The Moment: Monster Energy Cup
Tuesday, October 18, 2011 | 1:40 PM
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It seems like a paltry sum now, but for a few years at the old U.S. Open Supercross event in Las Vegas, the promoters put up $250,000 if any rider could put together a perfect weekend—win Friday and Saturday night’s hot lap comp, grab both holeshots and win both main events.
James Stewart and Chad Reed had a cup of coffee with the big bounty in 2006 and 2007, respectively, with perfect Friday nights. But on Saturday, the focus on the money led to strange things. In ’06, Stewart bobbled during the hot lap competition, allowing Kevin Windham to score the fastest time. In ’07, Reed got a bad jump in the main, but, knowing he needed the holeshot to get the big money, held it on down the inside, igniting a massive first-turn crash—which ultimately cost him any chance of even winning the event overall.
Much more money was on the line this Saturday at the first-ever Monster Energy Cup. While Ryan Villopoto didn’t necessarily have to get a holeshot to be in line for the million-dollar bonus (it didn’t pay a bonus), he knew a bad start would end any hopes for a race win. The pressure was on RV to deliver—but he has proven time and time again to be impervious to pressure. He got another good jump, and about halfway down the start straight, began pulling the field, just like he did in the first two races.
Mike Alessi (800) sneaking in from the outside to grab the holeshot over Villopoto (2).
Photo: Simon Cudby
But then, a rival appeared. From an extreme outside gate, Mike Alessi dug into his old bag of tricks and found his once-unbeatable holeshot form. It looked like Mike was riding an RM-Z850 the way he launched from the gate and beat everyone to turn one. Villopoto started second.
That first lap illustrates the divergent career paths of the former amateur rivals. Villopoto was on the verge of capping one of the greatest seasons in the history of the sport by capturing the largest cash prize ever offered in a race. He is at the peak of his powers, now beginning to ignite “all-time” talk about where his accomplishments could rank in history when his career is over.
As for Alessi, the one who beat Villopoto so many times in the amateur days, the path is different. After a second-straight year without a victory, he finds himself without a factory ride. Villopoto would only stack the million-dollar bonus on top of the big bank account he built this year. Alessi wanted to use the purse to fund his 2012 efforts—which he may pay for from his own pocket.
The once heated rivalry has now lost its luster.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Alessi was riding a Suzuki for the second time in his career—after just ending his KTM factory tenure for the second time. Villopoto, meanwhile, is still under contract with Kawasaki, a brand he’s been riding since the 85cc (14-15) class. Alessi was fighting for his spot in the sport; Villopoto was only solidifying his position at the top.
Half a lap later, Villopoto made the pass, took the lead and took off with the Monster Million. Alessi didn’t do anything sinister or dirty to stop his old rival from getting the win—for whatever reason, he reserved that treatment for Ryan Dungey in a battle for second. Remember, when Dungey moved onto a 450 at Suzuki, Alessi was left without a spot on that team. And the same thing just happened again at KTM.
As for the Alessi and Villopoto rivalry, well, that one is long since over.
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RV2's riding saturday night reminded me of his ride at the Des Nations in Budds Creek in 2007. No one was beating him, Period!!
The 2012 KX450F and Villopoto are going to be tough to beat.
Man RV was fast going through these rollers.
The Kawi suspension looked so smooth.
Im glad the MEC coverage ran over into the F1 coverage, because that means F1 fans were tuning in to watch MEC! Great exposure for the sport!
Super pissed about that Nascar bullshit they pulled, though. I mean, I get it, they wanted to tell us the results, but don't sit there and give an in-depth commentary about it! I hate when "big" sports act like they're better than everyone else.
Good write up Weege!!
The last few words sums it up.....The rivalry (on a competitive level) hasnt existed for quite a few years now..Glen Helen 09 was the perfect ending to that rivalry, even though it was pretty much over in the lites days in my opinion..RV has 3 Lites titles, 1SX and 1MX on the 450.... Alessi has NOTHING!!....Although, even today when you watch these behind the scenes rants by Alessi on "Inside the Moto"...all they talk about is Villopoto this and Villopoto that...." Mike used to beat Villopoto"....well, not anymore buddy...not even close...maybe they should worry about the guys they may have a shot at beating....
I was wondering if the nonsense alessi was pulling with Dungey was due to the loss of Mikey's ride at KTM.....Dungey or not, I think he was gone anyway....
INDEED SMEE!!!! I was so irritated....who the F cares about who won the Nascar race that was televised on another station....The entire time I was like " shut up,,,who cares...hurry up"..... Cowboy Ralph said we wouldnt miss any action.....BS...they come back in and we see the last lap of the 250's......LAME.... I doubt one person was like " cool...the Nascar results...been waiting for that".....MX always gets the shaft....
@Trend Killer, good write up yourself. Your comments here are spot on!
I've got to say I feel kind of sorry for Mike Alessi. I'd like to see him make it happen for himself as a privateer this year. He looks to have the speed at times, but not the endurance. I wonder if it is due to too much weight training. I know I've read that it takes lots of blood and oxygen to feed large muscles, so they are less efficient for endurance type events. Dunno. RV was on another level than everyone else. RD was getting bucked badly in that fast roller section. I'm sure he and the team will get that bike working better by A1.
Little Mike could not do anything to RV he was going to FAST!!! LOL
yeah, i'm a huge Villopoto fan, but was kind of pulling for Alessi to do something amazing. But in all honesty, he rode like a punk. I know its racing, and you should do whatever to hold your position and all that stuff, but he was clearly off the pace and just trying to take everyone out. Same goes for Vince Freize, i was glad to see KDub put him on the deck. I thought the track was cool and absolutely amazed at how fast the amateurs ran. Adam (whatever his last name is) was flying.. I mean really? a 1:37? thats awesome. especially if you consider he lost at least 5 sec by not being able to do the big double, well at least 3 sec. and the only reason he couldn't do it was simply not enough power to get the speed since the corner was so close. But the big bikes All-Star class was fast! they were running 1:31's? The future of motocross looks extremely bright!
...whenever RV2 is behind Alessi......Alessi's arms lock up and he freezes like a deer in the head lights....then RV motors away and Alessi takes it out on whomever is passing him next because, like Bill C says.....Mike cant do anything....Alessi got passed in that same turn like 10 times
@Trend Killer, Mikey only froze out of fear that Poto might have knocked him into the cheap seats if he pulled anything stupid.
@czmark I don't think he was scared....because Mike and Ryan have been racing each other their whole lives, so Mike, should know that Villopoto, won't pull that crap....he may put a aggressive pass on you but he wouldn't take some one out for no reason.
oh man i laughed out loud and applauded when kdub punted that vinny kid out of that turn.
somebody needed to do it, and kevin is the right friggin man to do it!
i instantly thought back to his hit on dv12 a few years back. that one was sweeter i think.
you da man kdubya! sick transfer at MEC too
Best part of this whole race was K-dub dropping Vince Freize. I was yelling at my TV for windham to take him out after the crazy sht he was doing in front of him... classic.
RV cleaned Mikes clock in 06 I think, Mike had the lead and was trying to hold off RV and finaly RV took him out. Mike has never had a chance sence LOL. I remember RV first outdoor title, Last race Mike say this is my Fav track, RV does NOT need to win, Mike holeshots RV comes form WAY back runs him down passes him and wins by a lot. Moto 2... SAME thing LOL that was classic RV did not need to win but needed to prove a point!! I still remember the look on mikes face too!!!
I still laugh every time I think about Friese getting put to the ground by Kdub. KW14 should of got bonus cash for that. Mike, way to make an total aaasss out of yourself.
Smee113....Speedtv Canada blanked out the 3rd race!!! We saw nothing up here except writing on the tv that read "Speedtv Canada does not have the rights for this F1 race" LOL.. So, while all of you were enjoying the 3rd race and RV scooping the million, we got a blank tv screen with that message. Speedtv does if often up here. If an event runs into overtime, looks like no one is in the office to correct it so they shut it down.
I respect Monster for trying something different but this race was kinda weak! Mini race was cool to see these kids pinning it off everything. Crowd was thin though. Kinda a flop just like the McGrath inventaitonal a few years ago. Monster lost money on this before they even had to pay RV2 the mill.. Would pay to see just the amatuer and mini race but the pro race was about as fun as reading, Just Sayin!!!!
I was actually expecting less of a crowd and was pleasantly surprised at the turnout. It does kinda suck that the track didn't make for great racing....and the "sand whoops" were looking a little too hardpack to be considered sand. Anyhow I'll take any racing I can get and I hope they do it again next year and learn from their mistakes.
I think Monster could have saved themselves about $750,000 by paying Dungey to ride his Suzuki for 2 more weeks...not saying he would have won, but I think he would have stood a much better chance of beating RV. He rode great considering how little time he has on the KTM (I did a Suzi to KTM switch a couple years ago myself...and I'll say it's a world of difference, especially cornering...but you get used to it!). Hopefully they can get his bike setup properly for A1.
*by paying Dungey $250,000*
While I wasnt on the field when Alessi came in with his shift lever missing- you could see Tony Alessi throwing a tantrum.............. what a punk and now everyone gets to see why Mike has burned nearly every bridge in pro moto.... his idiot Dad!!! Good luck getting a factory ride Mike with your DG dad screwing everything up. So next time he says to you "WE are doing good out there", perhaps you should tell him "I am the one riding, not you!"
Oh yeah..... RV looked a lot like he did at Budds Creek in 07 as he was not going to be beat by anyone. CONGRATULATIONS RV!
"he knew a bad start would end any hopes for a race win". I think with a top ten start, he may have been able to pull it off! RV was flying and I think his banzai style would have taken him to the front.
mrb186 - I agree....RV passes people when they least expect....I go back to Unadilla...Moto 1....RV railed a rut and passed Dungey.....Dungey was so surprised to see RV scream by in that turn, he went off the track
This is the second time Alessi lost his ride to Dungey; that makes me happy.
Windham took Friese down; couldn't happen to a better dude.
Villopoto was on another planet- period. Stupid fast.
The crowd sucked- people yelling for those actually excited to be there to sit down. No one cheered, except for Windham taking Friese down.