Kevin Windham reduced Ricky Carmichael to tears of frustration in the East/West Supercross shoot-out but the 1997 125 Motocross Championship was Carmichael's chance for revenge. With speed and aggression Carmichael took Windham apart to take the championship in his first year as a pro. Long before the series was over Carmichael had tied up the title as he and Windham left seasoned pros like Steve Lamson shaking their heads in frustration at the skill of the young guns. Scott Sheak and Lamson also took race wins on some of the best prepared tracks in the world. Frenchman Mickael Pichon on the factory Suzuki and Honda of Troy's Stephane Roncada also showed flashes of brilliance.