(Washougal, Washington; July 20, 2013) – Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto finally got a hometown win at the Washougal Motocross facility in Washougal, Washington, turning a 2-1 moto performance into the overall victory at round eight of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Series this weekend.
Villopoto’s main rival in the 2013 title chase, Ryan Dungey, came into the Washington race riding a five-race win streak at the facility (including two Lites wins), and his win in the first 450 moto of the day put the Red Bull KTM rider in good position to claim a sixth-straight victory. Dungey looked even more likely to continue his streak after the he grabbed the holeshot to lead the field into the opening lap of moto two.
Villopoto stuck tight to Dungey, however, and got little resistance from the defending series champ when he passed him to take the lead on lap five of the 17-lap race. From there, Villopoto stretched his lead to over eight seconds by the end of the moto. The 2-1 moto tally gave Villopoto his fifth overall victory of the season and stretched his lead in the series standings to 42 points over Dungey with four races remaining.
Dungey held on for second place in the final moto, giving him second overall on the day with a 1-2 performance. Overall, it was a good performance for the KTM rider, however, he is slowly seeing his title hopes for 2013 slip away.
James Stewart was solid all day and rounded out the podium with a pair of thirds. The Yoshimura Suzuki rider ran as high as second in moto one, but was way behind Villopoto and Dungey by the end of both motos.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer turned in his best outdoor performance of the year, going 10-4 for fourth overall, while Moto Concepts Suzuki’s Mike Alessi was fifth overall with a 7-6 total.
Despite bending a wheel on the first lap of the second moto, JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha’s Josh Grant ended the day in sixth overall after going 5-10 in the two motos. In the meantime, BTO Sports/KTM’s Andrew Short continues to turn in impressive rides and finished seventh overall with a 6-9 tally.
Results
1. Ryan Villopoto (Kaw) 2-1
2. Ryan Dungey (KTM) 1-2
3. James Stewart (Suz) 3-3
4. Jake Weimer (Kaw) 10-4
5. Mike Alessi (Suz) 7-6
6. Josh Grant (Yam) 5-10
7. Andrew Short (KTM) 6-9
8. Chad Reed (Hon) 9-7
9. Broc Tickle (Suz) 13-5
10. Justin Barcia (Hon) 4-17
