5 Minutes with… Ryan Villopoto
Wednesday, March 2, 2011 | 3:55 PM
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PrintCourtesy of Monster Energy
Sometimes when a ball gets rolling, it’s hard to stop. With Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, the ball is seriously rolling. Even when things are bad, they’re pretty good. This week, his good fortune landed him in the race lead on the last lap after running third for most of the event. And the antics of his closest points rival on that last lap landed him four extra points in the championship chase. Villopoto now sits 10 points up in the championship chase as we head to Daytona.
Monster Energy: You didn’t get a great start, but you were putting in laps and sort of keeping those guys in sight the whole time, but you couldn’t have counted on them going down like that, could you?
Ryan Villopoto: No, not really. I wish I was up there to really get in there, but I think I was slow in the whoops. I mean, I haven’t looked at segment times, but what Fish said and trainer Aldon, I was slow in the whoops. I was just a little bit slow there, but everywhere else I think I was real similar. But I think the track was tough to make a big difference or gains on people.
Well, on that last lap, you come around and you see those two fighting to get up; what went through your head? Did you hear the crowd?
I mean, I’ll take it! Yeah, I heard them. I mean, I’ll take it; it’s a gift for sure. You know, it’s sometimes not about being the fastest guy, it’s about being smart, too. Like I said, I’ll take it. It’s a blessing, for sure.
Villopoto was handed a gift when Stewart and Reed came together.
Photo: Courtesy of Monster Energy
Basically, you would have lost five points and probably been second in points if Stewart would have won. Now, all of a sudden, you’re seven more points up...
I think if anybody is the guy to find speed, it’s Chad [Reed]. I think he’s done that and I think he's one of the players now. It’s going to make it tougher. So, we’re going to have to be on it and hope for the best. I mean, all of us are. You know, it can go so many ways. It depends so much on the start because we’re all so close.
What’s going on with your starts? In the heat races, it seems like they’re all right, but in the main events it seems like they kind of stink...
Well, at least it wasn’t last weekend’s start [in San Diego]... Actually, I was good out of the gate. James [Stewart] had a little bit of a wheel on me, he was a couple gates inside of me, and then I just checked up a little too much going into the first turn and kind of got swallowed from the inside and outside. But, like I said, I’ll take that over last weekend, for sure.
Did anything interesting happen during the week?
No, nothing interesting, but we go back home to Florida and I get to ride my new Supercross track. It’s going to be good to get on that dirt and be back home.
You call Florida “back home” now?
It’s home. I mean, it’s fun. I’ll leave it at that.
RV celebrates his win in Atlanta.
Photo: Courtesy of Monster Energy
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REMEMBER LAST YEAR AT DAYTONA THE WAY POTO WAS ATTACKING THE TRACK . HE WILL WIN THIS YEAR YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST. GO POTO AND GOOD LUCK ON THE CHAMPIONSHIP
You beat me to it, I agree....GO VILLOMOTO
Wow....admitting that a guy has gotten in to your head??? I dont know what to think of that..... i guess i respect his honesty about it, but not so sure you should say it out loud though!! Daytona is going to be very interesting for sure!!!
Didn't deserve that win, he just got lucky. Stewart deserved it, if only Reed wasnt such a baby
I WILL PREDICT POTO,DUNGEY CRASH, AND CARNARD WILL TOP THREE ALONG WITH REED AND STEWIE WILL WIN HES MAD AND HUNGRY!!!!!!!!
besides james rv was my guy to win it all the way but after this past race i didnt like rv comments u cant go n say that not always the fastes win but the the smart come on everyone was so off the speed of james n chadd that the only thing u can say about that its that they got a free one got handle to them come on lets be honest last lap if u really want to get some respect again u better step it p cuz i wasnt the onlyone that its saying this just talking
Good lord most of you guys are pathetic. Stop complaining and enjoy the races.
Well put Luis - couldnt believe my ears listening to 'Potto's post race comments.
You might be an idiot, i wouldnt consider RV way off there pace, i mean if you look once RV got into 3rd place he consistantly stayed 3-5 secs off there pace and ran lap times consistent with theirs if you look at the lap charts. If he would have started with them it would have been a 3 way battle
You might be an idiot, i wouldnt consider RV way off there pace, i mean if you look once RV got into 3rd place he consistantly stayed 3-5 secs off there pace and ran lap times consistent with theirs if you look at the lap charts. If he would have started with them it would have been a 3 way battle
seriously! bunch of drama queens
Can't wait till this weekend!!!
I guess if the situation were to happen again RV should just pull over and let them back by so some of you asshats can be happy. Villipoto didnt deserve to win? Guess its a good thing you dont make the decisions huh? How about everyone just be happy we still have the top guys healthy so Dungey doesnt get another gift wrapped title.
James is pissed, but that may work against him. It's the longest supercross of the year, and the most demanding track. If js and cr are even close, It's going to be good to see who uses his head, and who just plain looses it.
You gotta love RV's style, never seems concerned about the head games. These five guys have almost justified paying for TV.
Bubba wins by 10 secs or more....I just wish he would still do the worm dance on the podium like he did back in the one 25 daze
This weekeknd will be great, I hope. And I hope the whiners are happy now that he said his win was a gift.
DJames30 - are you really that stupid? On one hand you state that because RV won due to other guys going down people are "asshats" for being critical that he got handed a race he did not win. Yet, you state Dungey got a "gift wrapped title" because others crashed out of the Title hunt? Wow. Critical thinking is not your strong suit.
Nice to hear some unfiltered honesty from a rider. This is an awesome season and notice how the it's the same people whining week after week when stewart doesn't win? Thanks for justifying why everyone hates Stewart fans
This years supercross is awesome. Stewart is pissed, Reed is arrogant, and VP is bringing it!
Ryan 93- that was without a doubt the whinniest, gayest comment I have ever seen! Are you enjoying this at all? If not go do something else, its suposed to be entertaining not frustrating.
Let's not exaggerate RV's statement about sometimes the smartest wins....he is simply saying he road a smart , consistent race and it worked in his favor since the 2 egos were playing crash em' derby up front...Yes, it was a gift win, RV says so himself, but had he not ride "Smart" aka not crash trying to catch up or let off and slow down since he was too far behind , he may not have won.....Also, a one race gift is much different than a 15 gift races.....
He deserved it because he was there to take advantage of the cat fight up front. If he was up front there's a good chance he wouldn't have won it, because CR and JS wouldn't be all alone to take each other out. I'm sure he didn't love the win as much as taking it straight up but it doesn't always go that way. .
What does " courtesy of Monster Energy" mean ?? WHO wrote this !? Is not like Monster is doing us some favor here for gods sake....
How does the guy who crosses the finish line 1st not deserve to win? I think that that may be one of the most ill thought out statements I have ever heard
I big part of this sport is, "You got to be there in the end to give yourself a chance to win. Going down, or more importantly, NOT going down is a big part of wining races and championships. It is why JS has so few wins and championships compared to the seasons he has been in the sport, AND why Ricky has so many.
So, RV road within himself, was within a few seconds on the last lap, and took advantage of the other guys going down. He stay up, he crossed first, he deserved the victory.
Oh, mechanical failures are included here as well, so please do not complain if your guys bike brakes but his lap times were faster.
Sheesh.
all you guys saying RV didnt run the pace of reed and stewie are true idiots. On lap 3 RV was 4 seconds back , and on lap 20, RV was.... 4 seconds back. Better take a math class.
Good Reed interview at GRINDTV by Mr Cox.....Reed talks crap....takes them both out but "Hopes things are cool between us still ".....what a kook 22 is
"Amazinpete"......"thanks for justifying why everyone hates Stewart fans"...........really dude?? Whatever!! Not sure why you think it is any different than certain fans for ANY rider........the same can be said for any of them!!
Tommy....ahaha....the catfight up front....classic! Let's not forget, RV threw away big points several times last year and the smart guy ended up winning. Dungey would just chug along while RV was busy packing his silencer with dirt....it was defintitely much quieter! Rv is the man to beat this year, he's got speed and the smarts going. Daytona ought to be a sign of what the Nationals will look like this year, with a Stewart thrown in. I expect RV to make a huge statement. I also expect Dungey and Canard to make some waves. I wonder....if James bought out L&M, can he race the MX Nationals full time again? I guess we'll see if it was Larry and that pesky contract.
the smartest guy and fastest guy still hasn't been the Dunge.....where are all the " dungey will dominate" people at?????
Billypoto needs to stepit up a tad! Smart wins championships.... Heart wins fans!!!!! Fans= $$$$ nuff said
Right here Trend Killer! Eventhough I never expected him to dominate in this top level of riders. The Kid has got a ton of heart, and we may not have seen it yet but somewhere in the future he's gonna play a major role in the drama! Hell if he hadn't thrown his chain he would be right there!! Daytona is as close to a outdoor track in the SX venues, and I think his skills are going to shine this week. For such a young guy people are sure ready to throw him under the bus even though the season hasn't reached the half way point yet!! Remember in the preseason SX prelude, Dungey commented on how long the season went on. A strong finish just may be the miracle to leave everybody's jaws lying on the ground at the end of the season! And it would be justice served to all the doubters. Of course they would be extremely hard to find at that time! I can hear people say they knew he would pick up the pace near the end, and they said it the whole time. So don't forget if the time comes remember who's bandwagon you've been riding!!!!! Dungey deserves major respect people!!!
RV's attitude on the podium last week lost my respect. Like riding around in 3rd 5 seconds back is "smart". Why cant he just say he needs to send Chad a Christmas card for the present he got? Or is he too busy bangin his tech guys wives?
I was @ last years Daytona race. RV will put the wood to the boys again this year !!
Ride4Ever - down boy.... I have lots of respect for RD...kid is great....just not the top dog some folks make him to be is all I am saying..I am sure RD will make it to the top step and he has bright future, but his year of dominating last year was lacking some major competition and he hasn't quite been in the battle to date this year.....no disrespect....but defending champ should be in the battle...he had more time to prep for the series than 2, 7 and 22 and has not put it together yet....in fact, he seems to be falling off the pace ...
True that Trend killer! But let's not forget it's always harder to repeat the second year. And I do listen to what people say with utmost attention. The dunge, if you recall said he couldn't believe how long the season was. I think he hasn't forgotten that. He may be trying to top out at the point where it counts the most: The finish! Let's wait and see. And as far as last year, he was the top dog! Bar none!!! You know what they say about excuses..............
Man, gas prices are getting on my nerves!!! LIke it or not Dungey got 2nd after he passed #7 and #22. He's hangin in there. There is really no way to predict the outcome at Daytona until it happens before our eyes.
Why lose respect for RV? He just finished a crazy race and ended up winning on the last lap...he said what came to mind...he could of said " Stewart and Reed are fags and F'd themselves while I watched ".....so he is playing it cool....just like the race
And by the way Villopoto's tire seems to be going a little flat lately also!! By the way I am a fan of #2, just saying..........Can't be at your peak all the time!!!!!! And once again.. Dungey threw his chain= DNF. Still in the hunt though!!!!......!!!!!! Have a little patience, and maybe a little faith!!!!!
hahaha ralf i take it your wife got banged by some dude thats faster than you...
hahahahahah this shit is like jersey shore style drama right here.
Ride4ever - indeed....it does appear hard to beat the fast guys that didn't race last year.....he'll come around...but he is the first defending champ to not win a race this deep in the series..he also has RV and TC to keep him company when 7and 22 retire
Bangmyhead.................if you feel the need, please do!!!!!!
Trend Killer, are sure about no other past champ took over 7 races to win? If so, WOW! But, I'm thinking he's still in this thing somehow!! He was tiring out when Villo came on strong last year and I don't think he was expecting that. Just maybe he's saving the best for last??? We will see...... Daytona is my favorite, I can't wait!!!!!!!
2009 JS7 dnf'd round 1....25pts behind from the start and pretty much had to win every race from there on out....but he pulled it off and got the championship....can the Dunge pull it off?....we will see I guess....personally I hope Villomoto pulls it off...like RC he will start a fire and burn for years
I really can't believe that so many of you are still bit(h!ng and whining about something that will never change.
Enjoy the racing and the fact that it's the BEST we have had in years....
Oh yeah, if all of you are all that why aren't you in the pits?
Hey RV's answers didn't just sound like a list of sponsors read off a quecard!
He should just say geez I got lucky instead of this riding smart crap. He was doing the best he could on the night which wasn't quick enough.
Thank you amazinpete. You beat me to it
I've always liked RV but the more he talks (with a points lead), the more I start to root for someone to beat him. I'm rarely a fan of anyone that gets*****y on the mic before they actually win a title.
Guessing who is going to win this season is like flipping a coin. It's not easy any more. RV has had moments of looking immortal and so has James. Now Chad is looking to be getting way faster than he was the first few races. Can't imagine a better season than this if everyone keeps it clean and just plain races rather than try and slow the other guy down or block him.
I thought this was a RACE... In a race everyone starts at the same time and the person who crosses the finish line first wins. Thats was Poto did and he won the race, fair and square. No matter what happend during the race, he was the fist guy to cross the finish line. Quit whining about it. He beat Stewart and Reed, they all started at the same time and he finished first. End of story....
One interesting thing to note - Chad was quickest in Daytona practice last year while injured....before deciding not to ride at night. Not a huge 22 fan...but remember him looking super smooth. 25 deg. warmer this year than last should bring out the 'bike week girls' in droves. Saturday night should be awesome for all fans!
Some of you say some really goofy stuff. Villipoto was way off Bubba's pace? Is that why him and Dungey were right there to capitalize when the leaders took each other out. It was about a 4 second lead they had, which would mean that Villipoto was .2 seconds a lap off of the pace. I bet that was the difference that Bubba was making up in the whoops. Didn't ride smart? Riding within your limits on a tough night and not pushing too hard is riding smart. Maybe if James occasionally did that he wouldn't be as well known for crashing as he is for being fast. Villipoto didn't deserve to win? Anyone who really thinks that doesn't deserve to watch SX or MX. I don't care who wins the title and I like all of these guys different styles. There are 5 guys who could still win the title and they are all using different strategies, it's super interesting and the racing has been good. I just think people need to stop spewing hate about the top athletes in the sport we all love.
An Ugly Win is like an Ugly Baby.... you still gotta love it! haha Go RV, this racing is uh-mazing and we should just enjoy it. We all have a favorite obviously, but i'll put close racing before watching "my guy" check out and kill everybody. Loving the season, loving the racing, and cannot wait til OUTDOORS!! holy hell it's going to be awesome!! Inside The Moto starts tonight also.. fuel channel.. check you time slot! if you dont' watch that show you need to!!
Nikola - True that!!! And when you watch the start of the race, RV & RD were proabably 4-6 seconds behind from the get go.... JS & CR blitzed around the first few turns and then things settled down. The lap times were all pretty close and no rider was "clearly" faster than the other. 0.02 a lap faster or slower is nothing.....Races are races and that was a race. Dungey isnt the "fastest" guy and he won two titles last year, so why all the harping on RV if he wasnt as fast as the leaders? RV was pretty much on pace with 7 & 22 and came off a crappy week in Houston with his fenderless ride.... Also, I dont think "hate" is the word to use for the majority of us, maybe some guys on here actually "hate"but they are assclowns anyway...As a former racer, I have much respect for all these guys....they all have flaws, some more than others, but they are all talented and I personally cant wait for the races when they are live on SPEED....Couple beers, 55" HDTV and I am all set.....next best thing to being there in person!!! GO RV!!
Thats right, GO RV2!!
This was a great race, RV was off the pace by around 4 seconds, those 4 seconds happened in the first 2 laps of the race and he couldn't make them up. Oh well, it's not like the fastest man on the planet was going any faster, still 4 seconds ahead, and could not outrun CR22. When making these comments, imagine standing with a group of people with these riders included - Would you make the same comments as you do hidden behind a key board? These guys are amazing, enjoy the show.
Villo rode smart but sounded dumb on the podium he did state it was a gift which is correct that being said the top 4 where on it and kept pace but couldn't make up ground awesome race regardless. Hope we see more of this! Nothing against RV2 to but he is my 4th favorite love seeing James speed, love CRs comeback Liked RD since he first started. What a killer season!
b-kr RV was busy packing his silencer with dirt?? RD had a few crashes last year as well, RV just had some bad luck on that one IMO, How many times you see that happen?? RD cartwheeled his bike alos but got lucky nothing happen, RV did not get lucky and it hurt him. Luck is a BIG part of it.
ride4ever ... LOL You seem to be making lots of excuses for RD... seems to go aganst your post NO?? Not disin RD either but You must say It don't look good to have NO win's at this point. He lead one and got passed and droped by RV and JS. He sounds like he is giving it his all so not sure what to say. I hope to see him, RV, JS, CR and TC running 1-5 this sat thats all I know.
Daytona's kind of a race in a different class from the "real" Supercross races. Even though it might shake up the points, the races that follow will more realistically flesh out the champion.
I'd like to see more Reed/Stewart battles. That was funny as hell! You've got to admit, that little battle got everybody excited, and look at all the comments! Reed singlehandedly fired up the entire MX community! Go Reed! Show Stewart and his Jesse-Jackson-screaming, arm-windmilling, that's-an-outrage-looking dad what a real battle looks like! I'm sure Stewart Sr. was trying to intimidate you during the week to try to make you cower down to James Stewart and let him have a 10 foot wide berth, but look at all the riders he's stuffed and knocked down as he rode with that "gibs me dat" Al Sharpton attitude. Give him hell, Chad!
"I WILL PREDICT POTO,DUNGEY CRASH, AND CARNARD WILL TOP THREE"
Nice try, but Dungey doesn't crash. Except for that one time when he hit Windham last year. And then a few rounds later when Windham was beating his pasty ass into the dirt. And sometimes in practice. I'd like to see him win, but I don't know if it's happening any time soon. With a great start, maybe.
Never count out Dungey, other than that fluke chain derailment he is very good at avoiding all the crazy mishaps that come along with racing motocross/supercross. His recent results are showing this consistency while everyone else has their typical up's and down's. I'm not a big RD fan and he's apparently off pace from the leaders. But, people can say he doesn't deserve titles all they want but if he were to pull off this championship (unlikely) by being the only guy to keep his sh!t together the whole series then he deserves the title as much as the next guy. I really want to see him break out and win a few races now.