Jeremy McGrath on Ricky Carmichael GOAT status vs James Stewart: “Stewart Was the Better Rider”
Motocross legend Jeremy McGrath recently weighed in on one of the sport’s most debated topics—who was the better rider, Ricky Carmichael or James Stewart? Speaking on a recent podcast, McGrath made it clear that while Carmichael’s work ethic and achievements are unmatched, James Stewart was the more naturally talented rider.
McGrath: “James Was Just Built Different”
When asked to compare the two legends, McGrath didn’t hesitate to give his opinion.
“I feel Ricky worked very hard to get where he was, but James Stewart was a better rider than Ricky,” McGrath said. “Forget about the things Ricky won—James was an inventor of the Bubba Scrub. I feel James struggled with injuries that made him inconsistent.”
McGrath’s take adds to the long-standing debate. While Carmichael is widely recognized as the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) due to his 15 AMA championships, Stewart revolutionized the sport with his speed, creativity, and the groundbreaking Bubba Scrub, a technique that changed the way riders approached jumps.
Carmichael vs. Stewart: The Never-Ending Debate
McGrath’s comments reinforce the idea that talent alone doesn’t win championships. Carmichael outworked everyone, training harder and racing smarter than his competitors. Meanwhile, Stewart’s raw speed and technique were unrivaled, but injuries and inconsistency kept him from reaching the same championship heights as Carmichael.
The Bubba Scrub alone is a testament to Stewart’s genius, allowing riders to stay lower and carry more speed through jumps. Even Carmichael himself has admitted that Stewart was one of the fastest riders he ever faced.
McGrath’s Opinion Carries Weight
As the King of Supercross, McGrath knows what it takes to be great. His perspective is valuable because he raced against Carmichael and saw Stewart’s rise firsthand.
While Carmichael has the numbers and the championships, McGrath’s point about pure riding ability leans in favor of Stewart.
Final Thoughts
The debate between Carmichael and Stewart will never have a definitive answer, but McGrath’s take adds fuel to the fire. Was Stewart the better rider despite his lack of championships? Or does Carmichael’s relentless dominance outweigh natural ability?
One thing is for sure: the sport was never the same after these two battled on the track.
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