1. Villopoto cruises to Unadilla victory
Press & Sun-Bulletin - Binghamton, N.Y.
Author:Jeff Matolka
Date:Aug 14, 2011
Start Page:D.1
Section:SPORTS
Text Word Count:1067
Document Text
Dominant day extends lead in motocross
By Jeff Matolka
Correspondent
NEW BERLIN -- Ryan Villopoto made his 23rd birthday one to remember
as he dominated the 450cc class at Unadilla Valley Sports Center in
New Berlin on Saturday in front of a record crowd of 28,240.
The overall win increased his series lead to seven points with three
races to go in the 12-round Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Championship.
It was a Ricky Carmichael-like performance for Villopoto, who was
dominant in his own right in the 250cc class, winning three straight
championships from 2006-2008.
Carmichael, who once won seven straight titles in the upper class,
often left the competition in the dust battling for second. Much was
the same for Villopoto on Saturday. In the first moto, Villopoto had
leads ranging from 10 to 12 seconds throughout the race despite
being in fifth after lap 1. He moved into second on the third lap
and would trail Monroe's Justin Barcia until lap 6. From there out,
Villopoto led the pack for the final 11 laps.
In the second moto, Villopoto won by a comfortable 8.5 seconds
despite being in fifth again after the first lap. This time it took
No. 2 Kawasaki only two laps to claim the lead. Villopoto led the
race for 26 out of the 34 laps between the two motos.
"Once I got off the start, it seemed pretty easy to get through the
group of riders," said Villopoto, who switched to a 2012 Kawasaki
model this past week because of a softer frame. "I don't know if it
was me or the new bike.
"We were struggling a little bit with the old bike, it was little
harsh," Villopoto said. "They were already riding these bikes in
Europe and the frame is softer -- not as rigid and a bit easier on
my body"
While Villopoto cruised to victory, Ryan Dungey and Barcia battled
it out for second in each of the motos. Barcia, who two weeks ago
had no idea he would be switching to the 450cc class, made an
impression in his 450 debut. Barcia did a test ride in California
and then received the call to move up for the race in New York.
"(Barcia) rode really good. I didn't think he could jump on the bike

2. right away, but it didn't really surprise," Villopoto said. "He has
rode on these bikes and he has the skills."
Barcia lead the first six laps in moto 1 and was a solid second
until near the end of lap 15 when Dungey passed him. But it was the
second moto battle between Dungey and Barcia that left the crowd
buzzing and a little animosity between the two riders.
Barcia took over second on lap 4, while Dungey moved in behind him
in third on lap 5. Dungey tried to pass Barcia several times on lap
16 before an altercation that forced Barcia off the track and
allowed Dungey to claim second place by a 12-second margin.
Barcia came off the jump and crossed over toward Dungey while in the
air, landing right next to him. Barcia pitched his bike away from
Dungey and wrecked before regaining third. The two had words shortly
after the race, and Dungey expounded on his feelings at the
post-race press conference.
"He's got to realize he is now racing with big boys, and there is no
time to play these little games," Dungey said of Barcia. "It's kind
of annoying, and he needs to grow up and have a little respect."
Barcia, on the other hand, left any blame on the track when asked
about what was said.
"(Dungey) might have had words, and I will leave it at that," Barcia
said.
Barcia took third in both motos, putting him into eighth with 181
points.
Villopoto came into this round of the Lucas Oil series with a
one-point lead over Dungey. By claiming his sixth and seventh moto
wins as well as his second overall, Villopoto pushed his season
points total to 391. Dungey is second with 384.
Dean Wilson, likewise, dominated the 250cc class. Wilson, who
claimed his overall win, led 30 of the 34 laps raced in the two
motos. He won each moto by nearly 10 seconds, increasing his season
points lead to 25 with three races left.
RESULTS
AMA NATIONALS
UNADILLA VALLEY SC
Saturday at New Berlin
ROUND 9 OF 12
450 Class (Moto Finish): 1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
(1-1); 2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki (2-2); 3.Justin
Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda (3-3); 4. Chad Reed, Kurri Kurri,
Australia, Honda (4-5); 5. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM
(7-4); 6. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki (5-6); 7. Justin
Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha (8-7); 8. Kyle Regal, Howell,
Mich., Suzuki (10-9); 9. Jimmy Albertson, San Diego, Calif., Yamaha
(12-11); 10. Jake Canada, Corona, Calif., Yamaha (11-14).
450 Class Championship Standings: 1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash.,

3. Kawasaki - 391; 2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki - 384;
3. Chad Reed, Kurri Kurri, Australia, Honda - 366; 4. Brett
Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki - 262; 5. Mike Alessi,
Victorville, Calif., KTM - 210; 6. Andrew Short, Colorado Springs,
Colo., KTM - 196; 7. Kevin Windham, Baton Rouge, La., Honda - 193;
8. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki - 190; 9. Davi Millsaps,
Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha - 173; 10. Tommy Hahn, Great Bend, Kan.,
Yamaha - 140.
250 Class (Moto Finish): 1. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Kawasaki
(1-1); 2. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (2-3); 3.
Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (5-2); 4. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo,
Texas, Yamaha (8-4); 5. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda (6-6);
6. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (7-8); 7. Martin Davalos,
Quito, Ecudaor, Suzuki (14-5); 8. Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg,
South Africa, Yamaha (4-16); 9. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda
(10-10); 10. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda (9-11).
250 Class Championship Standings: 1. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland,
Kawasaki - 396; 2. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki -
371; 3. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki - 353; 4. Kyle
Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha - 264; 5. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo.,
Honda - 239; 6. Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Yamaha
- 200; 7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki - 195; 8. Justin
Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda - 181; 9. Martin Davalos, Quito,
Ecuador, Suzuki - 175; 10. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Honda - 148.
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Abstract (Document Summary)
Ryan Villopoto made his 23rd birthday one to remember as he
dominated the 450cc class at Unadilla Valley Sports Center in New
Berlin on Saturday in front of a record crowd of 28,240. The overall
win increased his series lead to seven points with three races to go
in the 12-round Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Championship.