(Buchanan, Michigan, July 6, 2013) – Ryan Villopoto kicked off the second half of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Series with a big win at the RedBud round of the schedule in Buchanan, Michigan, going 1-1 on his Monster Energy Kawasaki to sweep the 450 class.
Villopoto showed just how easily he could work through the field on the rough and deeply rutted RedBud course, going from just inside the top-10 after his first moto start, to first place by lap four, passing Ryan Dungey, James Stewart, Trey Canard and early leader Josh Grant in the process.
After securing the lead, Villopoto found another gear and pulled away to a massive gap over the field, finishing the race with over 27 seconds to spare over second place finisher James Stewart.
Grant held on for his best finish of the year with a third in the moto, while Team Muscle Milk Honda teammates Trey Canard and Justin Barcia rounded out the top five.
Defending series champ Ryan Dungey had a rough go of it in moto one, stalling his bike on lap 12 and not being able to restart it. The Red Bull KTM rider was credited with 34th.
In moto two, Stewart grabbed the early lead with Grant close behind. Villopoto was third on lap one and moved into second on lap two. For the next three laps Villopoto pushed Stewart for the lead, putting a wheel in on the Suzuki rider in a couple of places trying to force a mistake. At one point the two riders seemed to come together, with Villopoto going off the track to avoid a collision. The Kawasaki rider remounted in second, however, and pulled back to within striking distance, making a pass for the lead on lap six.
Dungey seemed eager to make amends for his misfortune in the opening moto and was right behind Stewart during the early laps, although Stewart finally put quite a bit of distance on Dungey by the end of the race.
At the finish, Villopoto completed his sweep, taking the win by 32.519 seconds over Stewart, with Dungey another 26 second back in third.
Stewart was second overall with a 2-2 finish, while Grant rounded out the podium after going 3-5.
Canard was fourth overall with a 5-6 tally, and Barcia finished the day in fifth overall after turning in a 9-4 performance.
Results
1. Ryan Villopoto (Kaw) 1-1
2. James Stewart (Suz) 2-2
3. Josh Grant (Yam) 3-5
4. Trey Canard (Hon) 5-6
5. Justin Barcia (Hon) 9-4
6. Justin Brayton (Yam) 6-8
7. Malcolm Stewart (Hon) 8-7
8. Andrew Short (KTM) 4-12
9. Jake Weimer (Kaw) 7-13
10. Broc Tickle (Suz) 11-11
