Irvine, Calif. — On the season’s second trip to Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto took his first win of the 2013 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship. After qualifying in first position, Villopoto dominated his heat race and was ready to put his KX™450F on top of the box. He took control of the main event and once in the lead, rode uncontested to his first win of the new year. His teammate Jake Weimer rocketed to the holeshot in the 450SX main event and finished fifth after leading the first lap. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Tyla Rattray started the 250SX main event within the top-10 and made his way to finish in eighth place, while teammate Martin Davalos was involved in a first lap pile-up and recovered to finish 12th.
Following two uncharacteristic rounds, Villopoto captured his first 450SX win of the year. It had been nearly nine months since his last win which was in New Orleans last year after wrapping up the championship. Villopoto dominated all day long posting the fastest qualifying times all afternoon and looking like his old self on his Kawasaki. In the heat race he grabbed the holeshot and led all eight laps, giving him first gate pick for the main event. When the gate dropped for the main, Villopoto rounded the first turn within the top-10, moving up to sixth position. He briefly dropped to seventh place, but then began his charge to the front, over taking the leader on lap five. From there Villopoto laid down smooth, consistent laps and came away with his 25th career 450SX main event win. He now sits fourth in the points standings.
“I’m happy to get this win out of the way,” said Villopoto. “We made progress each weekend and felt really good coming into today. My starts were much better, which made it much easier. I just took my time, was patient, and made clean passes. Every win is good, but this one is nice to get the ball rolling for the rest of the season.”