First-career Supercross win for Villopoto
By TMX Archives on 21st Apr 09
Kawasaki's Villopoto thrilled his hometown crowd with an electrifying win on Saturday night. Villopoto took the lead early and never looked back as he scored his first-career Supercross win.
Though Villopoto is only 20-years-old, healready has a laundry list of career accomplishments and his win inSeattle ranks right among the top. Villopoto led 16 of the 20 laps inthe main event in front of a very partisan crowd that was on its feetthroughout the race. After missing the last three events, Villopotoshowed he hadn't lost a step coming out fast in the first practicesession. He kept his speed up throughout the day, nearly winning hisheat race before riding to his first career win.
For the fifthtime this season, Morais stood on the second tallest step of thepodium. After winning his heat race in Seattle, Morais got out to agood start in main event, but just didn't have enough to catch the racewinner. With just one race left, Weimer now trails the championshipleader by nine points. After getting a bad start, Weimer proved to beone of the fastest riders on the difficult track, working his way upthrough the field to finish just one spot off of the podium.
Quote Villopoto:
"Thisis definitely awesome. I'm going to remember this for quite a while. Ihad a good heat race. I was able to ride really well. We worked on thebike this last week when I wasn't worried about being sick anymore. Astonight showed we made it better. I can't thank the team enough forsticking by me these last few weeks. They give 100 percent all the timeand this is the best way to repay them. It really is a double whammywith the win coming in front of the home crowd.”
Quote Laninovich:
"Icrashed in the heat race. Someone went down right in front of me and Iended up going over the bars. I got a really good start in my LCQ andended up winning that. I was happy just to make it into the main event.The track was really sandy and rutty. If we could get to a hard packtrack I think I'll be okay.”
Quote Morais:
"Second place isgood. "Though I like it on the podium, I want to get my first win. I'mtrying so hard. This is a great season for the team and me. They areworking so hard and I can't thank those guys enough.”
Quote Weimer:
"Tonightwas just one of those nights for me,” said Weimer. "I didn't get a goodstart, and I had to pass a few people. It was a tough track and therewere a lot of ruts. From here we just have to regroup and win the lastrace.”
Supercross results round 15
1. R Villopoto, Kawasaki
2. James Stewart, Yamaha
3. Davi Millsaps, Honda
4. Mike Alessi, Suzuki
5. Andrew Short, Honda
20. B Laninovich, Kawasaki
Supercross point standings after round 15
1. James Stewart, Yamaha, 332
2. Chad Reed, Suzuki, 329
3. Andrew Short, Honda, 241
4. Josh Grant, Yamaha, 208
5. Kevin Windham, Honda, 204
8. Ryan Villopoto, Kawasaki, 190
West Lites results round 7
1. Ryan Dungey, Suzuki
2. Ryan Morais, Kawasaki
3. Trey Canard, Honda
4. Jake Weimer, Kawasaki
5. Jake Moss, Honda
West Lites point standings after round 7
1. Ryan Dungey, Suzuki, 160
2. Jake Weimer, Kawasaki, 151
3. Ryan Morais, Kawasaki, 146
4. Justin Brayton, KTM, 103
5. Chris Blose, KTM, 95