Ryan Villopoto facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ryan Villopoto |
|
|---|---|
RV in 2013
|
|
| Nationality |  American |
| Born | August 13, 1988 (age 36) Fortuna, California, U.S. |
| Motocross career | |
| Years active | 2005–2015 |
| Teams |
|
| Championships |
|
| Wins |
|
Ryan Daniel Villopoto, born on August 13, 1988, in Fortuna, California, is a famous American motocross and supercross racer. He raced professionally from 2005 to 2014. Ryan won many championships, including four 450cc AMA Supercross titles and two 450cc AMA Motocross titles. He also won three 250cc AMA Motocross championships and one 250cc West Supercross championship. Ryan was also part of the winning USA team at the Motocross des Nations in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2011.
Villopoto raced his entire career for the Kawasaki factory racing team. He competed in both supercross and outdoor motocross series. Ryan announced his retirement from supercross on January 3, 2015. This was on the opening day of the 2015 Monster Energy Supercross season. His trainer was Aldon Baker.
Contents
Ryan Villopoto's Racing Career
Supercross Highlights
2010 Season: A Tough Injury
During Round 14 of the 2010 season in St. Louis, Ryan Villopoto had a big crash. He was leading the race when he landed short on a triple jump. He flew off his bike and landed hard. His bike crashed into the jump and flipped over. Medical teams quickly helped him. They found that Ryan had broken his right tibia and fibula, which are bones in the lower leg. He needed surgery to fix them. Because of this injury, Ryan had to stop racing for the rest of the 2010 series. He finished the season in 4th place with 266 championship points.
2011 Season: First Big Wins
In 2011, Ryan Villopoto won his first Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship. He beat Chad Reed by just four points in the 17-race series. Ryan won six races that season, which was more than any other rider.
Later that year, he also won the first-ever Monster Energy Cup. He won all three heats, which earned him a huge US$1 million prize.
Ryan also had a great outdoor season in 2011. He finished the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship ahead of Ryan Dungey by 12 points, winning that title too.
2012 Season: Another Supercross Title
Ryan Villopoto continued his winning streak in 2012. He won his second AMA Supercross Championship. He secured the title with four races still left in the season. Ryan won 9 out of 16 races that year.
2013 Season: Making History
In 2013, Ryan Villopoto won the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship again. This was his third Supercross title in a row! This achievement put him in a very special group of riders. Only Bob Hannah, Jeremy McGrath, and Ricky Carmichael had won three or more Supercross titles in a row before him.
He also went on to win the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship that year.
2014 Season: Fourth Straight Championship
Ryan Villopoto made history in 2014 by winning his fourth straight Monster Energy Supercross championship. He clinched the title with one race still remaining in the series.
On March 8, 2014, Ryan won the 450cc Final at Daytona International Speedway. This was his fourth win at Daytona, bringing him very close to Ricky Carmichael's record of five wins there. He also won races in Phoenix and Oakland earlier in the Supercross season. On April 5, 2014, Ryan won the 450cc Main Event in Houston. This brought his total career Supercross wins to 38, placing him 5th on the all-time list. On April 26, 2014, Ryan dominated the Supercross race in New York, getting his sixth win of the season and 40th career win.
2015 Season: International Racing and Retirement
In 2015, Ryan Villopoto decided to race in the FIM Motocross World Championship. He won the second race of the series in Thailand. However, he had a crash in the Trentino GP. The injuries from this crash were worse than he first thought. Because of this, he had to withdraw from the series. In July 2015, Ryan announced his retirement from professional racing on his official website.
Motocross des Nations: Racing for Team USA
Ryan Villopoto was a key part of the USA team at the Motocross des Nations, an important international team race.
2006: First Victory
At just 18 years old, Ryan made his debut at the Motocross des Nations in 2006. He finished 3rd and 2nd in his races, which helped him win the MX2 class. This secured his first victory at this big event.
2007: Defending the Title
In 2007, the Motocross des Nations was held at Budd’s Creek, USA. Ryan Villopoto was amazing, winning both of his races (1st and 1st). This led him to win the MX2 class again and helped Team USA successfully defend the Chamberlin trophy.
2008: Three in a Row
Ryan Villopoto continued his success in 2008. He finished 1st and 10th in his races, winning the MX2 class. This was his third Motocross of Nations victory in a row!
2011: Return and Another Win
After missing two years due to injury, Ryan Villopoto returned to the Motocross des Nations in 2011. He finished 3rd and 1st in his races, winning the open class. This helped Team USA extend their winning streak to seven victories.
Career Achievements
Ryan Villopoto had an incredible career with many wins and championships.
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)
