was no better rider than me,” he said in a recent interview. “Where was Stewart when I was winning my championships?” Carmichael then pointed to one of his notable achievements, specifically his five consecutive AMA Supercross titles, a feat that solidified his place as a force in the sport. “I didn’t just have raw talent; I worked harder and outperformed everyone, racing smarter every time I got on the track,” Carmichael added, emphasizing his dedication to training, preparation, and overall consistency.
The rivalry between Carmichael and McGrath, both legends in the sport, has been well-documented over the years. However, Carmichael was clear in his disagreement with McGrath’s comparison of Stewart to himself. “Stewart was an amazing talent, no doubt. His raw speed and technique were remarkable. But all he had was raw speed. His injuries and inconsistency were what kept him from reaching the championship heights I reached.”
In his comments, Carmichael made it clear that his success wasn’t just about natural ability; it was about how he approached the sport. “I trained harder than anyone. I worked on every part of my game — technique, fitness, mindset,” he explained. “That’s why I kept winning championships year after year. Stewart didn’t have that same level of consistency or dedication. He was plagued by injuries and never could put it all together for a sustained run of championships.”
Carmichael’s message was clear: his dominance in the sport was not only a result of his natural talent but also a testament to his relentless work ethic and ability to race smarter than his competitors. He finished by telling McGrath to “get your facts right next time” when making comparisons between riders.
This bold statement from Carmichael has reignited the debate about who truly deserves the title of GOAT in motocross. While both Stewart and Carmichael had outstanding careers, the clear message from Carmichael is that his consistent championship success puts him a step ahead of his competitors in the conversation for the greatest of all time.
