5 Minutes With… Ryan Villopoto
Friday, February 18, 2011 | 7:30 PM
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Courtesy Monster Energy
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto has been a consistent front-runner in the past two years’ Monster Energy/AMA Supercross Championship. This year, he has gone back and forth atop the points leaderboard with former champ James Stewart, and after the Houston round – where he came from outside the top fifteen to finish third – Villopoto holds a nine-point lead in the championship with eleven rounds left to run.
First off, talk us through that first turn.
Ryan Villopoto: Umm... The first turn was definitely not a great design, but I guess it worked in my favor tonight. It was just super-tight and you couldn’t go anywhere.
Well, you didn’t come out of there very well, though...
No, I was like fifteenth or so; I don’t even know. But yeah, I actually had a pretty bad start right out of the gate, which actually helped me because I was able to see what was going to happen. That’s what happened; I just followed them in there. James [Stewart] went down, and Chad [Reed] and everybody, and I kind of went around them.
Until you lapped James, did you have any idea what was going on with him?
Well, I knew he was going to be close behind me, and he was. Then he went down again...
Villopoto overcame a rough start in Houston to grab a third place finish.
Photo: Simon Cudby
What about the dirt, though?
Yeah, it was rough and slippery and not very good. I mean, it started out good, but the Monster trucks were here already. If they wouldn’t have been here, the dirt would have been really good, but it was hard out there.
I know you tend to do better in softer dirt, and we haven’t had any of those soft-dirt races yet, so is this somewhat encouraging to know that you’re still up on top of the points standings?
What do you mean? I won at Dodger Stadium, and that’s pretty hard...
I know. You’re doing well, but my point is that you’re winning even though that maybe isn’t your best dirt...
It’s great. Definitely, I like the softer dirt better. I mean, it’s a little easier to ride, I guess.
You’re the points leader, obviously, so does that even matter to you at this point? Do you pay attention to that?
I mean, I definitely would have liked to win and get the extra five points that went with that, and that would put me at fourteen, but if you actually look at it, it’s pretty good because I was five down coming in, and now I’m out front. I mean, for what happened at Houston and that whole thing, it’s definitely good.
You’ve been through this already. I mean, last year getting close and then crashing and then having dirt in your tailpipe...
Yeah, but it’s different now because everybody’s out there.
Villopoto is the current point's leader.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Yeah, but it’s the same, sort of, because Dungey lost a whole bunch of points last week. This week, Stewart did. It’s just the nature of the sport, you know?
It’s racing, for sure; I mean, anything can happen. Especially when the first turns are like that, it doesn’t make it very easy to get through there with, what, twenty of us?
Yeah, and you had a whole seventy feet before you have to turn...
I don’t even know, but yeah it was one of the shortest starts all year and on top of that the dirt behind the gate was like wet concrete; blue groove.
I was talking earlier to Mike Fisher and he was talking about how you guys are basically on the weight limit on your bike, which is cool. But I asked, “Last year, when Ryan was kind of chubby, did you bother taking a bunch of weight off the bike?”
Oh yeah? What did he say?
Yeah, that’s what I said...
Dude, I was in fighting shape...
Fighting shape? In the heavyweight class, yeah...
[Laughs] No, I was in fighting shape! The 450 IS the heavyweight class! It’s not the Lites...
All right, fair enough. But Fisher did say that they told you they would start making the bike lighter when you started making yourself lighter...
I don’t think I remember hearing that, but that’s all right. He deserved to say that, I guess...
But it’s an amazing transformation for this year. I mean, how much of a difference does that actually make on the bike to be that much thinner?
Man, I felt good back then. You know, I was digging it... The Cheetos.
Villopoto has slimed down in 2011 with the help of Aldon Baker.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Are you jonesing at all? Because you have to stay away from all that stuff now...
Yeah, I get the occasional M&Ms that I can sneak from Aldon [Baker, his trainer].
Do you want me to publish that? He might read it...
Oh, I’ll show him. I’ll eat them right in front of him.
Do you even get a reward? Like, if you win a race, do you get an In-N-Out Burger or anything?
Oh, no... [Tyla] Rattray went there after Anaheim 1...
Did he get in trouble?
Yeah! I mean, he definitely heard it...
Well, from here on out, San Diego looks like it may be a mudder and then we head back east...
Let me confirm that. Yup, it says 30 percent chance, but this is in Menifee.
True. South of there it could be 60 to 70 percent.
For sure. I don’t know, maybe I can get some more points...
Yeah, you’re a northern boy. You can ride mud.
That’s what they say.
One other thing I want to talk to you about is that I heard you tried that quad in the rhythm section at the race last week in Anaheim.
Yeah, nobody decided to write about it. Everybody said just Stewie did it. Nobody decided to write or say anything about me. Nobody decided to write about it or talk about it on TV that I jumped it the second lap. Why is that?
I don’t know. I didn’t see it so that’s why I didn’t.
You could have come and asked me about the quad.
Villopoto looks to increase his points lead in San Diego.
Photo: Simon Cudby
That’s true...
I did it in practice. You saw that, didn’t you? Or heard about it?
I heard about it.
You didn’t write about it.
No, I didn’t write about it.
All right, thank you...
But you cased the shit out of it!
I cased it, yeah. But I think actually Racer X or someone posted that that segment was quicker for me...
You were gaining a ton of time with corner speed at Anaheim 2. Do you feel like that is a place where you can shine if the track is designed in a fashion that allows you to?
I mean, every track is different but you need to be able to jump everything that he’s jumping. No matter what, really. In that situation, I think that the triple/triple was just as good.
And more consistent and maybe less risky?
Yeah, definitely less risky.
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Why are they saying that nobody mentioned RV trying that quad??? It was mentioned in a couple of different write-ups on this website.!!
Which one of you clowns interviewed Ryan in this awkward article?
haaaa! agreed.
If you know Ryan at all you can pick up that he is having some fun with this. Actually think it is pretty funny how he gives the interviewers some crap.
Cheetos...love cheetos!
RV2 and Trey both have a sense of humor that some people are not used too....reading it sounds awkward, but I am sure Villomoto is laughing the whole time ....they are just being themselves.....Stewart tries too hard sometimes to be funny and Dungey only seems to say what he is told to say.....GO RV2 and Go CHEETOS
I thought this was a good write up. Obviously laid back and off the cuff. I have a lot of respect for Dungy, but it would be awesome to see him break that mold and do an interview like this. Villopoto seems like a cool cat.
Which of you 2 clowns above me (soooo & @soooo) didn't check the author? It's courtesy of Monster Energy, not a Racer X author.
WOW! It's obvious a BA in Journalism is not a requirement. Monster Energy should inquire with HR on this one.
akward? I laughed while reading! Who ever said that is akward! what sucks is the Stewart, Dungey cookie cutter interviews. lt reminds me of the "speed channel is sorry for talking about the rear tire sensor crap that whats his face read on speed, did any one see his eyes fallow the tela-promter? Sorry, forgot his name I only listen to Emig. RV acts more human than most at that level, hope he get the W this weekend ifnot one of the Honda boys.
I'm liking the sound of Villopoto being the 2011 SX champ. His abilities are insane, He's obviously in shape. He's a cool cat. A good representative of our sport. I wouldn't mind if windham or Tommy hahn snuck a win in but I want Poto to win this series.
One more thing, Mr akward. have you ever listened to Mathes interview RV? They are even more "akward" as you say. I love when a racer calls out the media, but you can tell both parties are laughing there ass off while doing it!
#2 can def make it happen he s low key smooth dude great rider.awesome season for sure................braaaaaap
Ryan Villopoto has the ability to clearly run up with James and beat him head to head thats my take but, just as Carmichael did Villopoto needs to ride BALLS OUT! And yea be carefull but not to much cause you know james stewart rides balls out all the time when he's on the line. The guys who watched all of james and carmichael's races knows what i'm talking about.The two ryan's and james are all in the same skill set but at the end of the night who is riding harder?
Fighting shape? In the heavyweight class, yeah...
[Laughs] No, I was in fighting shape!
Villo was out of shape and always beats around it. funny shit.
It's true that everyone says he's good in the mud but he's never said or proven that he is.
Also funny how he couldn't jump the quad consistently and is touchy about it.
A good case to go back to Jason's 3 1/2 Minutes With.... format.
BS - Not sure how I missed that, thanks for pointing it out. I can see how you guys think it's funny, but it reads like a bad date to me, no chemistry. I suppose that's the bad thing about text on an lcd, you don't catch any of the subtleties, or see/hear the chuckles that go with it.
Here's hoping for some sick racing live on Speed tomorrow night!!!
Sounded like an actual dialog to me. Do you need a BS in journalism for that? If you want a question/answer template, MXA is right up your alley. 'Question 8: What do we really think?'
I dont think it was awkward, it was funny. and the section were RV didnt do the quad, he was faster throught that section. But it was a funny interview. Lets see some close racing this weekend.
Sounds like an interview done with a peer. Nick Wey perhaps. Maybe ricky via phone from daytoner. Stewart wins if he keeps it on two wheels.. Dungey def sounds like a robot. good to see the duck get a win. bad news for k dub, wanted a win out of the old man. Worse news for Chisholm, get well soon Chizz! Jt money see you at sunshine or area 51 hahah mucho props! represent.
Funny didn't chubby RV win a bunch of races before the injury. This dude can flat ass haul and on the soft dirt he lights it up earlier and harder than anyone. I hope he wins it he deserves it.
Davey doesn't like Ryan. Anyone close to him knows that.
"jairtime".....you are an imbecile!!! Hopefully your adolescent post will be removed from the page!!
Second that on "Jairtime". Crawl back under your rock man. Or better yet rise up to being a decent human being.
Always liked RV, Remided me of RC the first time I saw him. Push hard to the finish all the time, Cuts thru the pack like a hot knife thru butter and and can handle pressure maybe better than anyone out there, Others don't get in his head.
"Jairtime".. You are obviously a RV fan and a first degree idiot.. who must have been raised incorrectly by your parents.. Maybe u shud spend some time in Africa and hopefully some africans will know what to do with your sorry little a**&...
On a more serious note... RV is definetly a changed person.. He seems way more confident and mature coming into 2011...
He is a definite title favorite.. He's aggresive and most of all he learns from his mistakes...
Would not be surprised if he won the sx title.. He shud have gotten it last year anyway.. It is what it is.
Don't give jairtime any acknowledgement, he is not worth the time and it will only encourage him.
Hey howardhepone, it's "...you're going to get your ass beaten," not "...you're going to get your ass beat."
You should have taken advantage of the free education you were provided with in your hood.
Some of you assume you know who I'm talking about. Maybe I was raised by Africans. Don't be haters.
Ryan doesn't need folks like you in his fan base jairtime....Please do not inlude his name in your posts.
(include) I think you know what I meant...
Villomoto is the real deal. He is more confident, realxed and smoother this year than last year, not to mention he is in better shape physically and he is my pick to win it all..... One thing to note is, like RC RV2 isnt the tallest dude out there and it "looks" like he is on the ragged edge at times only he has to fight the bike a little more since he is a smaller guy.....GO RV2.....looks like a lot of rain falling in SD right now.....
Well, some of these comments have made me feel like PUKING! I won't mention any names jairtime!
RV sounds a little miffed that Ralphy boy wants to make a baby with JS7 instead of him.
"I mean..." is said nine times in this interview, five of them are in the first five questions. I am now sick of those words.
I somehow missed "jairtimes" post. But when someone writes something ignorant, just ignore it and dont reply. Whatever, dont play into his game, let it go dude..
Looking forward to live coverage tonight. Have they ever considered starting the races on the west coast a little earlier so us east coasters{and the rest of the country} don't have to stay up to the asscrack of dawn to see the main?
RV2 fastest man in the solar system!!!!!!
JS7 is used to coming from behind so the 9 points really arent that much. Dungey is still very much in contention and I wouldnt count him out. Hec Canrd and reed are still in it. Any one of these guys can win. All it takes is for someone to have a bad night. SO far Dungey and JS have bad ones so we will see. I say Js7 comes out swinging . The guy wins when he has too and right now 9 points down he has to win. Its game time BRO SHOW!!!