Category: News & Blog

After visiting the hospital and still powering through the main event last week in Toronto, Villopoto arrived in St. Louis 100-percent healthy and ready. He won his heat race without challenge and took over the lead on the first lap of the main event. The champ then led the charge for 10 laps until James Stewart got to the inside of him. Villopoto changed a few lines after following in second but could not find a spot to make the pass back. Second place allowed him to extend his championship lead by 10 points and gives him a 35-point gap with four rounds remaining.

“Tonight was good for us,” said Villopoto. “Considering how last week went and how close the points could have been, we can’t ask for much better. James (Stewart) rode really well tonight and I didn’t expect him to go for the pass where he did, but we’ll learn from it and be back next weekend.”

While Villopoto was out front, it looked as though he was giving up a little bit in the whoop section as he was going down the right side. His mechanic gave him the signal to switch his line to the left side, which helped his lap time and allowed him stay in contention for the win.

“I saw that Stewart was going down the left side of the whoops,” said Villopoto. “But once I switched the left I didn’t feel like it was much faster than where I had been going. The whoops themselves were getting pretty chewed up and were slippery so you really had to be precise.”

Hey everyone. Just wanted to send out a little message to let everyone know I am all good now and back on track after a crazy weekend. I woke up sat morning with gnarly stomach pain so bad that I couldn’t even stand up. Was able to push myself into a cab to get to the stadium to see if the docs at asterisk could help me out but one look at me and they sent me in the ambulance to the hospital. After hours of enduring the pain and laying in a hospital bed trying to get some answers, the docs found nothing!!  Crazy to be in that much pain and they tell you you’re fine. At that point I just knew you had to pull it together and try and make the night happen.  Rolled into the stadium  at 6:30 with just enough time to put my gear on and make it to opening ceremonies. Pretty sketchy knowing my first lap on the track was gonna be in a race but it is what it is. We made it work and came away with some decent points on the night so all in all it was a good night. Can’t say thanks enough to all the people who made it happen and the fans for sticking by me. Next week it’s on!  Back to the real RV

 

Photo: Racer X Online

AURORA, Ill. (March 24, 2014) – As the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship heads to St. Louis’ Edward Jones Dome this Saturday night. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, the three-time defending Championship, carries a 25-point advantage over Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey. For the first time in the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship, Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Martin Davalos rides into St. Louis with a four-point lead over his teammate Adam Cianciarulo, who has three wins this season.

**FOX Sports 1 will air the St. Louis  race live at 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT**
**Coverage from St. Louis will also be available on the authenticated FOX Sports GO app**
**FOX Sports 2 will re-air the Toronto race on Sunday, March 29 at 1:00 a.m. ET/ 10:00 a.m. PT**

Media day is Thursday, March 27 from Noon-2:00 p.m. Riders will be available for interviews and will ride the track for the media.

Current 450SX Class points leader Villopoto endured his toughest day of the season en route to a sixth-place finish. Villopoto did not log a single lap of afternoon practice after his team reported he was suffering from food poisoning. A top-10 ranking in the championship guaranteed Villopoto a provisional for the night show and he was able to transfer into the Main Event through the Semi. After starting second in the Main Event, Villopoto dropped to as far back as eighth but made a late charge to move into sixth and lose minimal ground in the championship.

“We made the best of a bad scenario [today],” said Villopoto. “I woke up in a lot of pain this morning and the Asterisk Mobile Medical Crew thought it was best I [go to the hospital] to get checked out. I got out of the hospital and was lucky to make it in time for the night show. We salvaged a lot of points and I’ll go to the doctor back [home] in California to make sure we’re ready for St. Louis next weekend.”

Villopoto lost just five points to Dungey in the 450SX Class standings, currently holding a 25-point lead with five races remaining.

Villopoto has won the St. Louis Main Event during the past two seasons and has his sights set on his third-consecutive win in the premier class. Ricky Carmichael and Chad Reed share the all-time win record in St. Louis in the 450SX Class at four apiece. Current 450SX Class rider Barcia won three consecutive races in the 250SX Class races and holds the record for most wins in St. Louis.

Tickets are available at the Edward Jones Dome Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone (800) 745-3000, or online at www.SupercrossOnline.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Practice and qualifying begin at 12:30 p.m. and the Main Event starts at 7:00 p.m. Club Seats are $55 Adult/Child; Gold Circle $40 Adult/Child; 400 Lower Level Loge $30 Adult/$10 Child; Upper View Sides $20 Adult/$10 Child; Treadhead $10 Adult/Child. Fans can also get in to the Pits for FREE from 12:30-6 p.m. Race Day when they recycle a MONSTER Energy Can at the stadium’s pit entrance (valid only with event ticket).

Villopoto woke up Saturday morning with a minor discomfort in his stomach that progressively turned into unbearable intestinal pain. Unable to keep anything down, the champ was advised by the Asterisk Medical Team to visit the hospital for treatment of food poisoning and rule out anything long term. After spending the day getting tests done, Villopoto returned to the stadium with just enough time to get dressed and ride out for opening ceremonies. Having not even walked the track, he was able to take advantage of a provision that allows a rider in the top-10 in points to line up with the last gate pick for first heat race. RV used the heat race as a practice session and was able to then transfer to the main event via the semi. In the main event he rode conservative and finished a hard-earned sixth place, losing only five points in the championship hunt.

“Lining up for the heat race I wasn’t even sure if I could push it at all,” said Villopoto. “I just tried to get the track down as quick as possible and in the main event I got a decent start and just rode within my means and salvaged a ton of points.”