Concluding the 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in fine style, Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto emerged victorious and took the 2011 crown on 7 May, his first overall victory in this most prestigious Championship.
With 17 races over a period of five months, the Washington based rider pulled a series of strong points and podium performances out of the bag week after week and month after month to secure one of the sport's top prizes for himself and his sponsors.
Consistency was key – but so too were podiums - and the factory Kawasaki rider achieved both on the Championship trail defeating some of the world's most skilled off-road riders in the process.
Villopoto opened his season with a victory at the Angel Stadium in Anaheim, and repeated the feat again in the third event held at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, pushing him to the top of the points table.
Following strong places but no wins in the next four events, the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider once more made it to the top step of the podium at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, in February, repeating his winning ways in Daytona and Indianapolis to accrue a comfortable lead over the chasing field.
With five victories from ten races, many in the sport confidently predicted the title would be Villopoto's at season end…but there was still a long way to go!.
Villopoto grabbed his sixth victory at the Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 30 and, with 16 races competed, only one event was left at Las Vegas, Nevada and all Ryan needed was a fifth place or better to get to take the Supercross crown.
Avoiding trouble at the 7 May in the US's gambling capital, Villopoto's took no chances and his clever and skilful riding allowed him to avoid getting caught up in any on-track issues and finish in third place and take the title in a mature display of tactical racing.
The third place finish was easily more than sufficient for the Kawasaki rider to secure his first ever AMA Supercross Championship title and the Kawasaki rider ended the season with 338 points, 14 ahead of the runner-up, Chad Reed.
After the event, Ryan said, "I just have to thank everyone at Kawasaki. The team believed in me through thick and thin. We'll enjoy this. It was a hard-fought battle.",
With 17 races over a period of five months, the Washington based rider pulled a series of strong points and podium performances out of the bag week after week and month after month to secure one of the sport's top prizes for himself and his sponsors.
Consistency was key – but so too were podiums - and the factory Kawasaki rider achieved both on the Championship trail defeating some of the world's most skilled off-road riders in the process.
Villopoto opened his season with a victory at the Angel Stadium in Anaheim, and repeated the feat again in the third event held at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, pushing him to the top of the points table.
Following strong places but no wins in the next four events, the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider once more made it to the top step of the podium at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, in February, repeating his winning ways in Daytona and Indianapolis to accrue a comfortable lead over the chasing field.
With five victories from ten races, many in the sport confidently predicted the title would be Villopoto's at season end…but there was still a long way to go!.
Villopoto grabbed his sixth victory at the Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 30 and, with 16 races competed, only one event was left at Las Vegas, Nevada and all Ryan needed was a fifth place or better to get to take the Supercross crown.
Avoiding trouble at the 7 May in the US's gambling capital, Villopoto's took no chances and his clever and skilful riding allowed him to avoid getting caught up in any on-track issues and finish in third place and take the title in a mature display of tactical racing.
The third place finish was easily more than sufficient for the Kawasaki rider to secure his first ever AMA Supercross Championship title and the Kawasaki rider ended the season with 338 points, 14 ahead of the runner-up, Chad Reed.
After the event, Ryan said, "I just have to thank everyone at Kawasaki. The team believed in me through thick and thin. We'll enjoy this. It was a hard-fought battle.",
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