Monday Conversation: Ryan Villopoto
Monday, February 20, 2012 | 11:00 AM
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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PrintWith a victory in Dallas, Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto now has a three-race win streak and a 13-point lead in a supercross tour he wasn't even leading just a few weeks ago. Even bigger,Chad Reed, the rider who was shaping up as Villopoto's stiffest competitor for the Dallas win--and possibly even the championship--crashed out of the race. What kind of impact did that have on RV's race? We asked him for this week's Monday Conversation.
Racer X: Wow, what a race. You and Reed were really pushing it. Or were you? It looked like you were really pushing it. Were you feeling it?
Ryan Villopoto: I was definitely feeling the pressure from him, but at that point, it’s like I can’t see what he’s doing, I can’t see where he’s going a little bit faster. It’s kind of like I’m still going to ride fast, but I’m just gonna settle a little bit and just ride my lines and take my lines and be quick the whole time and try and inch away by him making mistakes. Obviously I don’t know what he’s doing or where he’s going on the track or where he may be a little bit quicker. It’s kind of like the deal where I hold it on and when I let it off, he holds it on just a little bit longer.
It’s easy for him because he’s behind you and it did look like he was out braking you in some spots.
Exactly. He was running it in, sticking it in and he knew where he could do that because he was behind me. At that point, it wasn’t like I was just going to open it up and just try and ride away from him because I knew that wasn’t going to happen. He was riding really good and I was just going to focus on myself.
With his win in Dallas, Villopoto holds a 13-point lead over Ryan Dungey.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Is that the hardest you’ve been pushed this year?
Um, I don’t know. San Diego was hard too, but not as early on. He was right there on the first turn.
After he went down, you probably heard the crowd and you felt no more pressure.
I heard his rev in there, too. I figured there was a mistake, enough to give me some breathing room. Then once I hit the triple, I looked over and I saw he was down.
From there , it was really just cruising home. Nothing to make you bummed on the track, huh?
No. Once that happened, it was just cruise it in and stay up.
The track, everyone seemed to like it. Everyone gave it glowing, positive reviews.
Well, I wouldn’t go that far. But it was way better than it was last year, that’s for sure. The dirt is really weird here. Normally the dirt gives when you case something a little bit and it moves. But here, there’s no giving, the bike moves from underneath you when you case something, so you’ve got to be precise.
Your teammate Jake Weimer, almost second place.
Yeah, I was hoping he was going to stay up front. He did.
What’s your points lead, do you know?
I think it’s 13 on Dungey then like 30 or 40 on Chad.
Oh, that’s big.
I mean, I think it is. Go back and look.
I guess I’m the media, I can go back and look.
Yeah.
Villopoto looks to make it four in a row this weekend in Atlanta.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Atlanta. Looking forward to it?
Yeah, that’s some good dirt, obviously, and they have the sell-out crowd. So it’ll be real good.
When are you going back to Florida?
Tomorrow morning.
Are you pumped on that?
Yeah, I’ve got two supercross tracks now. Well, I had one. Now I just have another one now. It’s brand new and we’re going to just go back there and get some good riding in.
The solitude of Florida might help you do better.
Nah, I mean I wouldn’t just say that, but definitely the track quality is better--it’s just a lot better for riding.
Final question for you, it’s the question that’s going through the pits and you may not have an answer. But what’s up with Stewie?
You know, I don’t know. I’m not on the team and I don’t hang with him, so I don’t know. We’ll see. He could still pull the hat trick and throw down one of the fastest lap times out there.
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I am not sure why Big Guy thinks Dungey has a bike problem. So for it looks pretty good and has not mechanical issues. I gets off the gate fine. Look at Dungey last year. Same Place. RV was ready at the beginning of the season unlike last year. BTW-RD5 KTM is one of only four brands that have won a supercross this year, and his old Suzuki ride has not been up there at all.
I guess you read to much internet shit to buy into RD-KTM not a worthy bike. The season is not over and he is only 13 points down on RV. The Kawasaki could have a mechanical and jump Dungey up front
Atlanta sells out every year but they still refuse to take away a west coast race that doesn't sell to capacity - it must be the cold temps on the east coast or something!
RV reminds me of Stanton or LaRocco in his interviews...
Especially the last question on Stewart - very diplomatic. He probaly wanted to say "who cares" lol!!
I can't really see that Dungey's problem is his bike. Last year, how long did it take him to get a win? Who do I want to win this championship? Dungey!
RV's bike have a mechanical? While not impossible it is very improbable.
Kawi has the 12 really dialed, since the middle late of 11 AND they are factory Kawasaki.
Right now, the Firecracker is firing on all cylinders, his team is solid, his conditioning is great and his confidence is at an all time high... since "The Pass " on the Locomotive, Ryan feels he can handle Dungey...KTM and Ryan are not that far back, if Dungey can get out and have a good race with RV,as Reed did, gain some confidence back it still can be an exciteing series....other wise ..it will be RV2...
Very smart, Very strong and very fast = ...Deadly
There are good professional motocross riders
Then there is RV
I bet when asked about the points lead he snickered inside
Gutted that Reed went down.. It kind of feels like the championship is over now. Although, as we all know, anything can happen in this sport. Can't give enough respect to this dude though, RV is a class act, on and off the track. Who the hell is going to take the crown of this dude..?
RV is riding very well right now, so it looks like the race will be for 2nd and 3rd. I loved the fact that Chad is a fighter and was giving RV a run for his money. I just can't see anybody else running that pace right now, but hope someone else will step it up. Can Weimer find a way to cut another second off his lap times in get up there? Also Hansen has been riding well too and keeping some what quiet and low keyed. The Fab5 is now down to just 1, the Fab RV1. I guess the last question "Whats up with Stewart?", maybe he doesn't have it anymore or the bar has really been raised this year.
Good interview, excellent questions and answers.
In the USA we refer to the act of applying the brakes as: Braking. That Canadian version of applying the stoppers: "breaking" always makes me chuckle though.
Ya Hosers.
RD and JS will not let RV have a walk in the park, I hope to hear CR just popped his knee out and is sore but will be in for sat, God I hate all these injuries. And yes I am writing this with screws and plates and many scars from this sport.
ACL for Reed is my Guess. Could be the end. Will he put someone else on his bike?? WHO??
.I still think JS will win a few but with a 40+ point lead will RV play or let him go??
.RD did not have the speed last year and has more work to do to get there this year. He could win but only if RV starts way back or crashes. I just hope RD has it diled outdoors.
RD needs to find the comfort level he had in 09 as a part time 450 rider and in 10 when he came out running down James in the whoops...by the end of the year, Poto was out and he put it in championship mode...he has not ridden with the same confidence or abandon since....for what ever reason ..the speed is in there ..he just needs to find the swithc ...and soon.....GO DUNGEY!!!!
Well at least we still have SX Lites!
Doh! now who looks like a dumdum....me!
I love how when I frist started commenting on this board a few years agao I started calling James Stewart "Stewie" and caught all kinds of hell for it, now almost everyone does it. Even Matthes calls him Stewie in this interview, now its OK, LOL!!
RV1 is strong and fast and in shape. Which doesnt look good for everyone else..Atlanta always has a huge crowd, so does St. Louis and Indy, always sell-outs. And there are still so many races out West that Dallas in an East Coast round, how lame..
There are good intelligent posters, then there is Claxton.
I bet when asked about the points lead, he sharpens sticks.
RV is only a first turn melee from being 10 points down to RD.....
dont forget its why they run the races
dungy will never beat rv1 ...think about it
Reed done for the season.Reed ruled out of AMA SX remainder, aims for outdoor return - official update with quotes from @CRtwotwo http://www.motoonline.com.au/2012/02/21/reed-ruled-out-of-ama-sx-remainder-aims-for-outdoor-return/#.T0LPNy55Jcg.twitter
Is that for real freeloader? The crash was nasty but damn, thats a lot of injuries! Hope he heals up good as new. Also, didnt RV have a mega lead last year when he failed to qualify for a main? As stated, strange things can happen. A throttle cable ripped out. A broken set of bars. A thrown chain. A Daytona mud bath. I like him and dont wish him any bad luck but being on top of your game guarantees you nothing. At this point, I like where Dungey is sitting.
I wish he would get his personality back. I understand it is very serious at this level but it seems like he doesnt even enjoy riding anymore it is just a job. He needs to loosen up a bit off the track I think. Its like Robot Vilopoto not Ryan Vilopoto anymore. I love watching him ride I have the most respect for him reed and dungey with how far they have pushed the level of riding. 3 or 4 years ago you would of thought it would have just been the Stewie show until he retired and now he can't even hang with Ryan. But I miss the lites Ryan I dont really like the super serious programed machine he has become. Chad Reed has been doing better then he ever has in his whole career at 29 at a age where he should be sitting home or be in the way but since he has had so much fun with it he became faster and more driven. I guess it is 2 different styles that both get the job done. But two years ago maybe 3 now there were more RV fans then 22 fans and it has switched up to the point where reed is almost on K-Dub's level when it comes to the fans favorite
.
Thank you BD25. People are constantly comparing RD5's new KTM bike/team with last year's Suzuki bike/team(which was minus Decoster and was inferior to the previous few years). The correct comparison would be with the 2010 Suzuki when Dungey and that team had everything in place. Guys they are not there with that KTM yet-but they are only a few races into this whole thing! I hear all the criticism of Dungey's style/philosophy but the worst thing that could happen to this huge KTM/DUNGEY deal would be for him to override, crash and have to sit out a year like all the other top guys have done at least once the last 2 or 3 years. Dungey is very calculating and I have no problem with that.