Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto goes undefeated in California with a win at Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park
The following is a press release from Kawasaki:
Irvine, Calif. (August 26, 2013) – The 2013 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship came to a close Saturday in Lake Elsinore, Calif., as Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto added an exclamation point to his season by dominating both motos to earn his eighth overall 450cc victory with 18 total moto wins. Jake Weimer matched his best finish in fourth overall and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Tyla Rattray rounded out the top five. In the 250cc class, Blake Baggett was first to the checkered flag in moto two, but was later docked one position and finished ninth overall. Martin Davalos scored another top-10 finish in 10th followed by Justin Hill in 11th, Darryn Durham in 14th, and Adam Cianciarulo in 18th after sitting out the second moto.
With the championship already wrapped up, two-time champion Villopoto could have spent the weekend on the beach, but instead wanted to make sure no one doubted his dominance. Just like he did in at round one of the series at Hangtown, Villopoto scored another win to bookend the season, pushing through the 100-degree heat to win both motos convincingly. He captured eight overall victories over the 12-round series and chalked up 18 moto wins out of a possible 24.
“We had a great season which isn’t possible without my Monster Energy Kawasaki team,” Villopoto said. “We came in with a great setting and were able to adjust and continue to improve as the season went on. We had a couple off weekends, but we were able to break them down, learn from them and better ourselves the next weekend. That’s what makes a successful team.”
Weimer finished off the season with a great ride at Lake Elsinore as he fought forward to fourth overall. Coming from outside the top-10 in moto one, Weimer worked his way into eighth, but it was in the rough, triple digits conditions of the second moto where he was really impressive. Weimer picked off rider after rider as the 30-minute moto progressed and matched his best finish of the year in fourth. Weimer finished the season sixth overall in the championship.
“I’m really happy with today,” Weimer said. “These past few weeks we’ve been able to keep the ball rolling and finally find some consistency. It has been a tough season, but I’m excited we finished on a good note and can’t wait to carry this momentum into the off season and continue to progress.”
Although he did not have the season he would have liked, defending 250 class champion Baggett was looking to prove a point in Lake Elsinore. A crash kept him from the front in moto one, but he nearly grabbed the holeshot from the outside in moto two and quickly moved into the lead. The 2012 series champion led 14 laps and cruised to take his second moto win of the season, but following the race the race officials docked Baggett for jumping while the wheels-on-the-ground flag was displayed due to a rider down. He finished ninth on the day and fourth overall in the championship.
“It’s a bummer, but it happens,” Baggett said. “The flag was thrown just as I was approaching the jump so it’s just one of those things. I know I rode well and it was a good way to finish off the season.”
After a challenging outdoor season, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team finished off strong with Tyla Rattray finishing fifth overall while the 250 class overcame difficult track conditions and misfortune to all finish within the top 15 overall, with the exception of Cianciarulo who sat out the second moto due to injury.
After 17 Monster Energy Supercross rounds and 12 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross rounds, the Monster Energy Kawasaki riders are looking forward to the off-season. After a few weeks of down time, the riders will hit the supercross tracks to begin preparation for the Monster Energy Cup on October 19th at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.
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