Villopoto Dominates to Take Second Win of the Season at Unadilla

Posted on by Kyfromca

NEW BERLIN, N.Y. (August 13, 2011) – Following a break from competition over the past two weekends, the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship returned to action on Saturday for its ninth round of the season.

The Rockstar Energy Unadilla National hosted a tremendous crowd at the Unadilla Valley Sports Center, as Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash., grabbed his second win of the season to extend his lead in the 450 Class standings. In the 250 Class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson, of Scotland, helped seal a perfect day for Kawasaki, sweeping both motos for his first victory of the summer.

After taking over the top spot in the championship for the first time this summer at the previous round, Villopoto entered the day with a scant one-point lead over Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn. With the Unadilla round falling on his birthday, Villopoto was looking to make a statement, and began the day by topping the time sheet in practice. In Moto 1, he relied on a strong start to move into second behind American Honda’s Justin Barcia, of Monroe, N.Y. After pacing his rookie counterpart for nearly half the moto, Villopoto made the move for the lead on Lap 7, and never looked back.

The second moto presented a similar situation for Villopoto, slotting into second place after another top-five start, this time behind Red Bull KTM’s Mike Alessi, of Victorville, Calif. Villopoto made short work of Alessi, passing him on Lap 3, and finishing off the day with convincing 1-1 moto scores.

“It was definitely a good day,” said Villopoto. “The team and I made the decision to go to 2012 Kawasaki for this weekend, and it was definitely the right move. Knowing what we had was a lot better, I felt like we were in a great position to win today. I got good starts and was able to work my way through the field. It seemed easy to get by guys. I don’t know if it was the bike, or my confidence, but it’s put us in good position for the championship.”

Dungey battled with Barcia throughout both motos, prevailing each time to garner 2-2 moto scores and finish second overall, minimizing the damage in the point standings.

“I fought it a bit today,” said Dungey. “I didn’t get the start I needed in either moto. I had to battle through guys, and once I got into second, I couldn’t make the time up on Ryan (Villopoto). We’re looking forward to the next three races, and battling for this championship.”

Barcia, making his 450 Class debut in a substitute role for American Honda, finished third (3-3).

Villopoto’s lead in the championship now sits at seven points over Dungey heading into an off week.

Through eight rounds in the 250 Class, Wilson had captured five moto victories to amass the most points in the entire series, as well as the best finishing average of any rider. Despite that, the points leader had yet to claim an overall win. On Saturday, Wilson left little doubt as to who the top rider was at Unadilla. After posting the fastest lap in practice, Wilson took over the lead early in both motos to pull away from the field and go 1-1 on the day, extending his double-digit points lead.

“It was a great day,” said Wilson. “I was just having fun out there. I feel like when I’m out there having fun, I definitely ride my best. I’ve been angry to not get an overall yet this season, but now I feel relieved. I just felt good and refreshed and excited to race again. I couldn’t sleep last night I was so excited.”

Wilson’s Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammate Blake Baggett, of Grand Terrace, Calif., finished in the runner-up spot (2-3), while GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac, of Cortez, Colo., rounded out the overall podium in third (5-2).

Wilson now holds a 25-point advantage over Baggett in the 250 Class standings. The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team remains undefeated in 2011, posting 18 moto wins and nine overall victories.

The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship takes a week off, before returning to action on August 27 from Southwick, Mass. Moto-X 338 will host the 10th round of the championship, beginning at 1 p.m. EST.

Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship
Rockstar Energy Unadilla National
Unadilla Valley Sports Center – New Berlin, N.Y.
August 13, 2011
Round 9 of 12

450 Class (Moto Finish) – To view complete event Box Score, click HERE

  1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki (1-1)
  2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki (2-2)
  3. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda (3-3)
  4. Chad Reed, Kurri Kurri, Australia, Honda (4-5)
  5. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM (7-4)
  6. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki (5-6)
  7. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha (8-7)
  8. Kyle Regal, Howell, Mich., Suzuki (10-9)
  9. Jimmy Albertson, San Diego, Calif., Yamaha (12-11)
  10. Jake Canada, Corona, Calif., Yamaha (11-14)

450 Class Championship Standings

  1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 391
  2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki – 384
  3. Chad Reed, Kurri Kurri, Australia, Honda – 366
  4. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki – 262
  5. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM – 210
  6. Andrew Short, Colorado Springs, Colo., KTM – 196
  7. Kevin Windham, Baton Rouge, La., Honda – 193
  8. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki – 190
  9. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha – 173
  10. Tommy Hahn, Great Bend, Kan., Yamaha – 140

250 Class (Moto Finish) – To view complete event Box Score, click HERE

  1. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Kawasaki (1-1)
  2. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (2-3)
  3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (5-2)
  4. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha (8-4)
  5. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda (6-6)
  6. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (7-8)
  7. Martin Davalos, Quito, Ecudaor, Suzuki (14-5)
  8. Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Yamaha (4-16)
  9. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda (10-10)
  10. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda (9-11)

250 Class Championship Standings

  1. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Kawasaki – 396
  2. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki – 371
  3. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki – 353
  4. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha – 264
  5. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda – 239
  6. Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Yamaha – 200
  7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki – 195
  8. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda – 181
  9. Martin Davalos, Quito, Ecuador, Suzuki – 175
  10. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Honda – 148

Tickets for the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship are on sale at www.allisports.com, Special discounts and incentives are available for advance ticket purchasers.

For more information on the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, please log on to www.allisports.com/motocross.

For media information about the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, please contact Media Manager Brandon Short via email at media@mxsportsproracing.com or by phone at 949-365-5750.

MX Sports Pro Racing
MX Sports Pro Racing manages and produces the world’s most prestigious motocross series – the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. The industry leader in off road powersport event production and management, its mission is to showcase the sport of professional motocross competition at events throughout the United States. Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing organizes events for thousands of action sports athletes each year and attracts millions of motorsports spectators. Visit www.mxsportsproracing.com.

Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports
Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports, is a global business that encompasses national and international action sports tours and events, multimedia production, and a consumer facing lifestyle brand. The Alliance includes: the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, the Dew Tour, Winter Dew Tour, China Invitational, King of Wake series, and the Gatorade Free Flow Tour. Alli TV Productions creates original content, produces and presents content with partners, and distributes Alli content through a variety of channels. Alli is owned by NBC Sports and MTV Networks and represents a network of athletes, fans, brands and properties. Its mission is to facilitate the momentous growth of action sports, through competition and lifestyle, for a new generation of fans and athletes. The Alli properties are home to more than 550,000 spectators each year and broadcasts more than 150 hours of original content in 100 countries and 280 million homes worldwide. Visit www.allisports.com.

Lucas Oil Products
Lucas Oil is a worldwide leader in the production of oils, lubricants and additives. Based in Corona, Calif., Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest-growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry, featuring a premium line of oils, lubricants and problem-solving performance additives. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top-selling additive line in the American truck-stop industry. Lucas Oil is involved in an array of motorsports sponsorships, including the “Official Motor Oil of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship.” Visit www.LucasOil.com.

AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing sanctioning body in the United States, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization sanctions professional motorcycle racing competition, which includes, AMA Pro Motocross, AMA Pro Road Racing, and AMA Pro Flat Track. Visit www.amaproracing.com.