Ryan Villopoto Returns at Lommel MXGP – As Support
Three weeks after announcing his retirement from motorcycle racing, four-time AMA Supercross Champion Ryan Villopoto will make a return to the track – but not as a racer, of course.
Instead, the former Monster Energy Kawasaki KX450F FMX pilot will attend the FIM Motocross World Championship this weekend in Lommel, Belgium, where he will meet and greet with fans, and support the team.
The appearance at Monster Energy Kawasaki’s home will be Ryan Villopoto’s first in public since announcing his retirement. The 10-time US Champion was forced to retire after sustaining serious back injury during a crash at the MXGP of Trentino in Italy back in April.
Ryan Villopoto will be available to sign autographs for the fans (the timing of the sessions will be posted at the KRT awning in the paddock) during the weekend; he will be one of the guests of TV commentator Paul Malin in the Studio Show, hold a press conference on Saturday afternoon and will also join the Monster athletes at the Monster rig on Sunday at 10.15 a.m.
Ryan Villopoto Returns to Lommel MXGP as Supporter – Quotes
Ryan Villopoto: “Returning to Belgium this week is bitter-sweet. It was our home base for a couple of months earlier in the year, so it will be nice to return and say goodbye to the folks that helped us out. Unfortunately, the year didn’t go as planned but I was looking forward to racing Lommel; it’s a tough track… kind of like Southwick in the US but with even deeper sand. But I’ve always liked riding in that stuff so it would have been fun. I’m excited to see my team and the fans and look forward to seeing everyone this weekend.”
Steve Guttridge (Kawasaki Europe Racing Manager): “It’s an exciting concept to welcome RV back over to Europe. In his new role he’s naturally going to be more relaxed and give a lot of good feedback to the team, our riders, the press and ultimately his fans.”
François Lemariey (KRT team manager): “It will be great for the Monster Energy KRT team members to meet up with Ryan again, as we all enjoyed working with him earlier this season. Unfortunately our racing story ended too early, but that’s also part of racing.”
