Windham Racing in Australia, Villopoto Isn’t
Cycle News Staff | October 21, 2010
AMA Supercross runner-up Kevin Windham will follow Chad Reed Down Under to contest the second round of Super X, the Australasian Supercross Championship in Canberra Stadium in the Australian capital this weekend.Riding for the Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor Racing Honda team, Windham, 32, joins a lineup that includes Ben Townley (Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Honda/Red Bull), Ivan Tedesco (Valli Motorsports Yamaha), Josh Hansen (Monster Energy / Pro Circuit Kawasaki), Mike Alessi (Jagermeister KTM), and Australian Chad Reed (Team Vodafone), winner of both races in last weekend’s double round in Newcastle. Reed beat Hansen by 1.7 secs. in race one and Justin Brayton by 4.77 secs. in race two. Hansen was third.”I am very excited to be here. This is my first trip to Australia and I have the whole family with me,” Windham, who flew down just for the Canberra race, said. “It was a long flight and I only arrived yesterday, but I am keen to get out and have a look at the track ahead of tomorrow.”The Triple Challenge three race format is all new to Windham. Open riders will compete in two eight lap heats with first through ninth transferring directly to the main. The final is three seven lap races in the Open class with points awarded for each race. The rider with the most points is the night’s winner.”This format is all new to me, but I am pumped and can’t wait to get out there,” Windham added.Windham’s progress can be followed on online at hondamx.com.au.Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto was to join the series for two events beginning late next month, in Sydney and Brisbane, but withdrew because he hasn’t been able to train following his recovery from a broken tibia and fibula at the St. Louis Supercross in April.”I am really disappointed that I can no longer come to Australia to race in front of all of the Supercross fans there and I apologize to any I have let down,” said Villopoto. “If I was fit to race I would be there in a heartbeat because I was genuinely so excited about checking out the country and competing there.”
