The Show MUST GO ON!
I always said that if I ever had the chance to interview Johnny O’Mara the story would have to feature one of the most astounding races I had ever seen: the 1986 Motocross des Nations at Maggiora in Italy. Picture a spectacular motocross track with huge uphills and downhills, nestled in the shadow of the alps in northern Italy. Add a massive, passionate, euphoric crowd lining the fences with air horns and chainsaws blaring, under a bright blue sky on a blazing hot day. Then mix in all the best riders in the world, on the one track, on the one day, and you have a recipe for motocross greatness.
Team USA, then in the midst of what would be a more than decade-long period of MXdN dominance, fronted with the powerhouse trio of David Bailey, Ricky Johnson and O’Mara, all aboard potent Team Honda HRC works bikes.
The star-spangled trio did just what the MX world expected that day: they dominated. But it was O’Mara who delivered the stand-out ride. Aboard a CR125R, the O’Show turned on a show to remember. In the combined 125/500 moto, O’Mara was simply supreme. While team mate Bailey romped away out front on his CR500R, O’Mara wrung the neck of his
