San Francisco will now always have significance for Ryan Villopoto. Because last night the Washington native took his first premiere class main event win of the 2010 Supercross season. Ryan Dungey, the Cinderella rookie and current points leader, had a fall and ruined his chance for another fairytale moment (following wins at Anaheim and Phoenix) ultimately finishing fourth.
Last night confirmed that the 2010 AMA / FIM Supercross series has been blown wide open and that a perfect storm is brewing with a horde of talented, hungry, aggressive riders all intent on making the most of series’ favorites James Stewart and Chad Reed being sidelined with injuries.
Dungey maintains the points lead, but the cushion has been removed. The 20-year old is lucky to not have been hurt when he got separated from his Rockstar Makita Suzuki over a triple resulting in a nasty crash landing. That opened the door for Ryan Villopoto and Josh Hill to dice it out with Kawasaki-mounted Villopoto getting the win.
San Francisco was certainly another preview of what the rest of the series holds. Coming into this season most riders seemed to be preparing to race for the third spot on the podium with assumptions that the title chase would come down to a showdown between Stewart and Reed. All that has changed.
With the two champions sidelined it has sparked a very visible new desire and determination from riders Villopoto (3rd in the points standings), Josh Hill (a quite 2nd in the point standings) , Andrew Short, Davi Millsaps, Tommy Haun and veteran Kevin Windham. Circumstance has opened the door to the all-important confidence these riders needed to run at this pace. There’s a very long way to go yet for the 2010 Supercross series. Look for the drama and unpredictability to continue.
2010 Supercross Standings (after San Fran Round 4)
1) Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 90
2) Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 79
3) Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 77
4) Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 68
5) Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 61
6) Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 57
7) Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 57
8) Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 56
9) James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha, 51
10) Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Suzuki, 42
The action packed 2010 season leaves no time to rest as Supercross now heads to round 5 in San Diego next Saturday.
