2013 Las Vegas Supercross Season Finale Pre-Race Press Conference
The 2013 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series’ top riders spoke Friday at the traditional pre-race conference ahead of the season finale at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.
Giving some thoughts before the press were this year’s Supercross Champ, the man who clinched his third consecutive SX title last week in Salt Lake City, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto.
The Washington native was joined by Rockstar Energy Suzuki’s Davi Millsaps, the only other rider to lead this year’s points race in the 17-race series, and Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey. Also in attendance were this year’s top riders in the 250cc class – GEICO Honda’s Wil Hahn and Eli Tomac, and Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin and Ken Roczen.
Heading into Vegas, Villopoto will be chasing his 34th career win at Sam Boyd Stadium. He began the season rough, finishing 16th at the season opener in Anaheim. But he quickly redeemed himself, matching his career best at Salt Lake City with nine-season wins.
Ryan Villopoto (Monster Energy Kawasaki KX-F 450 Supercross) says: “This season started off on a bad note, but I rebounded and put in some great results. Out of the three titles, this by far was the toughest championship to clinch.
“This sport is one of the hardest sports to be in. We’re constantly racing, so it gets tough to show up each weekend when everyone is counting on you. When it doesn’t go your way, it gets tough, but when it does, it’s the greatest feeling. I’m looking forward to going out on a high note this Saturday.”
The biggest battle will be for second in points. As the series heads to the concluding round, Millsaps has a three-point advantage over Dungey. At last week’s round in Salt Lake City, Millsaps finished second ahead of Dungey.
Davi Millsaps (Rockstar Energy Suzuki RM-Z450 Supercross) says: “This year was about proving to myself that I still have a fight left in me. It’s nice to be in the same position I was in last year. I know I’m the underdog, but I’m going to give it all I got and hopefully be in front.”
Ryan Dungey (Red Bull KTM SX-F 450 Supercross) says: “We put in a lot of hard work this year. The weeks get hard when you don’t win, but its all part of racing. It’s great to be back up top fighting for a spot in the top-3. The fans are in for some great racing on Saturday.”
In the Eastern Regional 250SX Class, Hahn, who has led the championship since the season opener, holds down a five-point lead over Musquin.
Wil Hahn (GEICO Honda CRF250R Supercross) says: “Coming into this weekend, the only pressure I feel is from myself. I have a team that’s been through this, with multiple titles, so their helping me get through it. I have never been in the hunt for a title, so I’m just trying to enjoy every moment, and at the end of the day, I need to remember that we are out here to have fun.”
Marvin Musquin (Red Bull KTM SX-F 250 Supercross) says: “I moved here from France with the goal to win races and championships, so here we are, very close to winning the title. I’m going out there tomorrow hoping to finish in the top spot and win my first championship in the United States.”
Last weekend in Salt Lake City, Tomac cut down Roczen’s 20-point advantage to just five points heading into Vegas.
Ken Roczen (Red Bull KTM SX-F 250 Supercross) says: “Last weekend I didn’t finish where I wanted to. I’ve put in some solid results this season and we are all still healthy, so I’m hoping to build off of my finishes this season and go for the win on Saturday.”
Eli Tomac (GEICO Honda CRF250R Supercross) says: “Every race counts. I started off with a bunch of wins, then [it] all went downhill from there. It’s been up and down. I’m lucky enough to be in this position where I can go out and capitalize on great finishes and win a championship.”
SPEED TV will broadcast Vegas Supercross live beginning at 9:30 p.m. EDT. For a recap of Salt Lake City Supercross, click here.
