Kawasaki Hits the Jackpot in Las Vegas
By TMX Archives on 5th May 09
Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto earned his second win in three races. Villopoto's victory came on the heels of Christophe Pourcel's victory earlier in the evening during the Supercross Lites Shootout.
With Pourcel and Villopoto each winning onSaturday night at Sam Boyd Stadium, it marked the first time Kawasakihas won in both the supercross and supercross lites classes at LasVegas. In all, the Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team placed all four of itsriders in the top six.
Villopoto book-ended his rookie season inthe supercross class with wins. At the season opener in Anaheim,Villopoto won his heat race in his first ever start in the class. Atthe finale in Las Vegas, the 20-year-old rookie took the victory in hislast main event as a rookie. The triumph on Saturday night capped off arookie season of two wins and five podium finishes in 13 starts.
Villopotois no stranger to winning having earned three AMA Motocross LitesChampionships as well as an AMA Supercross Lites West Coast title. Forhim to get back to the top step of the podium in the supercross classwas very rewarding.
Pourcel's victory came against the best inthe business in the supercross lites class as the shootout in Las Vegasfeatured riders from both the East and West coast series. With the 40fastest supercross lites riders entered into the night show, the AMAEastern Region Supercross Lites class champion had his work cut out forhim as he tried to earn his sixth win of the season.
Quote Villopoto:
"Mygoal all year was to be riding with the top guys. In the heat raceJames got by me, but I stuck with him and passed him back. I think thatgave me some confidence in the main knowing I could ride up front andcapitalize if he made any mistakes.”
"This win was harder thanmy first. At Seattle, Chad went down in the first turn and James wasway back. Tonight James was in the lead and I was able to pass him whenhe made a mistake. Then I tried to get a gap on him because you know heis very quick at coming back on you and making a pass.”
"I don'twant to say I was always up there (winning) in the lites class. But Iwas up there a lot and I got used to winning. This class is reallytough and it was a big transition for me.”
Quote Pourcel:
"Itfeels really good to win the shootout,” said Pourcel. "I just wanted toget a good start and I knew I could get into the lead. I didn't get theholeshot, but I just gave it my all and I was able to beat a lot offast guys. I'm really pumped.”
Supercross results round 17
1. R Villopoto, Kawasaki
2. Chad Reed, Suzuki
3. James Stewart, Yamaha
4. Kevin Windham, Honda
5. Ivan Tedesco, Honda
Supercross Point standings after round 17
1. James Stewart, Yamaha, 377
2. Chad Reed, Suzuki, 373
3. Andrew Short, Honda, 270
4. Josh Grant, Yamaha, 237
5. Kevin Windham, Honda, 236
6. Ryan Villopoto, Kawasaki 233
13. Tim Ferry, Kawasaki, 100
Supercross lites East/West shootout results
1. Christophe Pourcel, Kawasaki
2. Ryan Dungey, Suzuki
3. Trey Canard, Honda
4. Jake Weimer, Kawasaki
5. Austin Stroupe, Kawasaki
6. R Morais, Kawasaki