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Saturday, September 3, 2011 | 11:20 PM
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PrintDean Wilson Secures First-Career Professional Title
with 250 Class Win at Steel City
Villopoto Extends Points Lead with Third Victory of 2011 Season
with 250 Class Win at Steel City
Villopoto Extends Points Lead with Third Victory of 2011 Season
DELMONT, Pa. (September 3, 2011) - Thousands of fans lined the fences surrounding Delmont's Steel City Raceway on Saturday, as the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship celebrated Labor Day Weekend with the Steel City Motocross National. The penultimate round of the 12-race season featured stellar battles throughout the day, and following two grueling 250 Class motos, the first champion of the 2011 season was crowned, as Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Dean Wilson, of Scotland, posted a 1-1 moto sweep, to take his second win of the season, and secure his first-career professional title. In the 450 Class, Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash., raced to his third win of the season with a perfect day of his own, extending his lead in the 450 Class standings.
In the opening 250 Class moto, Wilson assumed the top spot out of the gates, and never looked back. A slight challenge from GEICO Honda's Justin Bogle, of Cushing, Okla., kept Wilson honest early, but he eventually pulled away from the field to win by nearly 10 seconds.
In Moto 2, Wilson once again found himself at the front of the field early. However, GEICO Honda's Eli Tomac was eager to claim his first win of the 2011 season, and slipped by shortly thereafter. Tomac opened up a comfortable advantage over Wilson, but it wouldn't last long. On Lap 6, Wilson erased the deficit, re-passed Tomac, and effectively ran away from the competition, savoring the closing laps to become the 24th different 250 Class champion in AMA history, and just the third internationally-born rider.
"This is the greatest day to me," said Wilson, who statistically has been the best rider in the entire series this summer. "I went to sleep when I was young dreaming about winning an outdoor championship. Now, it's a dream come true. I was feeling really good today. In the first moto, I got the holeshot, and in the second moto, I didn't get a good start, but I got lucky and found a hole that helped me pass a lot of people. It's just the greatest feeling. I went by the pits and saw on my pit board that I was the 2011 MX Champion, and it gave me goose bumps. I just went out there and rode the way I know how to. I actually didn't want to win it this weekend, because my parents aren't here to share it with me."
Tomac posted a pair of runner-up finishes to claim his best finish of the season with second overall, while Red Bull KTM's Marvin Musquin, of France, grabbed his first-career podium finish in third (3-3).
American Honda's Justin Barcia, of Monroe, N.Y., grabbed the early lead in the opening 450 Class moto, but was quickly passed by Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., prior to the completion of the first lap. Shortly thereafter, Villopoto made his way around Barcia, and set his sights on Dungey. The championship rivals were never separated by much more than a second throughout the 15-lap moto, with Dungey fending off any challenge Villopoto presented. As the pair took the white flag, they were the closest they had been the entire moto. That bike-length difference never changed, and as both riders approached lappers in the final corner, Villopoto made a move to the outside that allowed him to slip by Dungey, narrowly avoiding contact, and steal the moto win.
As the gate dropped on Moto 2, Dungey grabbed the holeshot, looking to get away from the field quickly. However, Villopoto squeezed his way into the lead for what was the winning pass. The Kawasaki rider quickly opened up a small gap by the completion of the first lap, and set sail. As Dungey looked to close in, he tipped the bike over, falling to third behind TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray Racing's Chad Reed, of Australia. Dungey was able to fight his way back into second, but it was too late to catch Villopoto, who led all 15 laps.
"You had to ride the track as hard as you could without making mistakes, which was really tough," said Villopoto. "Getting a win in one of the motos was crucial heading into Pala. I have a little breathing room which is nice, but I'm still going to have to go out there and race, just like everyone else. The last couple years haven't been the greatest, but it's nice to get in a full season. Now, we're almost done. Hopefully we have a good weekend at Pala, and wrap it up."
Dungey's 2-2 moto finishes landed him second overall, but also resulted a loss of six points in the championship. His Rockstar/Makita Suzuki teammate Brett Metcalfe, of Australia, rounded out the overall podium in third (3-4).
"It was a pretty tough and technical track, but good overall," said Dungey. "I just have to put the Suzuki up front next weekend. To go 1-1 would be great, but all I can ask for is the most from myself. It's a long series at 24 motos. Consistency is the key, and there is a lot of hard work that goes into it. You've got to make the most of your bad days and keep your head up. It's not over until it's over. You've got to have faith in that."
Villopoto's advantage over Dungey in the standings sits at 14 points with one round remaining.
In the Motorcycle-Superstore.com Women's Motocross Championship, DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha's Jessica Patterson, of Tallahassee, Fla., swept the day's motos to capture her fourth win of the season, and close the deficit she faces to American Honda's Ashley Fiolek, of St. Augustine, Fla., in the WMX Class standings. Fiolek posted 3-2 moto finishes for second overall, while Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda's Tarah Gieger, of Puerto Rico, finished third (2-3). Fiolek's lead over Patterson sits at 22 points heading into the season finale.
The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship concludes next weekend, on Saturday, September 10, from Pala, Calif. Pala Raceway, located just outside San Diego, will host the 2011 season finale, beginning at 4 p.m. EST.
Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship
Steel City Motocross National
Steel City Raceway - Delmont, Pa.
September 3, 2011
Round 11 of 12
450 Class (Moto Finish)
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki (1-1)
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki (2-2)
3. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki (3-4)
4. Chad Reed, Kurri Kurri, Australia, Honda (5-3)
5. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki (6-6)
6. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM (8-5)
7. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha (7-7)
8. Kyle Regal, Howell, Mich., Suzuki (9-8)
9. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Yamaha (11-10)
10. Michael Byrne, Rockhampton, Australia, Suzuki (13-9)
450 Class Championship Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki - 481
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki - 467
3. Chad Reed, Kurri Kurri, Australia, Honda - 402
4. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki - 342
5. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM - 272
6. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki - 251
7. Andrew Short, Colorado Springs, Colo., KTM - 196
8. Kevin Windham, Baton Rouge, La., Honda - 193
9. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha - 191
10. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha - 173
250 Class (Moto Finish) -
1. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Kawasaki (1-1)
2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (2-2)
3. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (3-3)
4. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki (4-4)
5. Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Yamaha (7-6)
6. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (5-8)
7. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda (6-10)
8. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda (10-7)
9. Martin Davalos, Quito, Ecuador, Suzuki (11-9)
10. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki (8-14)
250 Class Championship Standings
1. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Kawasaki - 488
2. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki - 436
3. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki - 427
4. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda - 290
5. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha - 283
6. Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Yamaha - 270
7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki - 236
8. Martin Davalos, Quito, Ecuador, Suzuki - 197
9. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda - 195
10. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Honda - 181
WMX Class (Moto Finish) -
1. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (1-1)
2. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda (3-2)
3. Tarah Gieger, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico., Honda (2-3)
4. Mariana Balbi, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Yamaha (5-4)
5. Jacqueline Strong, Cottonwood, Ariz., KTM (4-6)
6. Vicki Golden, El Cajon, Calif., Kawasaki (6-5)
7. Kasie Creson, Vallejo, Calif., Honda (8-7)
8. Sayaka Kaneshiro, Osaka, Japan, Suzuki (7-8)
9. Alexah Pearson, Sacramento, Calif., KTM (9-9)
10. Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, Mich., KTM (10-10)
WMX Class Standings
1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda - 321
2. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha - 299
3. Tarah Gieger, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico., Honda - 268
4. Jacqueline Strong, Cottonwood, Ariz., KTM - 195
5. Kasie Creson, Vallejo, Calif., Honda - 180
6. Vicki Golden, El Cajon, Calif., Kawasaki - 171
7. Marissa Markelon, Bridgeport, Conn., Yamaha - 168
8. Alexah Pearson, Sacramento, Calif., KTM - 161
9. Sayaka Kaneshiro, Osaka, Japan, Suzuki - 140
10. Lindsey Palmer, Albuquerque, N.M., Honda - 137
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Bummers for Dunge.. I had to pull for this Guy when Everyone dis'ed him for his 2010 CHAMPIONSHIP(S) ..If it weren't for running outta Fuel in Texas,,He'd be "The Man" as well..Great season anyway..and As HE said,,it ain't over til it's over..Go Dunge !!,,Heartbreak today,in Moto 1,I imagine THAT will be the "Turning point " article this week.. I hope He smokes Em,, at Pala. Buuurrraap, This IS Motocross,, wonder how James is doing?? zzzzz..
Dungey seemed to loose the supercross championship becasue of a derailed chain. and lost 25 points...seems to be the same here in the outdoors with 1 DNF. Its to bad this is motosports. and shit happens. This kid always seems to find a way to the top even with dramatic happenings throughout the season.
2011 AMA SUPERCROSS
VILLOPOTO: 6 wins (Champion)
DUNGEY: 1 win
2011 AMA MOTOCROSS
VILLOPOTO: 9 wins (Leader)
DUNGEY: 5 wins
and dungey is still better than villo? MORONS!!!
I would like to see RV spot the field 25 points then get win a title. Go RD!
RV did in SX..Remember Jacksonvile?? 0 points.
.Bottom line is the win count, RD is not even close to RV whitch shows RV is the Better/Faster guy.
BillC, "not even close" get your head out of you ass.
BillC = Douchebag
@Linkin, so Dungey had a derailed chain in supercross. RV had a DNS in supercross, so Dungey gets those points back from RV. So how is Dungey at a disadvantage?? Dungey only won one race, how is he better at supercross than RV?? RV won that title straight up period, whether you like to admit it or not. RV wins when he needs it. Iff he needed to I feel he can win about any race he needs to. You guys can be sore losers all you want, RV has more moto wins and had more wins easily over Dungey in supercross, he has proven he is the best out there..
Saying Dunge would be champ without the fuel issue is non rellevant. Chances are the series would be way different, REed might not have crashed at Millville, RV wouldnt have had his crash, it might not have rained at southwick etc. Also If Dunge had the points lead the pressure would be on him and his starts may have suffered or he would of cracked under the pressure and crashed himself out.
How does Villopoto or Dungey suck? I don't think any of you won the 2011 Supercross Championship did you? did you win 3 lites out door titles? Were you guys the first rookie to win both Supercross and Motocross titles in the same year? I don't think so.
I love how some of you guys speak in absolutes. If this hadn't happened, then it would be this way. Dick is right, so Dungey's bike didn't run out of gas at Texas, yes that would change everything. it would have changed how RD approached everything because he would have been in control of the series. RV would have approached it different, Reed. There are so many variables based on changing one incident, you just can't count on the outcome to be absolute. What if James would have came back for a race and got between the points leaders or even won? what if what if what if???? It is what it is. RD has rode great this year and had some competition to ride against as opposed to last year. RV has had a great year and really worked hard as well. Chad Reed was fast and inspirational also. who ever wins the title has totally earned it and entertained us at the same time. It's been a good year both indoors and out and I'm glad I got to see it. As much as I enjoyed RC's days, it's great to have the title up in the air to the final round instead of knowing out of the gate who pretty much was going to win.
Why does everyone keep mentioning that RD had no competition last year. If I recall correctly in SX those 2 traded wins back in forth until RV crashed under his own control on his own? So he crashes near the end of the SX series and then it doesn't count for RD? Ok...
As far as the SX title this year, there is a difference in my opinion, than having the bike break/fail then crashing during the race. What happened to RV during that SX race, he can't "blame" anyone, as it was a racing incident. (By the way the track design was dangerous) He got a lousy start, and a crash happened and he was involved. If he got a better start then he wouldn't have been involved most likely. In the LCQ it happened again trying to be to the first turn first. RD snapping a chain or running out of gas is not in his control.
I'm not taking anything away from RV, if he wins the chamionship he deserves it because he gained the most points. Thats how it goes. He has been the more aggressive rider, faster probably more times, but RD has been more consistant and has always had that way of riding. Unfortunately that consistency was interfered with the mechanical issues this year. RD at the end of both of these series, being down in points, really needed to come at these last few motos with a more aggressive approach. But with someone as fast as RV it might just not be enough.
The funny thing is if that if any of the guys complaining about RD had a mechanical DNF that took away enough points to basically cost them a series tiltle would be tooting a diferent horn.
And BIllC, "not even close", really? What series have you been watching this year?
Ether way it was a great year for us fans. But it would be nice to see the points closer at palla being the last race and all. Its over new year new contracts but it was fun. Ether Ryan is good to me but that said what hapend to the post race video somthing to look forward to suday morning. I for one like our guys in the both and same day racing is even better. As long as theres racing they can say what they want its just someones apenion enyway and you have yours. Switch blake for tomac hes got the confadence right now 3 diferent bikes who cares what #s just win team USA.
well i must say its been a great season for both supercross and motocross . i think we all should be greatful that we all could see most of it live ! i have been watching and racing many years, more than #16 and this is one of the best. we could nit pick every aspect from villopoto to dungey to fro to the weege and the one thing that we could all agree on is that we got to see it live and they all tried there best to perform. and for that i thank you all ! now i would like to see a little more drama next weekend so that the championship is determined by which ryan wins. they both rode hard all year and both had a few issues , some worse than others . it would be only fitting to see it end in a winner take all finish
I sure see the word douchebag thrown around a bunch. Then I see a bunch of guys arguing about things that never happened. Hmmm..... do you think there may be a correlation?
Douchebag may also = people who believe that arguing about what never happened has any value at all.
Seriously guys, quit embarrassing yourselves. It is racing and part of it is mechanical and nether one of these guys sucks. They where spinning 8+ seconds a lap faster times that 3rd place. Holy crap!
and another thing watch out world cause the usa has the 2 fastest riders on the planet !! the 3rd scares me a little as of late.
Villopoto versus Dungey...
Why does it have to be a flame war? Why can't people just enjoy the competition and the racing? We've been treated to the best SX season ever, and now one of the best MX seasons ever... and why? Because the talent level of these two men is amazing.
I don't think there has ever been two better riders at a given time in MX racing.
Dungey has totally put to rest the naysayers that questioned his titles last year, the kid is the real deal and a true champion...
Villopoto is an amazing talent and earned a hard SX title, and is on the verge of an MX title... if he pulls it off it will be earned all the way.
I've been rooting for RV all year, but I've never "hated" on Dungey, and I won't begrudge him if RV DNFs and loses this title.
These two guys are both brilliant BRILLIANT riders... that first moto on Saturday was breathtaking. I don't think I've ever seen two riders pushing so hard for so long without a single huge mistake... in the end it was just an awesome move by Villopoto in the last turn, wow, just amazing... I can't blame Dungey for not seeing that one coming, cuz RV pulled an Ace out of his pocket.
I can understand having your favorite rider, but why can't (some people) give credit where it is due. And for goodness sake, we really need a Racer-X comments section class for English 101 because some of the grammar and spelling here is beyond atrocious.
@Snowman, I agree, have been a huge RV fan even before he won his first race. And I have wanted him to win ever since. But I dont hate Dungey because of it. I actually defend Dungey on here alot, when guys say dumb stuff like Dungey isnt fast or something stupid. And I have defended Reed on here alot too, and I am not really a huge fan of his either, but I am not going to deny either of them the credit they deserve, as being a few of the fastest guys in the world. Its chilish and stupid really, to make excuses or say this guy sucks or that guy sucks, it makes us look like chilish redneck NASCAR fans. It has been a pretty great 2011 season for both supercross and motocross, and I love it when its close, we should all be happy with the exciting seasons. We havent had anything close like this for a while with RC dominating, we should all count our blessings.