Monday Conversation: Ryan Villopoto
Monday, April 2, 2012 | 10:00 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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PrintWe knew it was pretty much over, but now it's official: Ryan Villopoto is the Monster Energy Supercross Champion. Again. He's the first rider to repeat as champion since Ricky Carmichael in 2005 and 2006. After the race, Matthes talked to him about it.
Racer X: Back to back titles, clinching it earlier than anyone in history. Great job. Pretty easy win for you tonight.
Ryan Villopoto: Well yeah, I mean I had a good start. Davi [Millspas] just knicked me for the holeshot, but I was able to get around him then pull a decent gap.
How’s it feel?
It feels really good, obviously, to back to back it. I think Ricky was the last one to do that, so that feels good. It feels really good to get it out of the way. Last year it came down to the end there and I think the real thing that is really cool is that we get to start working on some outdoor stuff. Last year, we didn’t have that time at all.
Villopoto captured his second straight title in Houston on Saturday.
Simon Cudby photo
So you’re already looking forward to that.
Well, I mean getting some motos underneath us and testing and all that. Where we didn’t do anything [for outdoors at this time] last year.
Did you see Stew on the ground? Did you know what happened?
Well, I was paying attention to who was second, third and fourth. And I knew it was like Jake [Weimer] and Davi and stuff like that. So I knew he wasn’t in contention, so I knew I was good there. But I was like okay, those guys need to stay on it. They need to not make any mistakes. Then the crowd went wild. I saw a blue fender over there because I was actually just jumping the turn jump. Then I came around in a couple more corners and saw it was him. Then I was like well okay, just focus and finish it off.
It’s kind of opposite of last year, where you were maybe the fastest guy, but didn’t qualify one week and battled through and, like you said, took it to the wire. This year you got rewarded with kind of an easier way to get it.
Obviously once some guys dropped out, then it became a little bit easier. But other than that, James is still out there and other people have stepped up their game like Brayton and Jake. So it kept me on my toes, you know?
What about this track tonight? What’d you think?
Houston’s dirt’s always really good and the track was the fastest this week. The problem is that if the dirt’s really good, the track breaks down. One the triples on the far side out of the turn got very technical and hard to do halfway through the race.
With four rounds still on the schedule Villopoto's win in Houston set a record for quickest rider to capture a championship.
Simon Cudby photo
You were one of the only guys to do that triple-triple every lap, or most laps. How easy or hard was that to do?
It was tough, because at first that berm was brand new when we started, and then all the sudden there’s a rut. Then we went underneath that. Then we keep going underneath it and it becomes barely any run, so it becomes all about the bike’s power.
What about Barcia? You were on the starting line for that.
Yeah, it was kind of a big deal. I mean, I understand why he was mad, for sure. But I think he took it out on the wrong guys.
You’re not one to get caught up in history, but do you think about it? You’ve now gone back to back and passed a lot of people in the history books.
My goal isn’t to beat MC’s record. Even if I set them or break them, that’s great. But I’m just out there to win races and championships. Those are my goals and that’s what I’m trying to do.
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motocross and supercross is in very good hands..a true pro!!
Congrats RV!!
That's my Dogg!!!
To win races and championships..very well said..Mission accomplished with Supercross... Congrats to the Champ...
Congrats RV! Well deserved.... Can't wait for the outdoors!
Big fan of RV. Have been since he was on 80's. I will be the first to admit that his podium speeches leave a lot to be desired - but he does seem to let loose in his off TV interviews. Maybe they should let Matthes do the post-race commentary instead of Erin... Maybe then the riders would want to talk a bit instead of just spout off a list of sponsors.
Either way, RV is the man right now. Congrats!!
Taking it all Ryan is the eptiome of a Champion! A very good ambasador for our sport also!
Congrats RV1. His interviews have been improving. He and Adam Cianciarulo should work together. RV can teach the riding and AC the interviewing. Sport is looking brighter than ever.
Good hands indeed!
To be the champion, and the champion of champions, you have got to have serious priorities.
You life needs t be committed to this and this is something RV clearly understands.
Perhaps for some they get the taste of championships and they think they can kick back and it will still come to them. Lessoned learned!
congrats RV!!! its a great time to have a 6 yr old who loves MX!!! But I have a request- can u get a sponsor to make some kids pajamas already! My kids RC pj's are years to small!!! thanks
Guess you all like runaways??? This season is one to forget. At least when MC was killing it the competition was still out there. When is RV gonna come out of his shell and show some emotion like when he boxed 338 in the outdoors.
We need to see him melt down so the others think they have chance.
this ginger has soul!
The heat race with windham and js7 was the best heat race of the yr.
Way to go Ryan " Killo-moto" Villiopoto.... Although RV was my pick to win it again this year, I surely didnt think it would have been wrapped up this soon....Hope RD and JS7 are all healed up for the Nats because RV may be the 3rd guy to go undeafeated outdoors....it could happen.....
Way to go RV! Wearing the # 1 plate for another full year at LEAST!
I believe he will have an easier time with this years MX title. I don't think with a healthy Dungey in the field anyone can go 24-0. Dungey has too much fitness, too much speed and too much heart! He also has many tracks that he has had alot of success on, where he expects to win.
If everyone stays healthy it is an RV & RD show with RV winning 70+% of the time. If neither one of them crash out, one of them will win every moto outdoors this year.
Bring on MX!!!!
Congrats to RV and his Championship. I too enjoyed watching Kdub and little Stewie going at it, good racing!
For some reason, I see Matthes on his knees in front of Villapoto, doing this interview.
That championship acceptance speech was painful to watch. Even Dungey went "off-script" when he clinched his championships. In all fairness, everyone has some weakness. You make a recording of one of RC's race win speeches, just replay it 150 times, and it wouldn't be that much different than listening to each one. But he's the GOAT.
We're seeing a great rider at the top of his game.
are the bios correct on Villopoto?
Is he 27 and turned pro in 2000?
@Maico25 - no hes only 23 and turned pro in 2006
Back to Back, nutin else to say I guess.
Good job RV!! I like what he said about Barcia, he was an eye witness to him roosting the wrong people.....like the medical staff
ctrefz ... Don't hold your breath.
To YZSean (wherever you are) who was all about Dungey in 2010... RV RULES! RVRULES! RV RULES! RV RULES! RV RULES! RV RULES! RV RULES! RV RULES!
************************************************************
Barcia , is waiting in the wings .... No one will touch RCs record ever .... not even , dare i say it JS7.... Rv will walk away early and retire , if he is smart , before injurys
Congrats again RV
RV is going to kill them outdoors. Wont have any competition
Ryan Dungey will be battling for thirds most likely 4ths if bubba is out there. I think Bt101 will have RD covered by a mile for second. he's on that factory honda and got reed in his corner.
Way to go RV @persona I think I was too close last year to say BT will have RD covered by a mile. Ben is my favourite rider and he has won battles but lost a war with RV before but so has Dungey. Did you miss the nationals last year?
@bck333
I'am just tryin to mess with the RD guys lol. WE haven't been hearing much from them lately. Rd ill have Bt covered, I do think he will have JS covered though.
I wouldn't be so sure about Townley. He's my pick to be right there picking up the scraps RV leaves behind. I think Dungey will have his hands full with him all year long. Don't forget, Townley just raced and won a full New Zealand National series winning every moto but 1. And that was with Josh Coppins and Cody Cooper out there, not exactly slouches. I think we are going to see a Townley we haven't seen for quite some time and he'll be in midseason form at Hangtown. Dungey......not sure if he has even been able to get back on the bike yet.
Its amazing how Rv wins and everyone thinks he got the field covered. Chad had him outdoors b4 Chad crashed out and Chad had him again b4 he crashed out at san diego. I still beleive Chad was the guy to win this title. And last yr outdoors RD5 had this if it werent for some mechanical DNF so yeah im not handing RV the greatness yet. The MEC cup dungey was only 1 week on the katoom and Canard, Chad and JS7 were out so dont hand it out yet. Look for Chad to come back strong and once Js7 dumps blue for yellow he will be up there in the mix. I just dont see that blue bike surviving outdoors. If Js7 rides blue outdoors i predict Rv and Dungey own him. he may be frustrated and quit racing.BT101 on a 22 bike will be strong
Congrats RV on another championship. But for that broken leg in St Louis in 2010, we'd more than likely be talking about a three-peat winner of SX championships.
That's a hardcore accomplishment in this day & age of intense competition.
Good luck outdoors!
Rob
Is dgizzy1 a troll or is he serious? Chad was fast outdoors before his gnarly get off but he crashed and never looked the same. He was running a pace similar to Dungey last year before that crash but RV rose up, matched Dungey's pace and beat it. Now this year Chad was riding very well in Supercross but he crashed out... I see a similarity. Not crashing is part of the sport. As the old saying goes to finish first, first you have to finish. I'm a Reed fan myself and was hoping for a good battle all year but in SX this year RV rose above everyone. And the proof of that is his big fat #1 with the red plate.
Rv had the field covered last year in SX, MX, MEC and Des Nations.
So far he has the feild covered this Year in SX with 4 races to go.
Gizzy I dont get your point, chad didn't have him, he crashed trying though. last year and this year. CR was riding the best he ever has (according to him). I think CR will keep riding good to.
RV has not reached RC status and wont for a long time but lets face it he is on the right track and heading that way.
I hope everyone else continues to improve with keep pace with RV, it was great in 2011 not knowing each week who would win.
I hope TC, Barcia, BT, RD, DW, JW, JB, and JS all improve, i dream of a season where any of ten could win at a race where no one falls. RV is not having that same dream.
Its amazing how he wins everything and people Don't think he has the field covered.
Loks to me like he did
This season SUCKS! everybody hurt and RV cruises to the title...I call bullshit on my Vegas tickets that I bought months a go...anybody want to buy them...CHEAP! It costs a small fortune to buy the tickets, get to Vegas, hotel blah blah this just sucks!
Then they crown RV at this race! come on save all that crap for Vegas