-
Home
- TV Shows
- TV Schedule
- NASCAR
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
Supercross & Motocross
SX: Villopoto Rebounds With Runner-Up Result
Ryan Villopoto wasn't flawless on Saturday night but his second-place result was a big step in the right direction.
Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto (Photo: Kawasaki Racing)
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Round 3 of the 2013 Monster Energy Western Regional 250SX Class Championship from Anaheim will air on SPEED on Sunday, January 20th at 1:00pm ET.
In the frigid air of the desert in Phoenix, Ariz., Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto fought to his first podium of the season at Round 2 of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM Championship at Chase Field on Saturday. Villopoto started the night with a third-place finish in his heat race to transfer to the main event. When the gate dropped for the main, Villopoto was battling his way to the front before sliding out in a corner. Destined for the podium, he quickly remounted his KX™450F and fought to take second place. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer rode consistent to sixth place. In the 250SX class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Martin Davalos recovered from a spectacular crash in his heat race to finish on the podium in third. Teammate Tyla Rattray recovered from a first lap incident to finish 12th. Blake Baggett injured his wrist last week in Anaheim and after trying to ride in practice, decided not to race.
Don’t Call it a Comeback
After a disappointing start to the season in Anaheim, Villopoto began his mission to regain the points lead. He was at the top of the charts all day, qualifying hundredths of a second off of the fastest time. In the heat race Villopoto overcame a mid-pack start and finished third. When the gate dropped for the main event, he quickly made some passes and rounded the first lap in third. Pushing the limits and making time on the leaders, Villopoto made a small mistake and lost the front end on the slick and difficult dirt. Remounting just inside the top-10, he put on a charge to the front. Villopoto methodically made his way through the pack, passing for the second on the last lap. He now sits seventh overall in the points standings.
“Tonight was a lot better than Anaheim,” said Villopoto. “I wasn’t too happy with my heat race, but the main was a step in the right direction. It still wasn’t quite what I wanted, but the potential is there. We’re continuing to work on the bike during the week and working to adapt to the different conditions each week. If we can stay on the box every weekend we should be in good shape.”
Determined and Driven
Davalos showed impressive speed at last week’s season opener, but was unable to get the results he deserved due to a first turn pile-up. In Phoenix, he was ready to get back on top. In his heat race, Davalos got off to a great start on his KX™250F and latched on to the rear wheel of the leader. Searching for a place to pass, he made a move with two laps remaining, but a mistake in the rhythm section sent him flying through the air in spectacular fashion off the track. Although physically beat up from the crash, Davalos went out and won the last chance qualifier and lined up for the main event in the very outside gate. As the gate dropped he rocketed down the start straight and swept around the outside, nearly missing the holeshot but taking the lead shortly after. Davalos led for more than half the 15-lap race before dropping third place and taking his first podium of the season in third.
“My day started really well,” said Davalos. “Everything was going great until I made a mistake and got kicked over the quad. I got a great start in the main and led for a while, but started to tighten up and finished third. Considering my night I’m really happy with third and we’ll rest up this week and be ready next weekend.”
Consistency
Unlike many of the top contenders having one off-weekend so far, Weimer has been very consistent. In Phoenix he hovered around the top-five times in qualifying and in his heat race he raced to third place. In the main event, Weimer got a good start from the inside on his KX450F and rounded the first turn in the top-five. He dropped to sixth and held a steady gap over the rest of the field to finish there. Weimer sits sixth in the points standings and remains itching to make the podium.
“I was in good position off the start of the main,” said Weimer. “The first lap I struggled getting into a flow and was coming up short in spots and over-jumping in others. I couldn’t quite get into my groove and made too many mistakes. I need to step it up and continue to improve during the week so I’m ready to race on Saturday.”
Motivation
Rattray’s day started slow as it took him a few laps to get a good feel for the slick conditions at Chase Field. In his heat race he quietly raced to a solid fifth place finish and was ready for the main event. Rattray hugged the inside around the first turn and came out inside the top-10, but moments later he tangled with another rider before the whoops, which ruined his momentum and shuffled him to the back of the field. Rattray was able to climb back to 12th place and sits seventh overall in the points standings.
“I struggled with the track tonight,” said Rattray. “After tangling with a guy before the whoops, my hand came off the bars and set me way back. It was really tough to pass and the only time you could make a clean pass was if someone made a mistake. The track was really slick, but I’m going to keep my head up and try to do better at Anaheim 2.”
In the frigid air of the desert in Phoenix, Ariz., Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto fought to his first podium of the season at Round 2 of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM Championship at Chase Field on Saturday. Villopoto started the night with a third-place finish in his heat race to transfer to the main event. When the gate dropped for the main, Villopoto was battling his way to the front before sliding out in a corner. Destined for the podium, he quickly remounted his KX™450F and fought to take second place. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer rode consistent to sixth place. In the 250SX class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Martin Davalos recovered from a spectacular crash in his heat race to finish on the podium in third. Teammate Tyla Rattray recovered from a first lap incident to finish 12th. Blake Baggett injured his wrist last week in Anaheim and after trying to ride in practice, decided not to race.
Don’t Call it a Comeback
After a disappointing start to the season in Anaheim, Villopoto began his mission to regain the points lead. He was at the top of the charts all day, qualifying hundredths of a second off of the fastest time. In the heat race Villopoto overcame a mid-pack start and finished third. When the gate dropped for the main event, he quickly made some passes and rounded the first lap in third. Pushing the limits and making time on the leaders, Villopoto made a small mistake and lost the front end on the slick and difficult dirt. Remounting just inside the top-10, he put on a charge to the front. Villopoto methodically made his way through the pack, passing for the second on the last lap. He now sits seventh overall in the points standings.
“Tonight was a lot better than Anaheim,” said Villopoto. “I wasn’t too happy with my heat race, but the main was a step in the right direction. It still wasn’t quite what I wanted, but the potential is there. We’re continuing to work on the bike during the week and working to adapt to the different conditions each week. If we can stay on the box every weekend we should be in good shape.”
Determined and Driven
Davalos showed impressive speed at last week’s season opener, but was unable to get the results he deserved due to a first turn pile-up. In Phoenix, he was ready to get back on top. In his heat race, Davalos got off to a great start on his KX™250F and latched on to the rear wheel of the leader. Searching for a place to pass, he made a move with two laps remaining, but a mistake in the rhythm section sent him flying through the air in spectacular fashion off the track. Although physically beat up from the crash, Davalos went out and won the last chance qualifier and lined up for the main event in the very outside gate. As the gate dropped he rocketed down the start straight and swept around the outside, nearly missing the holeshot but taking the lead shortly after. Davalos led for more than half the 15-lap race before dropping third place and taking his first podium of the season in third.
“My day started really well,” said Davalos. “Everything was going great until I made a mistake and got kicked over the quad. I got a great start in the main and led for a while, but started to tighten up and finished third. Considering my night I’m really happy with third and we’ll rest up this week and be ready next weekend.”
Consistency
Unlike many of the top contenders having one off-weekend so far, Weimer has been very consistent. In Phoenix he hovered around the top-five times in qualifying and in his heat race he raced to third place. In the main event, Weimer got a good start from the inside on his KX450F and rounded the first turn in the top-five. He dropped to sixth and held a steady gap over the rest of the field to finish there. Weimer sits sixth in the points standings and remains itching to make the podium.
“I was in good position off the start of the main,” said Weimer. “The first lap I struggled getting into a flow and was coming up short in spots and over-jumping in others. I couldn’t quite get into my groove and made too many mistakes. I need to step it up and continue to improve during the week so I’m ready to race on Saturday.”
Motivation
Rattray’s day started slow as it took him a few laps to get a good feel for the slick conditions at Chase Field. In his heat race he quietly raced to a solid fifth place finish and was ready for the main event. Rattray hugged the inside around the first turn and came out inside the top-10, but moments later he tangled with another rider before the whoops, which ruined his momentum and shuffled him to the back of the field. Rattray was able to climb back to 12th place and sits seventh overall in the points standings.
“I struggled with the track tonight,” said Rattray. “After tangling with a guy before the whoops, my hand came off the bars and set me way back. It was really tough to pass and the only time you could make a clean pass was if someone made a mistake. The track was really slick, but I’m going to keep my head up and try to do better at Anaheim 2.”
SX Seattle
LATEST HEADLINES: MOTO-RACING
-
VIDEO: MotoGP - Randy de Puniet Feature
Home track favorite Randy de Puniet talks about life as both a CRT… -
PHOTOS: MotoGP - Le Mans QP Gallery
Marc Marquez will start from pole for the second time in his short… -
VIDEO: MotoGP - QP Highlights & Lap Of Le Mans
SPEED takes you on a lap around the Bugatti Circuit and brings you… -
MOTOGP: Rossi Yet To Rediscover Former Magic
The legendary Valentino Rossi will start from the third row of the… -
MOTOGP: Dovi Puts Ducati On Front Row
Andrea Dovizioso qualified a heroic third best on the Ducati Desmosedici… -
MOTOGP: Le Mans QP Ticker (UPDATE 2)
Notes and quotes following Saturday's qualifying session for this… -
MOTOGP: Marquez Hoping For Dry Race
Can Marc Marquez follow up his second career MotoGP pole with a second… - More News
