Ryan Villopoto downs Supercross Indianapolis

Villopoto Indy Report

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto served notice on Saturday night in Indianapolis that he is ready to overcome any adversity to stand on the top step of the podium. The sophomore rider didn’t let a crash in his heat race slow him down as he won the last chance qualifier and the main event putting him in a tie atop the championship points.

When a crash in the first turn of his heat race sent Villopoto back to the truck to repair the water pump and head pipe, the Washington native knew he had a tough task ahead of him to claim his third win in the last four races. After winning the LCQ, Villopoto still had the 19th gate pick and despite the disadvantage, he came out of the first turn in third. After a spirited battle for the lead until the halfway point, Villopoto pulled away to win his fifth career supercross race.

Ryan Villopoto Speaks…

"I won the LCQ and had to take the most outside gate for the main event," said Villopoto. "That wasn’t the gate I wanted since it was a sharp left hand corner for the first turn. I got a really good start from out there and I was third. I got by Davi (Milsaps) and then Kevin (Windham) and I had a really good battle. "

"We were going back and forth for a while. I could hear the crowd when (Ryan) Dungey got Windham, so I knew I had to put in some solid laps. The track was tight and slippery and it was tough to go fast. It was a good race and we showed that our team handles tough situations well."

Villopoto’s LCQ didn’t go exactly as planned as he exited the first turn in 12th place. Over the next five laps he continually made his way up to the front of the pack and put himself into a qualifying position.

"It’s always scary going into the LCQ," said Villopoto. "Only the top two spots advance and if you don’t get one of them you go home. I had a bad start and I had to come from behind. It was tough but I did what I needed to do."

With the win Villopoto now is leading the points standings along with Dungey. Villopoto began his charge to the top of the standings four weeks ago in San Francisco and he is looking to keep the momentum going as the series continues its East Coast swing.

"Before we came to Indy I was in a great position as the series moved to the east," said Villopoto. "I think I’m in a better position now, tied for the points lead and I definitely have the momentum rolling. I just have to keep putting in the hard work."

2010 AMA Supercross Class Results: Indianapolis
1) Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
2) Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
3) Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda
4) Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
5) Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
6) Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Honda
7) Grant Langston, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
8) Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
9) Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha
10) Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha

2010 AMA Supercross Class Season Standings
1) Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 145
2) Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 145
3) Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 135
4) Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 114
5) Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 106
6) Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 105
7) Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 97
8) Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 74
9) Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 69
10) Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Suzuki, 61

The Monster Energy Supercross series heads to Atlanta, Ga. next Saturday, February 27, for its eighth race of the season at the Georgia Dome.


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