2013 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Champion Report/Photo Gallery
Heading into the penultimate round of the 2013 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Ryan Villopoto held a 25-point lead over the only other rider to lead the championship this season – Rockstar Energy Suzuki’s Davi Millsaps.
Due to his lead, Villopoto only needed to finish ahead of Millsaps or the third-placed rider, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, to clinch the 2013 SX title.
With the pressure on, the Monster Energy Kawasaki KX450F rider took no chances, and got off the line quick in Salt Lake City. By the third corner, Villopoto was in the lead, though Millsaps and Dungey followed closely behind.
For half of the 20-lap main event, Villopoto battled with Millsaps and Dungey, but than found that little extra that give him a bit of a gap over the field.
Villopoto would take the win, the 33rd of his career, finishing ahead of Millsaps and Dungey. With the Salt Lake City SX victory, Villopoto matched his 2012 career best of nine victories in a season, and was able to clinch his third straight Supercross title.
Ryan Villopoto (Monster Energy Kawasaki KX450F Supercross) says: “It feels amazing. The track was tough and any little mistake could have easily changed the result. We are all pushing so hard it was anyone’s race. It took a lot of hard work to get to this point and it takes a tight knit group to succeed at this level.”
The only other riders clinch a third-straight title were Ricky Carmichael, Jeremy McGrath and Bob Hannah. Villopoto also became the fifth rider in Monster Energy Supercross history to win three Supercross titles, joining Carmichael, McGrath, Hannah and Jeff Stanton.
If Villopoto continues this momentum into the Supercross season finale this weekend in Las Vegas, he has a shot at winning a career best of 10 races.
