The GOAT remains heavily involved within the team and works closely with the riders during testing and development. Image: Simon Cudby.

Ricky Carmichael, the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT), will play an integral role within the revamped Dodge/Sycuan/Suzuki/RCH team which is owned by freestyle motocross legend Carey Hart.

Carmichael joined forces with the team established by Hart for 2013, bringing not only Suzuki support, but a vast wealth of knowledge to the table for team riders Broc Tickle and Josh Hill to benefit from greatly.

Hart says Carmichael is looked at in a rider leader capacity, and he remains hands on throughout the important testing and development stages to pass on his extensive knowledge of the Suzuki RM-Z450.

“Ricky is more of a rider leader,” Hart told MotoOnline. “People don’t understand because they’re not out there seeing it, but Ricky is very involved with this. He is very hands-on from the testing/development side and the riders call him every day after they get done training and riding.

“This definitely isn’t just where Ricky is just slapping his name on the truck and showing up, signing autographs. He is completely involved. Honestly, I’ve been trying to alleviate some of the creeping up stresses on him so he doesn’t get completely overwhelmed, but he’s taking it like a champ and he’s not backing down and he’s pushing forward.”

Tickle will contest both the 2013 AMA supercross and motocross series, whilst Hill will be on a supercross only deal at this point in time. Click here to read the complete in-depth interview with Hart.