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Supercross & Motocross
SX: Burning Q - Tainted Title Defense?
Ryan Villopoto is rolling toward a second-straight Supercross crown, but should a '12 triumph be branded with an asterisk in light of the fate of his rivals?
Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto (Photo: Hoppenworld.com)
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Round 12 of the Monster Energy Supercross Championship from Toronto, Canada will air LIVE on SPEED Saturday, March 24 at 7:30pm ET. #SXonSPEED
With James Stewart added to the long list of Monster Energy Supercross superstars sidelined at some point this season, Ryan Villopoto’s sixth victory of the year taken last weekend in Indianapolis basically cemented his title defense… barring any incredibly unforeseen circumstances.
It’s been discouraging to see so many of the sport’s biggest names struck down by injury, as each rider had helped push Supercross to a new level of competitiveness. Had everyone stayed healthy, we’d likely be talking about a remarkable title fight nearing the home stretch right now. But we're not, and for better or worse, that’s the nature of the sport.
Villopoto has done all that could be asked of a defending champion, but with Stewart’s status still uncertain in addition to the injuries suffered by Chad Reed, Ryan Dungey, and Trey Canard, its inevitable that someone will ask whether or not Villopoto’s title defense has been diminished in any way.
The answer is simple: No.
Going into Dallas, where Reed suffered his frightening crash, Villopoto had already captured three victories and was in possession of the red number plate signifying the championship leader. Moreover, he was successfully fending off Reed’s pre-crash pressure in the main event, en route to his fourth win of the year.
Whenever Villopoto’s back was against the wall, so to speak, he responded with incredible rides. In Phoenix, he was forced to claw his way up from the back of the pack, and did so, through arguably the toughest field of riders in many years to finish on the podium. In Los Angeles, he had more bad luck in the main event, but once again fought back valiantly, just missing out on the podium in fourth.
With James Stewart added to the long list of Monster Energy Supercross superstars sidelined at some point this season, Ryan Villopoto’s sixth victory of the year taken last weekend in Indianapolis basically cemented his title defense… barring any incredibly unforeseen circumstances.
It’s been discouraging to see so many of the sport’s biggest names struck down by injury, as each rider had helped push Supercross to a new level of competitiveness. Had everyone stayed healthy, we’d likely be talking about a remarkable title fight nearing the home stretch right now. But we're not, and for better or worse, that’s the nature of the sport.
Villopoto has done all that could be asked of a defending champion, but with Stewart’s status still uncertain in addition to the injuries suffered by Chad Reed, Ryan Dungey, and Trey Canard, its inevitable that someone will ask whether or not Villopoto’s title defense has been diminished in any way.
The answer is simple: No.
Going into Dallas, where Reed suffered his frightening crash, Villopoto had already captured three victories and was in possession of the red number plate signifying the championship leader. Moreover, he was successfully fending off Reed’s pre-crash pressure in the main event, en route to his fourth win of the year.
Whenever Villopoto’s back was against the wall, so to speak, he responded with incredible rides. In Phoenix, he was forced to claw his way up from the back of the pack, and did so, through arguably the toughest field of riders in many years to finish on the podium. In Los Angeles, he had more bad luck in the main event, but once again fought back valiantly, just missing out on the podium in fourth.
SX Seattle
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