Villopoto, Barcia climb to the top of the podium in Toronto
3/14/2010
Story and photos by Shan Moore
In front of a crowd of over 42,000 fans in Toronto’s Rogers Centre, Ryan Villopoto (above) passed Trey Canard on the opening lap of the main event and rode to his second win in a row in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series. The win was Villopto’s fifth of the season and moved him another three points closer to the Rockstar Makita Suzuki-backed Ryan Dungey in the series points chase and gave him momentum heading into next week’s race when the series will make its debut in the new Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
“This was a good win,” said Villopoto. “I knew I needed to get by Canard as quick as possible. Trey’s riding really well and it makes it hard to pass him so I knew I had to do it right away.”
Villopoto got by Canard (right) quickly, passing the Red Bull Honda rider early in the 20-lap final. Once in the lead, Villopoto immediately started pulling a gap while Dungey started pushing Canard for second. On lap six, Dungey dropped Canard to third and the top three were set for the rest of the race.
At the finish, Dungey led Canard across the line with almost 27 seconds to spare.
“I really took too long getting into second and Villopoto got away,” said Dungey, who gained considerable time on Villopoto during the final five laps. “But this is something we can improve on and carry into the next race.”
With seven races to go in the series, Dungey still holds a 17-point lead over Villopoto.
Canard’s third marked his third-straight podium. He credited his holeshot for putting him in position to claim the spot.
“My start was awesome,” said Canard. “That was a huge key to my success. I tried my best to stay with those guys, but I can’t be bummed with third.”
Valli Motosports Yamaha’s Ivan Tedesco took advantage of a crash on lap 14 by Honda’s Davi MIllsaps to finish fourth, while GEICO Powersports Honda’s Kevin Windham finished fifth. San Manuel Yamaha’s Josh Hill took six, with TiLube/Kawasaki’s Nick Wey in seventh and Rockstar Energy Suzuki’s Tommy Hahn in eighth.
In the AMA Supercross Lites race, Justin Barcia (left, No. 17) became just the second different winner this season in the Eastern Region after grabbing the Spike Holeshot Award and leading all 15 laps of the main event. Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Austin Stroupe, of Lincolnton, Fla., kept Barcia honest throughout the race by running a close second and went on to garner his fourth consecutive runner-up finish. The battle for third was close between Pourcel and his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammate and Canadian native Dean Wilson, of San Jacinto, Calif., but the defending Eastern Regional Champion was able to secure the third and final spot on the podium.
“(This win) means everything to me,” exclaimed Barcia. “I really want to thank my mom and dad and my team, GEICO Powersports Honda. All these fans here were cheering me on so thanks a lot to everyone. It’s an incredible feeling, I’ve been trying so hard all year. This definitely ranks at the top of my list as far as accomplishments and I feel to lucky to have such a great team behind me.”
Pourcel leads Stroupe by seven points in the AMA Supercross Lites Eastern Regional Championship.
AMA Supercross Class Results: Toronto
- Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
- Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda
- Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
- Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda
- Josh Hill, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha
- Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
- Tommy Hahn, Alvord, Texas, Suzuki
- Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
- Matt Boni, Geneva, Fla., Honda
AMA Supercross Class Season Standings
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 214
- Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 197
- Josh Hill, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha, 177
- Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 152
- Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 147
- Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 136
- Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 135
- Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 113
- Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha, 92
- Tommy Hahn, Alvord, Texas, Suzuki, 89
Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results: Toronto
- Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda
- Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Suzuki
- Christophe Pourcel, Groveland, Fla., Kawasaki
- Dean Wilson, San Jacinto, Calif., Kawasaki
- Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., Yamaha
- Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda
- Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Texas, Honda
- Troy Adams, Homosassa, Fla., Suzuki
- Mike Willard, Newark, Ohio, Honda
- Nico Izzi, Albany, Ga., Yamaha
Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
- Christophe Pourcel, Groveland, Fla., Kawasaki, 95
- Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Suzuki, 88
- Dean Wilson, San Jacinto, Calif., Kawasaki, 71
- Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda, 65
- Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 64
- Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., Yamaha, 55
- Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Suzuki, 46
- Nico Izzi, Albany, Ga., Yamaha, 41
- Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Texas, Honda, 40
- Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 39
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