Both series points leaders sweep at the fabled New York motocross track and zero in on the 2013 titles in their respective classes…
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto and GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac came into the Built Ford Tough National at the Unadilla Motorsports Complex in New York today with substantial series points leads over their main rivals in their respective classes. When the day was over, both men scored 1-1 moto sweeps and extended their series leads even further.
Villopoto was the fastest 450cc qualifier in timed practice, and he continued to steamroll the competition by grabbing the holeshot at the start of the first 450cc moto. Red Bull factory KTM-mounted Dungey rounded the turn one in third place, right behind BTO Sports KTM’s Andrew Short but he quickly dispatched short, who then fell prey to the rejuvenated James Stewart in a whoop section on the first lap on the Team Yoshimura factory Suzuki.
Villopoto appeared relaxed and confidence out front as he clicked off laps in the two-minute 15-second range, including a blazing fast 2:12.854 on lap five, to pull away from Dungey and Stewart and build a comfortable 20.006-second margin of victory over Dungey. Stewart finished a solid third, 6.947 seconds behind Dungey, with Joe Gibbs Racing Yamaha’s Josh Grant passing Short late in the moto to secure fourth place.
Villopoto’s first moto-win put even more pressure on Dungey to make up points, and he needed to shine in moto two. But Villopoto was clearly in the groove as he pulled another holeshot to take the lead ahead of Muscle Milk Honda’s Justin Barcia. Dungey suffered a mediocre start and began the race in around 10th place, narrowly avoiding a first-turn pileup that collected Muscle Milk Honda’s Trey Canard, Joe Gibbs Racing Yamaha’s Justin Brayton, Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda’s Malcolm Stewart and Motoconcepts Racing Suzuki’s Mike Alessi. Then Stewart hit the deck in turn two and was also unable to continue.
Villopoto was once again smooth and fast on the choppy Unadilla track, amassing a 12.719-second lead to claim the moto win over runner-up Barcia and earn his ninth overall win of the season. while Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer fended off a late-race charge by Dungey for a solid third-place finish in the moto. Dungey had made his way past Andrew Short and Josh Grant to salvage fourth place, and his 2-4 moto finishes netted third overall, behind overall runner-up Barcia, who posted 4-2 moto finishes.
Villopoto’s win further extends his series points lead. He heads to the series’ penultimate round in Tooele, Utah, next week with a 44-point lead over Dungey, 463-419. A sweep there would secure him the 2013 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship regardless of where Dungey finishes. If Dungey gains points on Villopoto, he can extend the title battle to the series finale in Lake Elsinore, California, August 24.
Tomac extended his series points lead in the 250cc class with a handy win in the first moto at Unadilla, overcoming a four-rider battle for the lead to earn his fifth consecutive moto win over the last three events with a comfortable 18.732-second margin of victory over runner-up Jeremy Martin on the MyPlash/Metal Mulisha/Star Racing Yamaha. GEICO Honda’s Zach Osborne was third.
It was more of the same for Tomac in the second moto, as he came from sixth-place on the first lap and worked his way through the field, setting his sights on leader and main title rival Ken Roczen. Tomac passed the Red Bull KTM rider on lap 10 and spent the final five laps amassing a stout 9.103-second lead by the finish to claim his his third 1-1 sweep in as many rounds. Martin landed another podium finish in the moto, his 2-3 scores netting second overall, ahead of Roczen, who went 5-2.
Tomac’s win vaulted him even further ahead of Roczen in the points standings with just four motos remaining. He now leads Roczen, 455-416. The next round of the series will is scheduled for the new Miller Motorsports Park track in Tooele, Utah, August 17.
Unadilla MX
New Berlin, NY
Results: August 10, 2013
Round 10 of 12
450cc
1. Ryan Villopoto-Kaw/1-1
2. Justin Barcia-Hon/4-2
3. Ryan Dungey-KTM/2-4
4. Jake Weimer-Kaw/9-3
5. Josh Grant-Yam/5-5
6. Andrew Short-KTM/6-7
7. Brett Metcalfe-Yam/10-6
8. Brock Tickle-Suz/8-8
9. Justin Brayton-Yam/7-13
10. Phil Nicoletti-Yam/13-9
450cc Series Points Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto-463
2. Ryan Dungey-419
3. Justin Barcia-347
4. James Stewart-289
5. 5. Trey Canard-263
6. Andrew Short-220
7. Jake Weimer-216
8. Broc Tickle-209
9. Josh Grant-208
10. Mike Alessi-204
250cc
1. Eli Tomac-Hon/1-1
2. Jeremy Martin-Yam/2-3
3. Ken Roczen-KTM/5-2
4. Zach Osborne-Hon/3-6
5. Blake Baggett-Kaw/4-5
6. Justin Bogle-Hon/10-4
7. Will Hahn-Hon/6-8
8. Marvin Musquin-KTM/8-9
9. Cole Seely-Hon/9-10
10. Martin Davalos-Kaw/13-7
250cc Series Points Standings
1. Eli Tomac-455
2. Ken Roczen-416
3. Marvin Musquin-359
4. Blake Baggett-329
5. Zach Osborne-296
6. Jeremy Martin-249
7. Jason Anderson-248
8. Justin Bogle-238
9. Kyle Cunningham-204
10. Cole Seely-192
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