Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto Wins Unadilla

July 18, 2006, 5:16am

That’s three wins in a row for the Lites class’ hottest racer!

CARLSBAD, Calif., (July 17, 2006) – Monster Energy-backed Ryan
Villopoto captured the overall Lites class title this past Sunday at
Unadilla and, in the process, took control of the overall points lead
over longtime rival Mike Alessi.

With the overall 2-1 win Villopoto now holds a three-point lead
(240-237) over Alessi. More importantly, Villopoto has now won three
consecutive races, four overall. Alessi has only managed to win one
race (Hangtown).

“I was real happy with the way things went at Unadilla,” said
Villopoto. “I didn’t get the greatest starts, but my Pro Circuit-
tuned Kawasaki KX250F was running unreal and allowed me to make up time on the guys ahead of me. This is the first time I’d raced
Unadilla and having a bike capable of handling those speeds and the
tough conditions was key. I’m having a blast and can’t wait to get
back after it this weekend at Thunder Valley.”

In the first moto Villopoto found himself in 5th place after the
first lap. Over the course of the next several laps Villopoto caught
and passed Andrew Short (Southwick overall winner), Andrew McFarlane and Josh Grant – both of whom have made the Lites class podium twice
this year.

In the second moto, which was one of the most exciting races of the
season, Villopoto got a better start (3rd) and had a four-way battle
for the lead with Josh Grant, Nathan Ramsey and Andrew Short.
Villopoto passed longtime Lites class racer Ramsey for 2nd place on
lap six, then reeled in and past Honda factory rider Short for the
lead on lap ten. This come-from-behind effort would award Villopoto
the overall win and give him the Lites class points lead for the
first time this season.

Teammate Troy Adams barely missed out on the top ten, going 13-9 for 11th overall.

The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team returns to action on the 2006 Toyota AMA Motocross Championship this weekend (July 23rd) when the tour stops at Thunder Valley in Lakewood, Colo.

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.” All the boyz racing for Pro
Circuit/Kawasaki dig it – so will you. On the ‘Net at
www.monsterenergy.com.