Villopoto and Townley Will Skip X Games

July 19, 2007, 3:44pm

IRVINE, Calif. (July 19, 2007) – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki riders Ryan Villopoto and Ben Townley will not compete in 2007 X Games in Los Angeles in order to keep their focus on the AMA Motocross Lites Championship series.

Villopoto and Townley are currently deadlocked atop the point standings with just six rounds remaining.

“Although we would really like to go the X Games, our main focus since the start of the year was to win AMA Championships,” said Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki Team Manager Mitch Payton.

Payton, who has directed his successful racing program to a record 21 AMA Supercross and Motocross titles said, “The points are tied and so many things can happen as we head down the stretch. We won both supercross titles and now we want to close out the season with the motocross championship.”

The two riders are tied at 263 points apiece as they prepare to close out the season racing six out of the next eight weekends, beginning with this weekend’s event in Lakewood, Colo.

“It’s almost like it’s a six race series now that we’re tied in points,” said Townley. “I think this battle will probably be decided in the final moto at the final race.”