Ernesto Fonseca

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Ernesto Fonseca, also known as "El Presidente" is a Supercross Professional from Costa Rica.

[edit] Background

Born on September 3, 1981 in Costa Rica's capital, San José, Ernesto Fonseca began riding dirt bikes at the age of 5. At 12 years old, his natural talent had led him and his family to USA for a chance to race in mini-classes. When in the 80cc class, Ernesto dominated completely to the point that every race everyone looked for who finished 2nd to Ernesto. At this point, Ernesto decided to move up to the 125cc Pro class, where huge figures of costarrican motocross such as Adrian Robert, Rodolfo Peña, Arnoldo Beeche and others had a tough battle for the championship. At first, there was a little controversy since MotoClub de Costa Rica has this rule, that the minimum age to ride 125's was 17, in the end M.C.C.R. modified this rule and Ernesto was perfectly legal in the 125cc class. It was in his first exibition race in la Guácima where Ernesto showed his speed beating Adrian Robert. From here on, Ernesto and Adrian Robert were the fans favorites and the all time contenders for the 125cc & 250cc class titles, battling one each other race after race. Ernesto's dominance also gave him several 125cc. Latin American MX championships. Ernesto was a tough-shedule guy since in between races, he was also a big contender of winter olympics and Loretta Lynn's where he met his long time friend Ricky Carmichael, and where soon Phil Alderton and Erik Kehoe of Yamaha of Troy would hire him to race the 1999 AMA Supercross Series East. It was just matter of time for Ernesto to step up to US motocross, but Costa Rica was entirely excited to see that now it was a dream come true: Our top MX rider now goes PRO! AMA Pro Racing, and Yamoaha of Troy (Y.O.T.), embraced Ernesto and made him feel like at home. A confidence boost for Ernesto was also that he was understudy of names like Jeremy McGrath, our dearest Jimmy Button & Others.

That season he had certainly proven himself, winning the first five rounds of the series, and the championship. For this, Ernesto was named the 1999 "AMA Rookie of the year," and he went on to win the 125 East division championship (first championship for Yamaha of Troy as a Team) aboard a Y.O.T. YZ125R. Ernesto's second season at Y.O.T. was full of strugles since he switched from 2 to 4-strokes and at several races, his YZ250F stalled making "The Fonz" to fall back positions. On his third season now accustomed to his 4-stroke bike and the different riding it requires, he went on to win the weast conference championship. He became the fisrt rider to win both East and West division championships and also the first rider to win Supercross on a four-stroke.

As AMA rules state a rider must move to the 250cc Supercross class if they've won two 125cc Supercross championships, Ernesto joined the full-factory American Honda racing team in 2002 joining long time friend Ricky Carmichael. At honda, RC helped a lot Ernesto, helping him improve outdoors. This was reflected by Ernesto riding always in the top 5.

Tragically, Ernesto's career came to an end due to a practice crash that broke cervicals C5, C6 and C7. Ernesto Fonseca, a tough rider, an awesome person, is and will always be a Costarrican MX legend and inspiration.

[edit] Injury

As well-known as the dangers of motocross are, the entire motocross world was stunned to hear on March 7, 2006 Ernesto was injured while practicing on his private track. Landing on his head, he suffered a fracture to the C-7 vertebra and bruising to his spine. Just two days after the accident, doctors performed what was described as a successful surgery and on April 13, 2006 he was transferred to Colorado for rehabilitation.

The accident left Ernesto without any feeling from the chest down, and at only 25 years old, the sport has suffered the loss of one of its brightest stars. Known for his charming charismatic persona, and having genuine appreciation for his career, thousands show their support for him sending cards, letters, and pictures from all over the world. Reports on his condition can be found on his homepage

On May 5, 2006 The Road 2 Recovery Foundation paired up with the Women's Motocross & Supercross Foundation for their Seventh Annual 'Slots of Golf' Supercross Celebrity Golf Classic, to benefit Ernesto. The event pairs celebrities of the sport with fans for a golf game at Badlands Golf Course.

[edit] Career overview

2005

6th AMA 250 Supercross Series

3rd AMA 250 National Motocross Series

2004

27th AMA 250 Supercross Series

5th AMA 250 National Motocross Series

2003

3rd AMA 250 Supercross Series

8th AMA 250 National Motocross Series

2002

7th AMA 250 Supercross Series

4th AMA 125 National Motocross Series

2001

1st AMA 125 Western Region Supercross Series

8th AMA 125 East/West Supercross Shootout

3rd AMA 125 National Motocross Series

2000

5th AMA 125 Eastern Region Supercross Series

7th AMA 125 National Motocross Series

1999

1st AMA 125 Eastern Region Supercross Series

8th AMA 125 National Motocross Series

1999 AMA Rookie of the Year