Monster Energy’s Ryan Villopoto Rocks The AMA Lites Class in Dallas
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s rookie Supercross racers
notches his first career win – leading wire-to-wire at Dallas’
Texas Stadium
CARLSBAD, Calif., (April 24, 2006) – Foreshadowing what was to be a dominant performance in the AMA Lites class finals, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s rookie sensation Ryan Villopoto topped teammate Grant Langston in the first heat race and took that
“Monster” energy with him to the main, where he pulled the
holeshot and won going away.
“I pulled the holeshot in my heat and battled with Grant the whole
way,” said a pumped Villopoto following the Dallas race. “I wanted
to carry that momentum into main.”
The No. 51 bike of Villopoto led the entire AMA Lites class main
event. Langston, who would wind up on the podium in 3rd overall at
Dallas, got caught up with rival Andrew Short early in the race and
had to play catch up in order to make the podium.
“Andrew ran me up on the Tuff Blocks and after that I was surrounded by guys on all sides – which made it extremely tough to get back up towards the front,” said Langston. “It wasn’t an easy track to pass on and even when I had a clear track it seemed like there was nothing I could do with it.”
Langston, who trailed Short for the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross
Series Lites class overall lead by two points heading into Dallas, is
now four points back (140-136) with one race remaining (Seattle). The two will meet again for the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Lites Shoot Out in Vegas (May 6th).
Monster Factoid: Villopoto’s first-ever supercross win came at the
exact stadium – five years later – after Langston recorded his
first-ever supercross win!
This weekend Villopoto and Langston return to Villopoto’s hometown
of Seattle for Round 15 of the 2006 Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross
Series.
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team sponsors include: Parts
Unlimited, Thor, Scott, Maxima, Amp’d Mobile, KMC Wheels, Vans,
Bridgestone, Hinson Clutch, Components, Showa, The Garage People, Troy Lee Designs, Excel, Renthal, N-Style, Works Racing Parts, Twin Air, VP Racing Fuels, Athena, Motion Pro, DP Brakes, RK Racing Chain, UFO, Mechanix Wear, CTI2, Vertex, Alpinestars, PPG, Trek Bicycles, Imagine It Graphics.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it motocross, surf, skate,
snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy
more than anything these days. Check out all the flavors – Original
Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault and the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “Khaos.” Ryan Villopoto digs it – so
will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.