Ryan Villopoto Leads Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki @ Hangtown

May 23, 2006, 5:51am

Villopoto finishes 2nd in first moto, then overcomes a second moto
crash to take 5th overall in first pro race ever at the legendary
Hangtown Classic

CARLSBAD, Calif., (May 22, 2006) – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/
Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, one of the preseason favorites to make
the overall podium in the AMA Lites class this summer, opened the
first moto of the season on a high note by indeed making the podium
(2nd).

The Washington native then overcame a first lap crash in the second
moto and made his way back from 27th to 10th, giving him a 5th place overall finish.

“I’m not happy at all with my mistake in the second moto,” said
Villopoto. “Pro Circuit and Kawasaki definitely gave me the fastest
bike out there and I was looking forward to making a run at (Mike)
Alessi for the overall. But things just didn’t turn out the way
I’d have liked.” Note: Villopoto only raced three Nationals last
year, scoring two top five finishes and making the podium at Glen Helen.

Also making the top ten overall for the Monster Energy-backed team
was Chris Gosselaar. ‘Lil Goose was on it in the second moto,
bringing home a 6th place finish. That, combined with another top ten
finish in the first moto, gave Gosselaar a 7th place overall finish
and earned him more Nationals points in one race than he scored all
last season.

“Pro Circuit and Kawasaki built me the fastest bike I’ve ever
ridden at the Nationals,” said Gosselaar, who’s been hampered a
bit lately by a lower leg injury. “This season’s going to be a
blast.”

Things didn’t go quite as well for Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/
Kawasaki’s Troy Adams and Grant Langston, both of who would finish down the charts due to various reason.

Villopoto, Gosselaar Adams and, possibly, Langston (wrist) return to
action this weekend for Round Two of the 2006 Toyota AMA Motocross Championship at High Point Raceway (Pa., May 28th).