Monday Conversation: Ryan Villopoto
Monday, June 13, 2011 | 12:10 PM
Alpinestars has been delivering performance of the highest level on the motocross tracks of the world for almost 50 years. Racing on Sunday and developing on Monday is a way of life at Alpinestars. Welcome to the Racer X Monday Conversation.
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PrintTurns out there wasn’t much wrong with Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto that a week off couldn’t cure. After a couple of so-so rides for the supercross champion outdoors, RV came out at Mt Morris and dominated the first moto like so many expected him to do from the start of the series. Second moto out he ended up second in the slop, but it was enough to give him the overall. After the press conference I caught up to RV as he was waiting for Tyla Rattray to get the car.
Racer X: Well Ryan, it appears that you’re feeling better.
Ryan Villopoto: I felt good at Texas, body-wise. Coming from supecross, there’s not a lot of time to do testing for the motocross series and really, there was only one race for me on a 450, which was Glen Helen two years ago, and I didn’t do much this year. I couldn’t ride the bike very well this year and that’s all I have to say. During the weekend off, Kaipo (Chung- Kawasaki suspension guy) came to Florida and we tested and rode every day. The bike is completely different now. It was mostly my fault and a little bit of theirs that we just didn’t get it right. But it’s all good now, we’re on it and there’s a lot of racing to go right now and the bike is working great.
Villopoto went 1-2 at High Point for his first overall in two years.
Photo: Simon Cudby
It must’ve been nice to be out front there in the first moto and sprinting away like you’ve done so many times before.
Yeah, it’s always good. I rode good that first moto and felt in control and bike was awesome. The rain came in the second moto and obviously it was a totally different ballgame from there. But yeah, in the first moto I was feeling good and if I lost a second or two in one lap I felt like, and I did, go a little harder and pull it back out. I felt like everything was there in the first moto and like I said, the bike is completely different than in the first two races.
In the second moto, it was pretty bad there the first few laps- did you have any close calls or was it a matter of the track coming back that allowed you to catch Reed at the end?
I think I stayed really steady the first few laps. I didn’t want to crash and get my gloves dirty because that just causes problems. I took it real easy the first few laps. (Ryan) Dungey fell twice and I was able to get by him. Then I got around Mike (Alessi) and Chad was a little ways ahead. Then with like two, three laps Dungey started closing and I put in a push and pulled out a decent amount.
Well, you’re 13 points down and you were a lot further back than that so this has to feel pretty good today.
I was down 21 or something like that so it does feel good, but there’s a lot of racing left. I’m just glad that we put in the time this past week and got the bike done right. It’s tough to come into the season with just one outdoor race in the 450 class under my belt. I’m glad we could get on top of the ball early with the bike and not get too far behind.
Villopoto gained valuable points on Chad Reed with his win at High Point.
Photo: Simon Cudby
This next week is Budds Creek, and someone told me today that you’ve never lost a moto there in your career so you have to be feeling good about the race this weekend.
Yeah, that’s true. We’ll see if I can defend that title. I raced there three years on 250 class and then once at the Motocross des Nations. I like the track and we’ll see how it goes but yeah, I think it will be good.
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The roll has begun. Good luck stopping him now. Go Villo!!
RV is a stud, A no BS guy
Yep, the roll has begun. And I think for Alessi, too.
Should they take Pourcel's name off that obnoxious flashing Astar banner ad?
Nice one yamalink - get CPs name off the banner! Not too many boot sales are coming from him at this point...
I give it two races before Reed gives up the red #plate. I bet Dungey gets into the mix and wins a few motos too.
It's on now...............
RV is dialed and the bike is dialed, so here we go!
I was a little surprised to see RV pull from Dungey so quickley considering the last 2 rounds Dungey was the quickest during the races....but I guess RV is just doing his thing and all the RV naysayers got a sample of what many said was going to happen.....RV gets a top 3 start, he will attack and pull away...Hard to tell he was closing on Reed in all that mud, but even more impressive......GO RV
RV getting things dialed in is not good for Red22.....go poto put the boats to'em
Get ready to take one of them #2's off the red plate!! RV is comin Reed and there is nothing you can do to stop it!! LOL
Well done RV2!
Great weekend of Racing in both classes.
Glad to see Alessi back and healthy after the Hangtown Header he took. MA800 has become a bit of a wild card but a strong performance and a threat again (back) on the 450 KTM. Will be sorry to see K-Dub exit.
Is Grant coming back in two-three weeks?
In the photo at top, it's so cool to see Townley (second from left) showed up to cheer on and support his old teammate. About Alessi, he will never get on a roll for two and 1/2 reasons: 1) he makes bad decisions under pressure, 2a) Is too concerned with what everyone else in the paddock thinks about him, 2b) Is constantly engaged in imagined psychological warfare against the "comp" who are either oblivious or amused and he only succeeds in mind-*ucking himself over and over. He tried to "win practice" at event1 to "show 'em I'm back" and beaned himself. This week, on a muddy & slick track, he traded a nice start and modest lead for a chance to dominate/intimidate/get in their heads/be a SEAL/who knows what, over-rode and crashed. Was anyone honestly surprised? If you are RV, RD, 22, etc, you don't worry about Alessi and haven't for a long time. Hey, he might win a moto or even a race. But string something together? No. Any taste of success and he hyperventilates (figuratively) and blows it. It's what he does.
I agree that RV looked pretty unstopable last weekend. I would like to see Dungey get on a roll though. He should already have one win.
@ElsinoreRacer... I am not a big 800 fan but think you off a little there. Yes he crashed in moto 2..... BUT so did RD..TWICE... So did Milsaps... and many others. Also he did "win practice" at round 1, The crash was on the first lap of the 2nd practice after he already set the best time. Also he strung together a LOT of good motos a few years back. Only problem that year was JS going 24-0. so he can do it.
If you have not been to a race and see RV at race pace, you need too!! It is worth the price of admission. He just attacks a track.
Go RV!
Glad to see RV back doing what we expected .I hope everyone stays health &outdoors; ends up as good as SX season did!
Good to see all the RV and RD sentiments. All the Reed fans know, If Dungey's gas does not boil in Freestone ,he is your RED plate bearer with a 1 point lead in the series, add 25 to his count and take 3 from Reed. Yeah, Yeah I know Reed fans, but that's racing and it is what it is. I get it. If you watched this week, you know you cannot say " Reed is fast enough and he is going to keep winning every week. I on the other hand feel confident in what I am seeing. Redbud is BIG, it is SCARY and it is FAST and if it is normal weather, RV and RD gain more points on Reed! Print it RACER X!!!
OPENCLASS, I did see Villopotos speed in person at Freestone and was unimpressed. He hung around the top ten most of the 1st moto, and scored a 5th, I believe, and after Dungeys bad luck he did a little better in 2nd moto, but I was like eh, ok!
Glad to see he's got it together.
Canard will probably be a factor in this season as it plays out.
If Stewie and Regal ever race and thats a big if, that will also mixd the points some and make things interesting.
Go #12 T. Hahn! and #35 Cunningham
I hope RV2 makes the rest of the series boring going 1-1. I would like to see him win both 'ships this year. More so, I enjoy watching Reed lose. Who ever hit him with the rock in moto one this weekend, I will gladly donate to your race team, just let me know who to write a check to!
Regal is good but not on the level of the others you mentioned, jairtime suks. I love those who are ready to give RV2 the title after one win! Yes, clearly he'll be a factor, but there are three guys ready to duke this one out. Dungey was passed this week because of mistakes, not because anybody blew by him. I had my doubts about Reed after moto one, but he pulled it out in the slop. Also, every track is different and will benefit each rider differently. It's looking like another good series for 2011! ... I'm no Alessi fan, but his first ride back was impressive. And yes, Shorty may have chosen the 350 (we don't know how much of a factor his bosses were in the decision), and it may have "felt" better on the test track, but my doubts about running against 450s with that thing are growing.
I was at the MXoN at Budds Creek and I have never seen anyone ride a 250cc 4-stroke any faster then he did that day.
Hey - Don't forget Trey! He'll be back in the mix pretty quick and running with the Big Dogs too! (and maybe Grant as well??)
RV is still pretty much a rookie in the 450 MX ....With only one race to his credit outdoors on the 450 when he annihilated everyone at Glen Helen 09....
Hangtown and Freestone this year was obviously not RV at his "race pace" and High Point was the first indication of what he can do from here on out...And he'll get better just like the other guys.....RV pulled away from the get go.....Dungey made up some time and RV just clicked it up again and kept the distance.....The quiet confidence factor is what makes RV dangerous and he obviously is a threat for the title....BTW, if you dont what to get roosted, wear your protective gear and dont take it off right before the race starts......
Hey Machete- I did actually see RV at the 2007 Des Nations and I know exactly what your talking about. I was blown away by his riding skill and agression on the race track and have never seen anybody ride a 250 so damn fast to this day. He flat out SMOKED everybody on that day, leading by over a minute at one point. I can still hear the sound of that PC Kawi resonating through the hills at Budds. Ben Townley even said it himself "RV owns Budds Creek when he is on". If in fact he is on- look out kids, cause its gonna be LIGHTS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!
It;s funny how when RV says the bike wasn't good enough to ride well in the first two races nobody says squat about it, and he is on a factory Kawi. When JS raced one race last year and said the bike wasn't dialed in, he got the crap beat out of him for saying it. What gives?? Sounds like RV is making excuses....bike wasn't dialed in my butt!!
GO CR22.
RV 1-1? Ahah yeah in your dreams.
@ It's funny...........huge difference. JS pulled off the track and didn't show his face again, blaming the bike because he can't admit he got beat.
Although I am not a fan of the " we are not ready" excuse or reason for JS7 not racing....I guess in some ways its better than doing what Pourcel did.....If James isnt ready or the bike isnt right or he just doesnt want to race....atleast he is staying home and not wasting peoples time half assing it....I think with JS7's past history outdoors and his speed he obviously still posses in SX, its foolish to say he wouldnt run up there with CR, RD and RV.....Would he dominate 24-0 if he did race, probably not...but I dont think these guys would smoke him....JS7 would be right up there....if he has issues with his ride and doesnt feel right, better he stay home then pull a Pourcel.....You could tell at Hangtown CP377 wasnt going to stick around long....
The difference between CP, JS, and RV...I never seen RV pull off or quit.
When RV goes 1-1 and Reeds lead is cut to single digit, I can't wait to hear the crickets from all the Reed posters! The sound of silence as he tumbles from 1st to 3rd in the points is going to be deafening!!
@ its Funny, totally different, because RV said "It was mostly my fault" Where Stewie makes excuses and blames the bike and everyone else. Its why RV gets respect and Stewie doesnt.
I know it's a RV interview / post but, I've got to mention the reality of the situation to the anti-Reed posters. There are 3 riders in the top 5 consistently at the pointy end, CR, RD & RV. Even IF RV goes 1-1 at each of the next two rounds and Reed goes 2-2, RV will still NOT have taken the points lead. There's a lot of racing left and so many are quick to dismiss that when even the pros themselves espouse those very same words. (almost) Nobody gave Reed any credit for being outdoor prepared, skilled, capable, etc, etc. and he is STILL in the drivers seat 3 of 12 rounds in and folks are waiting for the opportunity to dismiss him and herald RV as the new golden child. I truly enjoy rooting for the underdog and some people are making it too easy to root for Reed. Add the returning #800, #41, #33, etc, to the mix and it just gets more dramatic.
Thats the problem, MA 800, TC41 and JG33 coming into the mix. They have nothing to lose but to put it all out there and go for wins. And you know MA800 would like to see RV2 hit the dirt. And those KTM 450's pack some punch if they can rip the starting gate apart ha ha. The top 3 need to be careful around these guys cause they could really shake up the standings. I cant wait to see TC41 and what he can do outdoors. Kid was a force in supercross and if he hadnt been injured would have been in the hunt.
alright enough! you girls done with your gossiping? RV is feeling better folks thats obvious but the fact is is he knows he has to keep the hammer down with RD anCR they're real good but what they lack is the balls to the walls out of control gear that RV has and that's what makes him so fun to watch like stewart! he knows when to rest and when to roll the throttle and pump it up when needed. I want to see all 3 of them go at it for a few laps and then RV goes ballistic:)
I want Reedy to smoke these guys. If not Reedy then Alessi. Im getting tired of the Ryans
dgizzy, you will be tired for a while. Have a nice nap.
Wow, the Reed haters sure come crawlin outta the woodwork when a yank gets to beat him. It doesn´t matter who the drawler is, as long as it´s a drawler. This time it´s RV who´s the big man, next week it could be RD, or, "I´m the greatest", Alessi.. No matter. Fact is, the Aussie is the current captain of the ´ship and is wippin yankie butt, and you good ol boys are just plain hurtin. Lordy lordy, ain´t life a beech. LOL.
What is really funny is that RV still rode a bike to the finish line for two races and completed them both with a bike that was not ready. I think JS has recieved all the flack because he was running like third and pulled off the track, and then never raced until super cross. O yea and on top of that RV had to go and cover up in his trailer because his fever was so high in Texas. Now keep running your keyboard about how great JS is.
Bubba should hire Pourcel. Just sayin..... LOL
RV clearly controlled the first moto and finished a solid second in moto two to take the overall win. Congratulations to Ryan Villopoto on his first outdoor win of the season.
I am a little bit baffled by the RV fanboyz, however. The reality of the situation is that RV has only won one moto, and much like the fanboyz pre-season hype, I think the RV fanboyz may be a bit premature in their predictions. This is not a series that RV is going to dominate, not with Reed and Dungey in the mix. It is a series where there will be wins by all three of the major players. Take the second moto, for example.
In the second moto, RV failed to catch and pass Reed, and Dungey fell twice and was still able to close up on RV quite a bit. My point here is not to diminish RV's ride but to point out that his performance was not a dominating performance. There will be races that RV does dominate, and there will be races where Reed and Dungey dominate. What there won't be is the mythical moto-god that RV fanboyz have made RV out to be whereby he destroys the competition without barely breaking a sweat.
I used to watch RV at Mammoth coming out of the turn at the top of the hill. You could see the fire and the focus in his eyes, and knew this was one determined (and fast) hombre.
I just want to kinda set the record straight as far as this whole Reed, Dungey & Poto thing goes. I've been following all three riders throughout their pro careers and I will say that I like all three of them, as they all posess unbelievable skill level on a dirt bike, but I understand how people kind of dislike Reed a bit because of his attitude on the podium( and overall) in the past (seems like he was always whining about something - lappers, same old boring track layouts, etc). I never once heard any of that from RD or RV.......... ever. If anything they chalk it up to "Hey, thats racing" type of comment. Gheeeez, RD has had enough problems and frustration this year that you'd think he wanted to get up on the podium and punch out Erin Bates!!!!! (or someone for that matter) . On a positive note, he really seemed to change his whole outlook & attitude when he started riding for Decoster and Suzuki, and ever since then he's really gotten me on his side again. Anybody else notice that about him??? (about the time he started riding the RMZ).
I know this nickname has probably been used before but everytime I see RV on it,
Ryan "The Machine" Villopoto'
keeps popping in my head