Michael R. Bell (August 8, 1957 – January 25, 2021) was an American professional

motocross Motocross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. The sport evolved from motorcycle trials competitions held in the United Kingdom. History Motocross first evolved in Britain from motorcycle trials competi ...

and mountain bike racer. He competed in the

AMA Motocross Championship The AMA Motocross Championship (commercially known as Lucas Oil Pro Motocross) is an American motorcycle racing series. The motocross race series was founded and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) in 1972. The series is th ...

s from 1976 to 1983. Bell was a member of the

Yamaha Yamaha may refer to: * Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services, established in 1887. The company is the largest shareholder of Yamaha Motor Company (below). ** Yamaha Music Foundation, an organization estab ...

factory racing team for his entire motocross career, winning the

AMA Supercross Championship The AMA Supercross Championship (commercially known as Monster Energy AMA Supercross) is an American motorcycle racing series. Founded by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) in 1974, the AMA Supercross Championship races are held from ...

in 1980. He won twenty AMA and Trans-AMA events during his career. In 1983 Mike Bell's motocross career ended due to injuries, especially knee problems. While coming back from knee surgery he took up bicycling to rebuild strength. He went on to be a competitive mountain bike racer. Bell was inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame in 2001. Mike Bell died of a heart attack while bicycling near his home.

References

1957 births 2021 deaths American motocross riders AMA Motocross Championship National Champions Motorcycle racers from Los Angeles American mountain bikers Cyclists from Los Angeles Deaths from coronary thrombosis {{US-motorcycle-sport-bio-stub