Jeremy McGrath discussed Ricky Carmichael’s GOAT status in comparison to James Stewart, stating, “Stewart was the better rider.” He emphasized that Stewart’s speed and technique were unmatched, though injuries and inconsistency prevented him from achieving the same level of championship success as Carmichael.
McGrath pointed out that it took Ricky three years to beat him when he was 30, and the Bubba Scrub alone showcases Stewart’s exceptional talent.
Jeremy McGrath, a legend in the world of motocross, recently shared his thoughts on the ongoing debate over who deserves the title of the greatest of all time (GOAT) in the sport. The names at the center of this conversation are Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart, two of the most iconic and accomplished riders to ever grace the motocross track.
While both athletes have left an undeniable mark on the sport, McGrath, who himself is a multiple-time champion, made it clear that, in his opinion, James Stewart was the superior rider—despite Carmichael’s greater championship success.
In his comments, McGrath didn’t shy away from acknowledging the immense achievements of Ricky Carmichael.
After all, Carmichael’s career is decorated with an unparalleled number of titles, championships, and victories that have made him a revered figure in the motocross community.
His GOAT status, especially in the eyes of many, stems from his consistency, dominant performances, and sheer willpower to win.
However, McGrath made it clear that, in his opinion, Stewart’s raw talent and ability on the bike put him a cut above Carmichael when it came to pure riding skill.
According to McGrath, what set Stewart apart was his exceptional speed and technical ability. He spoke about Stewart’s innate skill on the bike, noting that the younger rider possessed an unmatched level of raw speed that was rarely seen in motocross history.
Stewart was known for his smooth, efficient, and aggressive riding style, often leaving competitors in his wake.
McGrath also pointed to Stewart’s technical skills, which, in his view, made the rider a force to be reckoned with, both in the air and on the ground.
These attributes, according to McGrath, made Stewart the better rider in terms of pure talent.
While McGrath was quick to praise Stewart’s natural abilities, he also pointed out that Stewart’s career was unfortunately marred by a series of injuries and a level of inconsistency that ultimately prevented him from reaching the same heights as Carmichael in terms of championship victories. McGrath acknowledged that Stewart had all the tools necessary to dominate the sport, but a string of injuries and struggles with consistency often hindered his ability to consistently perform at the highest level.
Injuries kept Stewart from sustaining long-term dominance, and in some cases, they sidelined him during critical moments in his career.
This point is one of the key differences McGrath highlighted between the two riders.
While Stewart was capable of winning races with ease when at his best, Carmichael’s career was defined by his resilience and consistency.
Carmichael’s ability to remain healthy, avoid injury, and consistently perform at a championship level allowed him to build a career that resulted in multiple championships.
In contrast, Stewart’s potential was sometimes untapped due to the unpredictable nature of his injuries. McGrath’s argument was that, had Stewart been able to stay healthy for longer stretches, he could have matched or even exceeded Carmichael’s achievements.
One of the most intriguing aspects of McGrath’s discussion was his comparison of their rivalry.
McGrath pointed out that when Ricky Carmichael first came onto the scene and began to challenge him for victories, it took Carmichael a full three years to beat him, even when McGrath was already in his 30s.
This statement is a significant acknowledgment of McGrath’s own skill and longevity, but it also serves to highlight the different trajectories of Carmichael and Stewart’s careers. Carmichael’s early years were marked by a period of growth and development, where he learned how to race at the highest level, while Stewart, on the other hand, arrived on the scene with already established raw talent that allowed him to make an immediate impact. However, Stewart’s career, while brimming with promise, was also marked by bouts of inconsistency, which prevented him from sustaining the kind of domination Carmichael was able to maintain over the years.
One of the most iconic elements of James Stewart’s career, according to McGrath, was the invention of the now-famous “Bubba Scrub.” The Bubba Scrub, a technique Stewart developed to maximize his airtime and improve his cornering speed, became a hallmark of his riding style and quickly became one of the most talked-about aspects of his career. The Bubba Scrub allowed Stewart to maintain control of his bike while airborne, allowing him to maintain a higher level of speed through the jumps and corners. This innovation, in McGrath’s eyes, was a testament to Stewart’s creativity and technical prowess. The fact that Stewart was able to change the way riders approached jumps and cornering was a sign of his forward-thinking approach to motocross and his natural ability to push the limits of what was thought possible on a dirt bike.
McGrath’s comments shed light on the reality of the sport and the different paths taken by these two legends. While Ricky Carmichael’s career was defined by his ability to consistently win and dominate in championship settings, James Stewart’s legacy is that of a rider who was, at his peak, simply unbeatable when he was on form. The inconsistency and injuries that plagued Stewart’s career, however, left some wondering what might have been had he been able to put together a longer stretch of flawless seasons. It’s clear that, for McGrath, Stewart’s untapped potential and raw skill made him the better rider, even if Carmichael’s career was marked by more sustained success.
In the broader context of the debate over who is the greatest motocross rider of all time, McGrath’s comments are a reminder that the GOAT conversation is often subjective and can vary depending on the metrics used to measure success. While Carmichael’s championships are undeniable, Stewart’s impact on the sport and his unrivaled natural ability to ride the bike make him a strong contender in the GOAT discussion. McGrath’s perspective offers a nuanced look at the debate, one that doesn’t simply rely on titles and statistics but also takes into account the artistry and flair that Stewart brought to the sport.
Ultimately, McGrath’s statement about Stewart being the better rider highlights the fact that motocross is not just about the number of championships won or the number of races dominated. It is also about the skill, technique, and natural ability that a rider brings to the track. In this sense, James Stewart’s influence on the sport and his incredible skill level put him in a category of his own, even if his career was not as consistently decorated with championships as that of Ricky Carmichael. Whether or not Stewart would have reached the same championship heights as Carmichael is open to debate, but McGrath’s admiration for Stewart’s talent is clear—and it serves as a reminder that the sport of motocross is about more than just the final results on the scoreboard.
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