As we reported, Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto was a shoe-in to clinch his fourth straight Monster Energy Supercross title this year. Well, by winning last weekend in New Jersey, Villopoto accomplished just that … one race early. The final round is next weekend in Las Vegas.
Villopoto is racking up quite an impressive set of career statistics. This supercross crown is Villopoto’s ninth National title. In the comments section below, can a reader identify any other riders in AMA history that have more than nine National titles?
Here is a press release from Monster Energy concerning Villopoto’s accomplishment:
Irvine, Calif. (April 26, 2014) – Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto made history in the shadow of the New York City skyline as Monster Energy Supercross celebrated it’s inaugural visit to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., claiming his fourth-consecutive Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM Championship joining him with Jeremy McGrath as the only riders in history to win four straight titles.
“It feels great to wrap up my fourth championship in front of this crowd at MetLife Stadium,” said Villopoto. “Our goal coming into every season is to win the title and it is amazing accomplishing that goal year in and year out. We stayed consistent all year long and our hard work has paid off. To match the ‘King of Supercross’ and win four-straight championships is something I never imagined I would achieve.”
Saturday night’s main event win is his third-straight victory and his sixth of the season. Villopoto finished on the podium 11 times this season and only finished outside the top-five once. With one round remaining in the 2014 Monster Energy Supercross season, Villopoto will look to earn another victory at the series finale in Las Vegas.
He’s an awesome talent. Heck you have to respect him even without his nine titles just for just not wearing a flat brim.
“This supercross crown is Villopoto’s eighth National title. In the comments section below, can a reader identify any other riders in AMA history that have more than eight National titles?”
Yes I can: Villopoto for one, he has 9 national titles; 3x250MX, 2X450MX and 4x450MX.
Thanks for the correction … now correct the Wikipedia summary of Villopoto’s major titles, which omits RV’s 250 outdoor title in 2006.
No thanks. Wikipedia entries for MX athletes are such a mess that it would take a community effort to make something of them. I wouldn’t use such poorly referenced articles as sources. That being said, Villopoto’s article is one of the best and it summarises his _national_ titles in the lead paragraph and mentions all the titles in the text. And there isn’t apparent vandalism, unlike in the Carmichael article.
McGarth has 8. 7 sx and 1 mx.
RC has 15 I think. I’m not counting East/West SX titles in that. RC also has the 2 perfect outdoor seasons!
And 150 AMA wins total. Geez….no wonder they call him the GOAT!
But it’s my understanding only McGrath & Villopoto have won 4 consecutive titles in a row. As far as SX wins Stewart is 2nd only to McGrath, I believe.
The 4 SX in a row is correct. RC took off an SX season to get his knee fixed for the outdoors.
Now, maybe Villopoto will take off the outdoors to get his knee fixed, so he can win 5 SX titles in a row.