Despite a stellar eight-year career in which he has won at just about every track on the AMA National circuit, Villopoto had never earned an overall win in his home state of Washington, but Villopoto finally came through for a rousing victory in front of a partisan crowd at 33rd Annual Peterson CAT Washougal National on the loamy Washougal MX Park.
It wasn’t an easy win, as Villopoto had to battle back from a slow start to land a runner-up finish behind main title rival Ryan Dungey on the Red Bull KTM. Dungey bagged the holeshot and was never headed. Villiopoto, who was running outside the top five early had to fight hard to pass BTO Sports/KTM’s Andrew Short and Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Justin Barcia as the laps wore on before engaging in a back-and-forth battle with Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart for second place. Villopoto won that battle and charged after Dungey, who kept cool and held on for the moto win by a scant two seconds over Villopoto, with Stewart finishing third ahead of Barcia.
Toyota/JGR/Yamaha’s Josh Grant grabbed the holsehot to start moto two, but Dungey passed Grant before the end of lap one to take over the lead. Villopoto and Stewart were also charging, and they, too, passed Grant to chase after Dungey and Villopoto early. Villopoto then pulled clear of Stewart and began hounding Dungey before the moto was half over. Villopoto displayed a lot of patience before finally finding an opening that allowed him to pass Dungey, run away with the moto and secure a long overdue overall win via 2-1 moto finishes.
“It feels great to finally get the win here,” said Villopoto. “I could hear the fans all around the track. Both Ryan (Dungey) and James (Stewart) were riding great today so it means even more to have had to work for it. Our goal is always to win every weekend but this one there was definitely a little extra incentive.”
Dungey claimed second overall via his 1-2 moto finishes, while Stewart displayed a steadiness that has often eluded him during his stellar career to land on the podium for the second consecutive round via 3-3 moto finishes.
Villopoto’s win did not, however, add to his points lead over Dungey, who knows he must work harder to overcome Villpoto’s 42-point advantage.
“I am bummed to not take the overall but I am happy I did not lose any points to Ryan (Villopoto) today,” Dungey said. “I am working harder to get moto wins as I know I need them in order to close the point gap. I am looking forward to heading to Millville next weekend as it is my hometown track and I am hoping to do well in front of my local fans.”
Stewart remains fourth place in the series standings, behind Barcia. Muscle Milk Honda’s Trey Canard currently sits fifth in standings.
GEICO Honda rider Eli Tomac dominated the 250 Class at Washougal, sweeping both motos en route to his third overall victory of the season. Tomac’s GEICO Honda teammate Justin Bogle grabbed the holeshot and led the field early, but the flying Tomac was able to pass him for the lead and go on for the win. In moto two, another GEICO Honda rider, Wil Hahn, took the early lead, but a bobble on the opening lap allowed Bogle and then Tomac to take over the lead. Similar to Moto 1, Tomac put a comfortable cushion between himself and the rest of the field so secure the overall win.
The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship now heads east to Spring Creek Motocross Park in Millville, Minnesota, for round nine of the series. The race is scheduled for Saturday, July 27.
Washougal MX Park
Washougal, WA
Results: July 20, 2013 (Round 8 of 12)
450cc
1. Ryan Villopoto-Kaw/2-1
2. Ryan Dungey-KTM/1-2
3. James Stewart-Suz/3-3
4. Jake Weimer-Kaw/10-4
5. Mike Alessi-Suz/7-6
6. Andrew Short-KTM/6-9
7. Josh Grant-Yam/5-10
8. Chad Reed-Hon/9-7
9. Broc Tickle-Suz/13-5
10. Justin Barcia/Hon/4-17
450cc Points Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto-380
2. Ryan Dungey-338
3. Justin Barcia-271
4. James Stewart-224
5. Trey Canard-219
6. Mike Alessi-199
7. Andrew Short-164
8. Jake Weimer-160
9. Broc Tickle-159
10. Josh Grant-158
250cc
1. Eli Tomac-Hon/1-1
2. Ken Roczen-KTM/2-2
3. Marvin Musquin-KTM/3-4
4. Justin Bogle-Kaw/4-6
5. Justin Hill-Kaw/5-7
6. Zach Osborne-Hon/14-3
7. Jason Anderson-Suz/11-5
8. Martin Davalos-Kaw/7-9
9. Cole Seely-Hon/9-10
10. Adam Cianciarulo-Kaw/6-16
250cc Points Standings
1. Ken Roczen-356
2. Eli Tomac-355
3. Marvin Musquin-298
4. Blake Baggett-260
5. Zach Osborne-239
6. Jason Anderson-202
7. Justin Bogle-178
8. Kyle Cunningham-177
9. Jeremy Martin-171
10. Cooper Webb-159
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