The Villopoto story from Indy

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Villopoto Keeps Win Streak Alive in Indy

Irvine, Calif. – Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto increased his win streak to three as he took his fifth win of the season on his Kawasaki KX450F at the 10th round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM Championship. With his win, he increased his points lead to 26 points ahead of second place in the championship standings. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett continued his podium streak with a third place finish and maintained second place in the championship standings. Teammate Dean Wilson finished in sixth, while interim supercross class rider Fabien Izoird continued to improve and finished in 14th.

Proven Winner

For the third week in a row, Villopoto earned his place on the top step of the podium after putting in a solid ride on a technical track. He got out to a good start and moved into the lead before the end of the first lap, holding a comfortable lead throughout the entire race.

"The track was pretty technical and ended up getting pretty rutted towards the end of the race," said Villopoto. "You really had to stay on top of your game once the track started to break down a little bit. I knew I had a decent lead and I just tried to make sure I didn’t make any big mistakes."

Consistency

Baggett continued to prove he is a serious contender for the championship for the long haul after scoring his fourth consecutive podium finish on his Kawasaki KX250F. Baggett showed speed all night, starting with a heat race win and then the main event holeshot. He made a small mistake that cost him the lead, but he got up quickly and came across the finish line in third.

"It’s not easy to see the win slip away because of a stupid mistake on my part," said Baggett. "I wasn’t able to get into a groove and ride my own race, which seemed to make a difference when I won last week. I am glad to be in the mix of riders for the championship as we reach the halfway point."

Five Races Left

Wilson still has five races left to make his move for the top of the podium. He didn’t get the start he wanted and had to work his way through the pack to finish sixth.

"I’m very disappointed with myself," said Wilson. "I rode well in practice and I felt like I had what it took to win. I’m really hard on myself so it’s not easy for me to leave a race knowing I didn’t do well. At least I know there is another race next week."

Improvement

Indy marked Izoird’s sixth race with the Monster Energy Kawasaki team and it was obvious that Izoird has been getting more comfortable with the U.S.-style tracks. After an impressive start in the heat, he held on to sixth and transferred straight into the main event. In the main, his start wasn’t as stellar, but still managed to race inside the top-15.

"Every week has been a learning experience and I’m getting used to racing in America," said Izoird. "It’s very different, but I’m so happy to be on this awesome team with an amazing bike. I’m planning to work on my starts and my first-lap speed."

Legitimate

In Daytona, Villopoto built a 23-point cushion in the standings and could have easily settled in to maintain the series lead. Instead the Washington native came out swinging where he won his heat race and then led every lap of the main event.

"Everyone asked if I’m going to take it easy because I had a decent points lead, but I really want to get more wins. That is going to be helpful in the long run, but of course I’m not going to try anything that could lead to big mistakes. I am working really hard and I’m not going to stop until Las Vegas."

Sold Out

Multiple times this season, supercross fans have packed into the sold-out stadiums to see great racing. The fans in Indianapolis were no exception and Villopoto felt the electricity in the stadium.

"The stadium is really loud inside and the fans really helped make the atmosphere," said Villopoto. "We can hear everyone when we go around the track and it makes the race that much better."

Back on the Bike

After two months of recovery from a broken arm he suffered in January, Villopoto’s teammate Jake Weimer got back in his Monster Energy Kawasaki KX450F last week.

"I’m so happy to be riding again," said Weimer. "After being off the bike, it makes you really excited when the time actually comes to get back out there. I want to come back as soon as possible, but I am not going to rush anything. I want to be 100 percent for the outdoor season."

Results

AMA Supercross Series Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, 12 March.

AMA Supercross Class Results
1. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POUSLBO, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI

2. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha

3. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda

4. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki

5. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha

6. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda

7. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda

8. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Yamaha

9. Cole Seely, Corona, Calif., Honda

10. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM

11. David Millsaps, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha

12. MATT BONI, GENEVA, FLA., KAWASAKI

13. Michael Byrne, Dade City, Fla., Suzuki

14. FABIEN IZOIRD, FRANCE, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
15. MATT GOERKE, DELTONA, FLA., KAWASAKI

16. Tye Simmonds, Menifee, Calif., KTM

17. Robert Kiniry, Holland Patent, N.Y., Suzuki

18. CHRIS BLOSE, PHOENIX, ARIZ., KAWASAKI
19. IVAN TEDESCO, MURRIETA, CALIF., KAWASAKI

20. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM

AMA Supercross Lites Results, Eastern Region

1. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, Ky., Yamaha

2. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda

3. BLAKE BAGGETT, GRAND TERRACE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI

4. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki

5. MATT LEMOINE, COLLINSVILLE, TEXAS, KAWASAKI
6. DEAN WILSON, MENIFEE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI

7. Blake Wharton, Aubrey, Texas, Honda

8. PJ Larsen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM

9. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda

10. Les Smith, York, S.C., Honda

11. Gannon Audette, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha

12. Bradley Ripple, Crown Point, Ind., Honda

13. Taylor Futrell, Clinton, N.C., Honda

14. Ricky Renner, Lakeland, Fla., KTM

15. MICHAEL AKAYDIN, LOUISVILLE, KY., KAWASAKI

16. Nico Izzi, Sun City, Calif., Honda

17. TYLER SJOBERG, CASTAIC, CALIF., KAWASAKI

18. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki

19. Shawn Rife, Mechanicsburg, Ohio, Honda

20. Hunter Hewitt, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki

AMA Supercross Class Points
1. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POUSLBO, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 221

2. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha, 195

3. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda, 192

4. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 183

5. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 169

6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM, 129

7. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha, 121

8. Davi Millsaps, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha, 114

9. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki, 107

10. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 103

11. IVAN TEDESCO, MURRIETA, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 90

12. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Yamaha, 82

13. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 68

14. Kyle Regal, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 60

15. CHRIS BLOSE, PHOENIX, ARIZ., KAWASAKI, 53

16. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha, 46

17. MATT BONI, GENEVA, FLA., KAWASAKI, 43

18. Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM, 27

19. FABIEN IZOIRD, FRANCE, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 26

20. Weston Peick, Wilomar, Calif., Yamaha, 24

AMA Supercross Lites Points, Eastern Region

1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 91

2. BLAKE BAGGETT, GRAND TERRACE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 85

3. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, Ky., Yamaha, 79

4. DEAN WILSON, MENIFEE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 75

5. Blake Wharton, Aubrey, Texas, Honda, 65

6. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 52

7. MATT LEMOINE, COLLINSVILLE, TEXAS, KAWASAKI, 51

8. PJ Larsen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 46

9. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki, 44

10. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda, 40

11. Lance Vincent, Youngsville, La., Honda, 33

12. Les Smith, York, S.C., Honda, 22

13. Taylor Futrell, Clinton, N.C., Honda, 21

14. Hunter Hewitt, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki, 18

15. Gannon Audette, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha, 18

16. Ian Trettel, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki, 16

17. Levi Kilbarger, Logan, Ohio, Honda, 16

18. Bradley Ripple, Crown Point, Ind., Honda, 15

19. Nico Izzi, Sun City, Calif., Honda, 15

20. Shawn Rife, Mechanicsburg, Ohio, Honda, 11