AURORA, Ill. (May 3, 2013) – To preview this weekend’s Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, finals from Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium, the top three 450SX Class riders – Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, Rockstar Energy Racing’s Davi Millsaps and Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey – and the top 250 SX Class riders – GEICO Honda’s Wil Hahn and Eli Tomac and Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin and Ken Roczen – fielded questions from the media at the pre-race press conference.
After clinching his third consecutive 450SX Class Championship last weekend in Salt Lake City, Villopoto has his sights set to win the second Las Vegas Main Event of his career. Villopoto started the season in 16th place and staged the sport’s third-greatest comeback.
“This season started off on a bad note, but I rebounded and put in some great results,” said Villopoto. “Out of the three titles, this by far was the toughest championship to clinch. This sport is one of the hardest sports to be in. We’re constantly racing, so it gets tough to show up each weekend when everyone is counting on you. When it doesn’t go your way, it gets tough, but when it does, it’s the greatest feeling. I’m looking forward to going out on a high note this Saturday.”
The battle for second place will be the center of attention in the premier class as Dungey trails Millsaps by three points.
“This year was about proving to myself that I still have a fight left in me,” said Millsaps. “It’s nice to be in the same position I was in last year. I know I’m the underdog, but I’m going to give it all I got and hopefully be in front.”
“We put in a lot of hard work this year,” said Dungey. “The weeks get hard when you don’t win, but its all part of racing. It’s great to be back up top fighting for a spot in the top-3. The fans are in for some great racing on Saturday.”
In the Eastern Regional 250SX Class, Hahn, who has led the championship since the season opener, holds down a five-point lead over Musquin.
“Coming into this weekend, the only pressure I feel is from myself,” said Hahn. “I have a team that’s been through this, with multiple titles, so their helping me get through it. I have never been in the hunt for a title, so I’m just trying to enjoy every moment, and at the end of the day, I need to remember that we are out here to have fun.”
“I moved here from France with the goal to win races and championships, so here we are, very close to winning the title,” said Musquin. “I’m going out there tomorrow hoping to finish in the top spot and win my first championship in the United States.”
Last weekend in Salt Lake City, Tomac cut down Roczen’s 20-point advantage to just five points heading into tomorrow night.
“Last weekend I didn’t finish where I wanted to,” said Roczen. “I’ve put in some solid results this season and we are all still healthy, so I’m hoping to build off of my finishes this season and go for the win on Saturday.”
“Every race counts,” said Tomac. “I started off with a bunch of wins, then [it] all went downhill from there. It’s been up and down. I’m lucky enough to be in this position where I can go out and capitalize on great finishes and win a championship.”
