Here is a sequence of ten photographs of Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto (#1) making a last ditch attempt to pass MotoConcepts’ Mike Alessi (#800) in the final 180-degree turn before the finish of Heat 1 at the opening round of the 2014 Monster Energy Supercross series.
As you can see, Alessi left the door open a sliver on his Suzuki RM-Z450. Villopoto had passed Alessi in the previous 180-degree turn, only to have Alessi turn the tables and take back the lead entering into the straight.
In the second photo, you can see Villopoto starting to head for the Parts Unlimited Tuff Block. In the third shot, Villopoto attempts to ride over the Tuff Block while Alessi is mid-corner on on the gas. Photo four shows Villopoto in trouble, as the glide plate is hitting the block. It’s truly all over by the fifth photo for Villopoto, as his body is fully on the Tuff Block. Alessi is hanging it out, with his eyes on the prize—the checkered flag.
In photo six, Alessi is straightening it out, while Villopoto is struggling with his KX450F on the Tuff Block. Photo seven shows the KX on the ground, with Villopoto’s hands still on the controls—his head facing the dirt. In photo eight, things have not improved, but the rear wheel is still turning. Picking up the bike while holding the clutch in, photo nine shows Villopoto recovering. In the last photo, Villopoto is picking the bike up, and he’s able to remount and finish second in the Heat.
In the Main, Villopoto went down, finishing in fourth place, behind winner Ken Roczen, runner up Ryan Dungey, and Chad Reed. Alessi finished out of the Top 10 after getting snagged in the starting gate.
Photography by Don Williams
