Racer X Online - Motocross & Supercross NewsRacer X Online

  • Subscribe Now
  • Latest
  • Features
  • Breaking News

Racer X Online - Motocross & Supercross NewsRacer X Online

  • One Click Sign-In

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    OR

    Sign in with your username and password

    • Sign In
  • Features
    • 10 Things
    • 30 Greatest AMA Motocrossers
    • 3 on 3
    • 250 Words
    • 450 Words
    • Between the Motos
    • Breakdown
    • Deals of the Week
    • GNCC Report
    • Great Battles
    • How to Watch
    • Injury Report
    • Insight
    • In the Mag, On the Web
    • Lockdown Diaries
    • Longform
    • MXGP Race Reports
    • My Favorite Loretta Lynn's Moto
    • Next
    • Observations
    • On This Day in Moto
    • Open Mic
    • Privateer Profile
    • Race Day Feed
    • Racerhead
    • Racer X Awards
    • Racer X Redux
    • Rapid Reaxtion
    • RX Exhaust
    • Saturday Night Live
    • Staging Area
    • The Conversation
    • The List
    • The Moment
    • Things We Learned at the Ranch
    • Unphiltered
    • Wake-Up Call
    • Where Are They Now
  • Multimedia
    • Podcasts
    • Photo Galleries
    • The Weege Show
    • Racer X Films
    • Video
    • SX Preview Shows
    • Factory Tech Tip
    • MX Preview Shows
    • Behind The Bars
    • Racer X Rapid News
  • Races
    • Series Schedules
    • TV Schedules
    • Results
    • Champions
    • Teams
    • 2021 Numbers
  • Results
    • Points Standings
    • Race Results
    • Riders
    • The Vault
    • Loretta Lynn's Vault
  • The Mag
    • Customer Care
    • Digital Magazine Bookstand
    • Current Issue
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletter
    • Free Stickers
    • Store Locator
    • Sell Racer X
  • Shop
  • About Us
  • Table of Contents
  • Subscribe Now
  • Latest
  • Features
  • Breaking News
Results Archive
GNCC
Big Buck
Articles
Overall Results
  1. Grant Baylor
  2. Thad Duvall
  3. Josh Strang
Full Results
XC2 Pro Results
  1. Michael Witkowski
  2. Craig Delong
  3. Lyndon Snodgrass
Full Results
Supercross
Orlando 2
Articles
450SX Results
  1. Cooper Webb
  2. Marvin Musquin
  3. Justin Barcia
Full Results
250SX West Results
  1. Justin Cooper
  2. Cameron McAdoo
  3. Garrett Marchbanks
Full Results
Upcoming
GNCC
Wild Boar
Sat Mar 6
Articles
Upcoming
Supercross
Daytona
Sat Mar 6
Articles
Upcoming
Amateur
RCSX
Sun Mar 7
Articles
Upcoming
GNCC
The General
Sat Mar 13
Articles
Upcoming
Supercross
Arlington 1
Sat Mar 13
Articles
Full Schedule

Ryan Villopoto: 2006 AMA Motocross Lites Champion

September 13, 2006 10:29am
  • Home
  • Breaking News
  • Ryan Villopoto: 2006 AMA Motocross Lites Champion

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (September 13, 2006) -- Ryan Villopoto captured the 2006 AMA Toyota Motocross Lites Championship with a convincing 1-1 victory in the final round of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF Sunday at Glen Helen Raceway Park near San Bernardino, Calif.

Sunday’s victory was the sixth of the year for Villopoto, the 18-year-old from Poulsbo, Wash., who rides for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki team.

Ryan Villopoto

photo: Steve Bruhn

Villopoto won the title in his first full season in the championship. He was the 2005 AMA Sports Horizon Award winner, signifying the top amateur in the country.

Villopoto earned the championship after a season-long battle with Red Bull KTM rider Mike Alessi. The title was not decided until the final round of the year. Villopoto admitted he had high expectations for himself at the start of the 2006 AMA Motocross season:
“I came in expecting to win the championship,” he said. “I guess everyone comes in thinking that way. It just happened to work out for me.”

Villopoto said he enjoyed his rivalry with Alessi this season. He thinks that one of the best runs between them was at the last round.

“At Glen Helen we had the best race going on,” Villopoto said. “Everything was clean between both of us and it made for good racing.”

Winning the championship at such a young age has some pundits already comparing Villopoto to AMA Toyota Motocross Champion Ricky Carmichael. Villopoto loves to hear that kind of talk.

“I think it would be cool if I do some of the things Ricky has done over his career,” Villopoto admits. “I mean I’m sure anyone who races would love to follow in his footsteps.”

It was a rollercoaster ride for Villopoto during 2006. He trailed, then led and later trailed again in the standings, but he said he’s grateful that he ended up on top.

“I got off to a pretty decent start with a fifth at Hangtown and the win at Mt. Morris,” Villopoto said. “Then I had some bike problems at two of the rounds that set us back. Then Mike had some bike problems at Binghamton that helped me out. The back and forth in the championship didn’t bother me. I thought it was good for the fans.”

Villopoto will now turn his attention to the Motocross of Nations where he’s set to be partnered with Carmichael and James Stewart representing Team USA. However, Carmichael injured his shoulder at Glen Helen on Sunday and is currently questionable for the MXoN. If Carmichael is unable to ride an alternate will be named.

Villopoto is also planning to return with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki in the Motocross Lites class again next year to defend his championship.


Villopoto’s championship marked the 10th AMA Motocross Lites (formerly 125) title for Kawasaki. The manufacturer has won a remarkable eight of the last ten AMA Motocross Lites Championships.

  • Today is the Last Day to Vote in the Racer X/etnies Photography Contest Today is the Last Day to Vote in the Racer X/etnies Photography Contest 9:50am
  • David Vuillemin Confirms His 2007-'08 Plans David Vuillemin Confirms His 2007-'08 Plans 10:32am
Read Now
April 2021 Issue Now Available
Get Racer X on your iPhone
Check out all the exclusive content this month on any device!
Read Now
The April 2021 Digital Issue Availalbe Now

Motocross & Supercross News - Racer X Online

122 Vista Del Rio Drive, Morgantown, WV 26508 | 304-284-0084 | Contact Us
©1999 - 2021 Filter Publications LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
designed at: Website DesignImpulse Studios