- "For myself I exclusively wanted to do supercross because I felt that it was more competitive and with that I want to win races and do the best I can. It’s a little scary going down in every heat race and wadding it up and knowing it was close. I just want to get cleaned up and get my starts down and ride better races not worry about anything else."
- —Mike LaRocco on retiring from outdoor racing. [src]
Mike LaRocco (born February 12, 1971) is a professional Supercross and Motocross racer. He is often referred to as "the rock" and races a Honda 450cc four-stroke dirt bike.
Mike LaRocco has been pro since 1988 a record 19 seasons. He also made his 214th start in 2005, also a record. He won the 500cc Motocross title in 1993, the 250cc Motocross title in 1994, and has also won the 2000 World Supercross and 2002 U.S. Open Supercross Championships. In 2002 another rider caused LaRocco to crash at a small town Supercross event. The accident caused LaRocco to dislocate his wrist and tear ligaments in his leg. The injury caused him to discontinue the Supercross season, the first time in seven years he hadn't participated. In 2004 he stopped racing motocross, so he could focus on Supercross exclusively. During the 2006 Supercross season, he announced his retirement.
LaRocco currently lives in Corona, California with his wife Elizabeth and son Ryder, who is six years old.
Some Achievements[]
- 1988
- 3rd in AMA 125 cc Eastern Region Supercross Series
- 1989
- 2nd in AMA 125 cc Western Region Supercross Series
- 1990
- 3rd in AMA 250 cc National Motocross Series
- 1991
- 5th in AMA 250 cc National Motocross Series
- 1992
- 2nd in AMA 125 cc National Motocross Series
- 1993
- 1st in AMA 500 cc National Motocross Series
- 2nd in AMA 250 cc National Motocross Series
- 1994
- 1st in AMA 250 cc National Motocross Series
- 2nd in AMA/Camel 250 cc Supercross Series
- 1995
- 6th in AMA 250 cc U.S. Supercross Series
- 1996
- 3rd in AMA 250 cc National Motocross Series
- 1997
- 5th in AMA 250 cc National Motocross Series
- 1998
- 3rd in AMA/Mazda Trucks 250 cc Motocross Nationals
- 1999
- 3rd AMA 250 cc U.S. Supercross Series
- 3rd AMA/Mazda Trucks 250 cc Motocross Nationals
- 2000
- 1st Supercross World Championship
- 2001
- 3rd AMA/EA Sports Supercross Series
- 2002
- 1st THQ U.S. Open Supercross Championship
- 2003
- 5th U.S. Open 250 cc Supercross Championship
- 2004
- 3rd THQ/AMA 250 cc Supercross Series
- 3rd US Open 250 cc Supercross Championship
- 2005
- Made 214th AMA Supercross Start
- 5th THQ/AMA 250 cc Supercross Series
- 2006
- March 2, After 228 main event starts, LaRocco announced at the Indianapolis Supercross press conference that he would retire at the end of the season.