Racer X ReduX: Steel City
Thursday, September 8, 2011 | 4:00 PM
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I remember it well from Loretta’s. For two years, Ryan Villopoto came to the Ranch ready to mix it up with the infallible Mike Alessi, but he failed each time. Villopoto was fast, but Alessi was perfect—better starts, fewer crashes, and a better bike and program.
Alessi put so many beat downs on Villopoto, that when a gang of MX super agents followed Davey Coombs around one night asking for scouting info, one of them said, “After all of this Alessi stuff, isn’t that Villopoto kid totally ruined mentally?”
Apparently not.
Ryan Dungey came out of the amateur ranks a little early, and when he did his interview rounds leading up to his 2006 debut at Millville, he didn’t project much confidence. A close friend of mine even said, “You can tell that mentally, the kid doesn’t have it.”
Yes, there were doubts for both of these riders. Their destiny was not preset—this wasn’t Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart, who were pretty much expected to (and did) steamroll everything as they advanced from amateur to pro.
Villopoto took home his first career 450 SX title in 2011, can he do the same outdoors?
Photo: Simon Cudby
Today? Hey, we can use hindsight to look all smart about the Ryans. Seems obvious that they were the next guys. But you can use hindsight to make any surprise look any less surprising. For example, when we were blowing up Chad Reed’s amazing season a month ago, it was easy to chalk it up to Reed being a proven champion, being the man, being awesome, whatever. But in October of last year he was very close to not even racing at all. Back then, if I sold shares in, “Reed will be the points leader outdoors in July against a healthy Villopoto and Dungey” it would have been a penny stock. And no one would have bought it.
Not sure how many people were buying RV and Dungey a few years back. Did they have a chance? Yes. But the ranks of next-gen stars of American Motocross were pretty thick.
After all, before Dungey, Suzuki had invested in two young riders who were much more proven than Dungey. Davi Millsaps and Broc Hepler were the future of Suzuki, and they slotted into the pro team in 2005, just in time to learn lessons from Carmichael. What could go wrong?
Millsaps never really gelled over there, though, especially outdoors, where he ended up with just a few podiums to show for his two seasons in the Lites class. He moved to Honda when his deal expired, but has still yet to win races or titles in the manner he was expected. Hepler had some wins and certainly showed the potential. Most have forgotten that at the Hangtown opener in 2005, Hepler raged through the pack to win the first Lites moto. That season would be the first without a Carmichael/Pastrana/Stewart super talent in the ranks, and Hepler’s first-moto win that day established him as the next guy.
It didn’t last. He crashed too much. But as Villopoto entered the pro ranks and started wining races early and often, Hepler was one of the few fast enough to run with him, and even beat him on occasion. But Hepler moved to Yamaha and suffered a massive concussion while testing before the 2007 season, and admits he never fully recovered from that. He’s now retired.
Of course, Villopoto would have to get through Alessi, his long time nemesis. When Villopoto’s first full outdoor tour began, in 2006, it looked like more of the same. Alessi won the ’06 Hangtown opener, with Villopoto taking second behind him in the first moto. Alessi quickly opened a huge points lead and a title looked like a lock. Instead, Villopoto did what doesn’t often happen in this sport. He shoved confidence and momentum right out the window and started going faster. Faster than Alessi. He reeled his old rival in and collected the 2006 title.
One of the Ryans will take home the 450 title at Pala on Saturday.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Ben Townley showed up healthy and ready in 2007, and he gave Villopoto all he could handle for most of the season. But RV eventually pulled ahead late in the year, and Townley, like Hepler, succumbed to a never-ending trail of injuries.
Both of the Ryans found a new rival in Jason Lawrence, a man who was as talented in his abilities to ride fast as he was in his abilities to get under the skin of his competition. J-Law was certainly a thorn in the side, but his program began to crumble, and now, like Hepler and Townley, he’s nowhere to be seen on the American motocross scene.
Once Villopoto moved to the big bikes and J-Law flamed out, Dungey appeared to have the 250 class to himself. Enter Christophe Pourcel, the Frenchman who was originally tabbed as the rival to Alessi and Villopoto. CP even showed up at Loretta’s once on 85s, but took a distant third to the American kids. He would prove to be a bigger threat later, such as when he won the Phoenix Supercross in 2007 and looked primed to challenge Villopoto for a West Lites SX Title. Unfortunately, he broke his leg the next weekend, and a massive injury late in the ’07 season nearly cost him his career.
He reemerged just in time to challenge Dungey in 2009, and we remember how close he came to scoring that championship. Pourcel knows he has the stuff to run with the Ryans, as he’s done it before, but his career has taken on a strange downward spiral that only now begins to be heading back up. But, that’s taking place over in Europe.
With Alessi, Millsaps, Hepler, Lawrence, Pourcel, and so many other potential “next big things” by the wayside, just two obstacles remained. And they were the two most established stars of all—James Stewart and Chad Reed.
Again, go back to that hindsight thing. I remember bench racing at the eve of the 2010 Monster Energy Supercross season, wondering if either Ryan would truly be able to step up to the pace of Stewart and Reed. And if you were counting votes, you’d be well short of 50 percent on yes. Many had risen through with expectations of challenging the Reed/Stewart combo, but most (except Carmichael, who came before them) failed. Why would these kids be any different?
To be fair, circumstances intervened. Injuries knocked Stewart and Reed from the 2010 season before you could say the words “confidence boost.” By the time they returned in 2011, both Ryans now truly felt they belonged at the top of the heap, and that’s why all four went at it tooth and nail for 17 weeks in supercross. Each of the four riders considered themselves the best in the game.
Villopoto got the better of them all in supercross. And Stewart elected not to race motocross, which left us with three. And Reed put up one hell of a fight. He could have retired, he could have taken a summer off, he could have cruised around. Instead, he gave the Ryans all the resistance he could muster. It’s worth noting that the day this championship slipped from his grasp, at Millville, he had won the first moto and had passed both Ryans on the first lap of moto two to take the lead. He was on the verge of fighting back their advances and beating them for this title. But it fizzled in spectacular fashion.
A pair of DNFs at Southwick ended Reed's championship hopes.
Photo: Carl Stone
A pair of DNFs at Southwick for Reed made it official. This one was finally going to come down to the Ryans. It was not predestined to end this way. A half dozen others had the talent to be where Dungey and Villopoto were heading into Steel City. But Alessi, Millsaps, Helper, Pourcel, Townley, Lawrence, Reed, and Stewart were not battling the Ryans for a title at Steel City. The Ryans had risen above. Reed and Stewart will be back to fight them again, but it’s not too early to search for the next rider who can challenge them, with Trey Canard certainly on top of that list.
As for the Ryans themselves, it now appears Villopoto has the upper hand. He beat Dungey in supercross and is on the verge of doing it outdoors. But it was so close in this series. In supercross, I never bought the argument that Dungey’s chain break at Anaheim cost him the title. He had 16 other races to prove that he was the man, and he only won one of them. At no point, really, did he prove he was riding better than Villopoto.
Outdoors, it has been different. He’s gotten the better of Villopoto as many times as Villopoto did him, and that makes his second-moto troubles from Freestone and Southwick loom large. Imagine if Villopoto was struggling to get his 2011 KX working right while staring down the barrel of a big points deficit to Dungey? Imagine if RV left Millville and Washougal behind Dungey on points? Things could have felt very different down in the pits.
Of course, Villopoto went and got what was in front of him, just like he did at supercross in Salt Lake City. He gives it everything he has, he positions himself to grab more if the competition offers it, and he never, ever, gives them anything back.
It’s a strategy that has powered him all the way to the top of the game.
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In supercross, I never bought the argument that Dungey’s chain break at Anaheim cost him the title. He had 16 other races to prove that he was the man, and he only won one of them. At no point, really, did he prove he was riding better than Villopoto......That says it all...... I picked RV way back in 06, Said he reminds me of RC the way he goes about things. He still does.
Nice write up Weege!
Chad Reed did suprise a lot of folks, me included. See what happens when you ride a Honda...One thing I do question, although Reed was strong at Milleville, can you really say he was going to just motor away with the win that second moto if he didnt crash because he passed guys on the opening lap, heck the first few turns not even a full lap before hitting the ground....RD and JB passed RV the first lap at Steel City, they didnt stay there... One thing we have learned this year....the race isnt over until its over and there is no guarentee....So reed could have won that moto...or RD or RV could have passed him back.....1 lap of a 30 minute moto is nothing....
Yer I remember RV in 06.. That take out move on 800 was priceless. I got to see him ride the MXoN that year to and I was more impressed watching him than JS7..
Trend Killer... Honda has not worked for anyone else sence RC left!! LOL I think Suz and Kaw are the bikes/teams to be on now adays. I do agree with you about Reed may not have won that moto at Milleville..Who Knows. But I know this the 2 DNF's at Southwick ( see what happens when you ride a Honda LOL) is not what ended Reeds title hopes, He was done long before that. You could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice after Milleville.
Reed seemed to do WAY better on the Suzuki than the Honda, because he won the Nationals on the Suzuki. RV is the man right now, period.
Funny Bill C... I love Honda, but have faith with Kawasaki too...Rode Kawi's on 80s and 125's until I jumped on the 94' CR250...that bike was awesome....Honda hasn't had a true contender since RC either, so now with Trey turning it up this year, I think they might find themselves in the win column more than since RC left....I do think RV is the man to beat for the next few years....unless JS7 can get back on it....which I kind of hope to see.....2011 may have been Reeds last hoorah....but you can never count anyone out...
I think Reed will be OK in SX but Outdoors he may be spoked now. I hope he gets that crash out of his head(the older you get the harder it is) though and Runs the nats next year because I believe JS will be doing the nats next year so it could be VERY cool to see 5 brands winning races!!.
YOUR BACK BD200!! Was starting to wonder. He won a LOT on the Honda as well and could have won the title too in a year that is a lot tougher then when he did win it on the suz don't forget.
Dungey didn't need the speed in SX. He was more consistent. However, w/ a DNF, he lost the title. Same w/ outdoors. Anyone who thinks RV deserves either title more than Dungey is hugging onto RV's testicles and needs to step back to appreciate the full picture. Dungey was the man this year, in both series, but was denied by Suzuki. And I'm not even a huge Dungey fan...he was just better.
Dak446 - outdoors, I think you have kind of an argument. kind of. In SX, I don't think so. yes with 15 or 18 more pts (if chain did not derail) the math says...but anyone who says RD 'was just better' in SX was nto paying attention - or is just a big RD fan. Outdoors, as I said above, you have an argument. He coudl be goign to Pala up 16 right now. probably woudl be wrapped for RD with that. But - RV might have done things differently, i.e. not settle for 4th in moto2 at Southwick. You can;t just add the pts back and say that woudl have been the outcome, cause guys may do x (or not do x) based on the amount they are trailing/leading.
Don't think there isn't any "testicle hugging" here/lol, both Dungey and Villopoto rode awesome this year. Do I think that Dungey had some misfortune come his way (indoors and out)? Sure, but that's what happens in racing. Even though both of them want to win badly, neither have anything to be ashamed of. They left it all out on the track and gave it their all. Neither of them half-assed it this year.
Well said Waldo. So sick of everyone and the what it's! Just because someone DNF's doesn't mean you simply add the points the ' should have had '. You change the outcome of one event and every result after that would also be different!
Example: if I could go back in time to yesterday and opt for the chicken burger rather than the chilli dog I ate my day today would've been much more bearable. Lol.
All you guys that think Dungey deserves this championship.... Here's a what if for ya! What if RV wasn't sickly looking and weak to start the season, what if his bike didn't suck for the first 9 rounds? I know what...... He'd already be the champ and could watch Pala from the tv booth.
Apples to oranges. Anyone who doesn't think he had Freestone locked up is smoking crack. That is an instant 25 points. Villopoto hasn't been riding "conservatively" and neither has Dungey. Sure, he may have ridden harder here or there, but there is still a 25pt deficit that is unattainable at the pace these guys are riding. Look at Dungey's podiums. He is THE MOST consistent guy in motocross right now (excluding mechanicals). Consistency wins championships, and barring his poor luck, Dungey is the rightful champion of both championships (especially outdoors)
The rightful champion is the one who wears the #1 plate. Thats racing, plain and simple.
Yep but that's what benchracing is for.
It's hard say that Villopoto didn't deserve the champiohsip more than Dungey. That guy has not been out in Outdoors for 2 seasons and it's tough to come back with that break. When RV comes back in H-town, they been struggling to find the right bike setup. Now that they got everything figured out, he was seem to be unstoppable. If Dungey want to win this championship, he should have done an extra effort rather than riding consistently. That pass by Villopoto in 1st moto of Steel City will tell you how much extra effort Villopoto put in to be in the position he was right now. Villopoto is also consistent throughout the season by finishing in the podium every rounds.
Dungey was getting the white flag at Freestone, when the last of his fuel boiled and vaporized. I was there and saw it go down. He kicked that thing at least 50-60 times.
He was out on Reed (in 2nd place) by over 20 seconds, because Reed went down in a corner earlier.
3rd place was way back, like 35-40 seconds.
That race and the 25 pts. was Dungeys, and its tough for him I'm sure as he looks back at this season. He is such a well grounded and focused kid that has a good program, and good family, that I believe he will get past what happened to his outdoor season, and come out swinging in 2012.
Even if I'm pulling for one last Hurrah from JS7 and after that all championships should go to Kyle Regal and Kyle Cunningham for the next couple years!!!! lol
Seriously, though it would be awsome if the two Ryans show became the two Kyles from Texas Show!!!
DAK446... If RD was the "MAN" as you put it he would have more than 1 SX win. Talk about nut huggers,, You must be an RV hater. RV KICKED RD ASS IN SX if you can't see that you are blind!!!
I was watching inside the moto last night....the episode where they really focus on Dungey's win streak and listening to Goose and Roger D talk they made him seem invincible....Great rides and great season no doubt, but RD had it prety easy last year outdoors....12+ moto wins I believe and only 4 or 5 this year....same with the SX, his win percentage went down by over 70%.....not knocking RD at all....I like the kid....but as the argument continues, he is fighting for titles this year and losing.....what ever the case....whether you ran out gas....crashed out....didnt make the main in SX, its a long season and series.....People make the arugument about Dungey winning the SX title had it not been for the chain.....Well, if you get out front and are not getting passed, that wouldnt have happned....RV's DNS at JAX was caused by someone running into him as well -25 pts.....Its racing.
..rightfully his? He deserves the title? C'mon, gimme a break! Woulda-coulda-shoulda. Racing is racing. Always has been. You dont get the championship because you 'deserve' it (never ever!). You get it from wanting it bad enough to go after it. Dungey did it in 2010. RV is doing it this year. RV has the fire! Always has. Unless he's injured this guy will continue to whoop some a**. I love when it comes down to the end of the year because this little guy steps it up in the very best way! Consistancy will keep you in thehunt but after that, you gotta really want it more than anybody else out there (last lap, last turn pass? Awesome!). You cant script that any better. That shows you who wants it right there! I have no time for whining over 'what could have been'. Please! Race a bike & you'll figure it out! Otherwise go post in Ladies Home Journal because you have no clue!
Well said 21motorules..... The SX DNF for RD is a perfict example, Don't forget RD got a point or two that night but RV got 0 on his bad night. After that DNF RD should have been going for wins...Insead he rode the same witch is great but not a win producing formula. RV rides to win, The Consistancy way works once in a wile but Guys like RV, JS, RC, MC ECT have shown that winning and going faster is the better formula.
Trend Killer also nailed it, RD left a LOT of points on the table because of passes he did not/ could not make thats what cost him the title. A DNF changes everything, The Other guys ride Dif too when a guy DNF's so they would have rode dif if he did not dnf.