Ryan Villopoto interview
By Alex Hodgkinson on 2nd Mar 15
On the eve of his world championship debut Ryan Villopoto took time out to chat with our man in Qatar, Alex Hodgkinson...
TMX: Welcome to the world championship Ryan. Would you have ridden another season of supercross if the GP option had not arisen?
RV: "No, I don't think so. Just because of the demands of the season over there with 17 SX and 12 outdoor, Monster Cup and MX des Nations. I was over that schedule.”
TMX: How did things develop back in the summer?
RV: "First, I still had current contracts to fulfil. I wasn't really having any fun with the schedule we faced and for me I figured I would be more happy to retire than to do another year like that so when this opportunity came up we started getting the ball rolling.”
TMX: Did your knee play a role in your decision?
RV: "I wouldn't say it played a big role in my decision, very little in fact. I'm certainly not worried that my knee is not up to the GP tracks. The tracks over here are different but one time or another we ride tracks like these in the States. We have tracks that are hardpack, we have tracks are a cross between SX and MX. I can't name a track which is harder than Vegas with blue groove tyre marks all over it so we get our fair share of different tracks, maybe not the rocks but we get the rest.”
TMX: It's reported that you will retire from racing at the end of the season, win or lose...
RV: "Yeah, that's my plan. Obviously, I could change my mind on it and never say never but I don't think so. It was obviously a big decision to come this way. It wasn't easy. We had to move over here to a very unknown place. I'm okay with it being different but I don't know yet how that's gonna be over a long period of time.”
TMX: Your first time in Qatar? How do you like it?
RV: "It reminds me of Vegas - desert, big lights, wide roads. Not like Europe where the roads are so small. But my wife and me are enjoying it so far. Every time we get off a plane it is something new - in the US everywhere is always the same.”
TMX: Tyla Rattray has many years of experience over here. Is that a help in a strange environment?
RV: "I don't think I'm learning anything from Tyla socially. He thinks he knows a lot...(laughs). I think I guide Tyla in lot of areas. In training Tyla starts a little ahead of me and I try to chase him down.”
TMX: How are you finding the European tracks you've practised on so far?
RV: "We got some good riding in on Sardinia. At least it didn't rain the entire time and we had a variety of tracks we were able to ride. So far it's been good. I've just been trying to make sure I'm ready.”
TMX: How have you fitted in to race in a European team?
RV: "It's a lot different. This is a factory team but privately run and I've never been a part of anything like that before. In the States there are some private teams but they're still very corporate. Over here it has a certain private feel.”
TMX: Did you have a lot of work to adapt their bike to how you like it?
RV: "To be honest we haven't changed much at all. It's pretty much the same bike they raced before, though we do have some different partners. And I have some good guys to work with. I like it when the mechanics watch the way a bike is working on the track, process what they see and give me feedback. The guys are straightforward with me and it's working well.”
TMX: What's your race plan?
RV: "There are a lot of really good riders involved so you have to minimise mistakes and salvage as many points as possible on your bad days. Either here or in the States you win titles on your bad days. It's new racing these guys, not just once a year at the Nations. It should create a lot of excitement. I think they will catch me off my guard at times but for sure I will do it to them. It brings back the excitement to race - the races are different, the riders are different. It'll be real all series.”
TMX: What's your take on how the SX series is going?
RV: "I watched A1 and A2 while I was over there but I didn't watch any since I came over here. I've seen all that and I know how it all goes and it's exactly what I expected to happen. Dungey may not be the fastest guy but he's the most consistent.”
