Ryan Villopoto facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ryan Villopoto |
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RV in 2013
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| Nationality |  American |
| Born | August 13, 1988 (age 36) Fortuna, California, U.S. |
| Motocross career | |
| Years active | 2005–2015 |
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Ryan Daniel Villopoto (born August 13, 1988) is an American former professional motocross and supercross racer. He competed in the AMA Motocross Championships from 2005 to 2014. Ryan is known as one of the best riders in the sport's history.
He won many championships during his career. These include four 450cc AMA Supercross titles. He also won two 450cc AMA Motocross championships. Ryan was a three-time 250cc AMA Motocross Champion. He also won one 250cc West Supercross title. Ryan was part of the winning USA team at the Motocross des Nations four times. He raced for the Kawasaki team his whole career. Ryan announced his retirement in January 2015.
Contents
Ryan's Racing Career
Supercross Highlights
2010 Season
In 2010, Ryan was leading a race in St. Louis. He had a big crash after a jump. Medical staff helped him off the track. He had broken bones in his right leg. This injury meant he had to stop racing for the rest of the 2010 season. He finished the year in 4th place overall.
2011 Season
Ryan came back strong in 2011. He won his first Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship. He won six races that season. This was more than any other rider. He also won the first-ever Monster Energy Cup. He won all three races to earn a US$1 million prize. Later that year, he also won the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.
2012 Season
Ryan continued his winning streak in 2012. He won his second AMA Supercross Championship. He secured the title with four races still to go. He won 9 out of 16 races that year.
2013 Season
Ryan won the 2013 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship. This was his third Supercross title in a row. This put him in a special group of riders. Only Bob Hannah, Jeremy McGrath, and Ricky Carmichael had won three straight titles before him. He also won the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship that year.
2014 Season
Ryan won his fourth straight Monster Energy Supercross championship in 2014. He won the title with one race left in the season. On March 8, 2014, he won the 450cc Final at Daytona. This was his fourth win at Daytona. He was close to Ricky Carmichael's record of five wins there. He also won races in Phoenix and Oakland. On April 5, 2014, he won in Houston. This brought his total Supercross wins to 38. This placed him 5th on the all-time wins list. On April 26, 2014, he won his 6th race of the season in New York. This was his 40th career win.
2015 Season
In 2015, Ryan decided to race in the FIM Motocross World Championship. He won the second race in Thailand. However, he had a crash in Italy. The injuries from this crash were worse than he first thought. He had to leave the series. In July, Ryan announced his retirement from racing.
Motocross des Nations Appearances
2006 Debut
At just 18 years old, Ryan raced in his first Motocross des Nations. He finished 3rd and 2nd in his races. This helped him win the MX2 class. It also secured his first team victory at this big event.
2007 Dominance
Ryan was amazing at the 2007 Motocross des Nations. It was held in Budd’s Creek, USA. He won both of his races (1st and 1st). This led him to win the MX2 class again. His team successfully defended the Chamberlin trophy.
2008 Victory
Ryan won his third Motocross des Nations in a row in 2008. He finished 1st and 10th in his races. This was enough to win the MX2 class.
2011 Return
After two years away due to injuries, Ryan returned in 2011. He finished 3rd and 1st in his races. This helped him win the open class. It also extended Team USA’s winning streak to seven.
Career Achievements
Championships Won
- 2006 MX Lites Champion
- 2007 AMA West SX Lites Champion
- 2007 MX Lites Champion
- 2008 MX Lites Champion
- 2011 AMA Supercross 450 Champion
- 2011 AMA 450 Motocross Champion
- 2011 Monster Energy Cup winner (1-1-1)
- 2012 AMA Supercross 450 Champion
- 2013 AMA Supercross 450 Champion
- 2013 AMA 450 Motocross Champion
- 2014 AMA Supercross 450 Champion
Total Career AMA Wins
- 11 Wins in 125/250 AMA Supercross (Regional)
- 20 Wins in 125/250 AMA Motocross
- 41 Wins in 250/450 AMA Supercross
- 12 Wins in 250/450 AMA Motocross
- 73 Total AMA Wins
- 1 Win in MXGP (2015)
