Top 10 Extreme Sports Athletes Series: No. 9, Mike LaRocco

Before there was Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart there was Mike LaRocco.

LaRocco was the ironman of Supercross and Motocross for more than 18 years. LaRocket, as he was known to the racing community, started his career in 1988 and for a record 19 seasons was at the top of the standings. He rode everything from a 125 to a 500 and started more motocross and supercross races than any rider in history. LaRocco will not go down in history as the greatest champion (that’s a title nobody will ever take away from McGrath, who will be featured later in this series), but he will go down in history as the most consistent and durable riders ever.

In his 19 year career, LaRocco won four championships including the AMA 500 cc National Motocross Series in 1993, AMA 250 cc National Motocross Series in 1994, the Supercross World Championship in 2000 and the THQ U.S. Open Supercross Championship in 2002. That resume would be impressive for any professional rider, but that’s the only reason LaRocco is on the list as one of the top extreme sports athletes of all time. LaRocco’s durability help and dedication to the sport helped bring more fans to the world of professional off road motorcycle racing.

LaRocco is considered an ironman because he consistently made the podium year after year, even when up-and-coming riders like McGrath, Carmichael, Ezra Lusk and Damon Huffman were tearing up tracks. These were riders that all had more natural talent than LaRocco, but could not mach him in experience and determination. In the mid to late 90’s when McGrath was dominating every race, the road to second place always went through LaRocco. You could never count him out of a race and if you were looking to make the podium it was going to take every ounce of speed you could get from your bike and a mistake free ride. LaRocco was known for being approachable and a low key personality off the track. But on the track he was bloodthirsty and could grind a rider into the ground with his tenacity to win.

Without riders like LaRocco and McGrath there would be no freestyle motocross. The sport exploded in the late 90’s from an exhibition at supercross events to a sport that can sell out 50,000 seat stadiums. While LaRocco’s participation in freestyle motocross events was limited (as far as I know he never competed in any freestyle events other than a few exhibitions), he was one of the biggest drams to races around the county. That exposition in the fan base helped launch the careers of the early freestyle riders.

LaRocco retired from racing in 2006. He racked up 228 starts, more than two dozen victories and finished in the top five 145 times. He’s one of the best riders ever and that’s why he is number 9 on the Heavy Hands list of the Top 10 Extreme Sports Athletes.

~Tip

Here's a kick ass profile about LaRocco:

Tippy is the Heavy Hands blogger and can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .