Irvine, Calif. – As the final California stop of the Monster Energy AMASupercross, an FIM Championship came to a close, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s RyanVillopoto raced hard to finish sixth at Qualcomm Stadium. Villopoto’s ridemoves him into third in the season standings. In the 250SX class, MonsterEnergy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Tyla Rattray finished eighth just ahead of histeammate Martin Davalos in ninth. Jake Weimer missed the San Diego event afterfracturing two ribs in Anaheim last week.
Moving Up
Villopoto started the day strong in San Diego, posting the fastest qualifying time in practice and then earning the heat race win with a strong pass for the lead on the second lap. In the main event, Villopoto hit another rider on the start and after the first two turns was shuffled back in the field. After working his way up to fourth on the difficult track, a small mistake cost him two positions.
“Tonight was a frustrating result,” said Villopoto. “It was difficult to pass guys out there and once I got behind early, I had to work hard to get around them. The track was very one-lined so you had to pick your spots to get make passes.”
Steady Race
Rattray came to San Diego looking to reclaim his supercross form from 2012. The South African rider showed a steely demeanor as he tried to move up during the 15-lap 250SX main event. After getting off the starting gate in a decent position, Rattray rode a steady race finishing in eighth place.
“It was really tough to pass tonight,” said Rattray. “You really had to be on the guy in front of you to get by. I got a pretty good jump on the start, but I was on the outside and I couldn’t get into the position I needed to be in. There were a couple of crashes on the first lap in rhythm lane and near the whoops. It was carnage at the beginning. I came away with an eighth place finish, that’s not great, but I feel my riding has gotten better.”
Remaining Focused
Davalos had a strong afternoon in qualifying practice and then put on a show during his heat race to earn a victory. In the main event, he got a good start but in the first rhythm lane he went down and had to rejoin the race in last place. On the tight, one-lined track, Davalos put on a show moving up through the field to finish ninth.
“I came up short in the rhythm section on the first lap and crashed by myself,” said Davalos. “All day I was riding really aggressive and putting in good laps, but in the main event I wasn’t as aggressive and it was tough for me.”
On the DL
At Anaheim last weekend, Weimer was involved in a first lap crash and was hit by another rider. After visits to the doctor this week, it was determined Weimer fractured two ribs. He will continue to be evaluated and his status is uncertain for Dallas next week.
Spring Break
As the supercross series heads East, a new crop of 250SX riders will be under the tent for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team. Dean Wilson, Darryn Durham and Justin Hill will start their 2013 campaigns at Cowboys Stadium near Dallas next week.
Results
Monster Energy AMA Supercross – Round 6
Qualcomm Stadium – San Diego, Calif.
February 9, 2013
Western Regional 250SX Main Event
1. Eli Tomac,. Honda
2. Ken Roczen,, KTM
3. Jason Anderson, Suzuki
4. Austin Politelli,., Honda
5. Kyle Cunningham, Yamaha
6. Travis Baker, Yamaha
7. Zach Osborne, Honda
8. TYLA RATTRAY, MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI
9. MARTIN DAVALOS, MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI
10. Jessy Nelson, Honda
Western Regional 250SX Points Standings
1. Ken Roczen, KTM, 138
2. Eli Tomac, Honda, 121
3. Cole Seely, Honda, 95
4. Jason Anderson, Suzuki, 88
5. Kyle Cunningham, Yamaha, 83
6. MARTIN DAVALOS, MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 82
7. Zach Osborne, Honda, 82
8. Joey Savatgy,., KTM, 62
9. Christian Craig, Honda, 62
10. Jessy Nelson, 60
11.TYLA RATTRAY, MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 58
450SX Main Event
1. Davi Millsaps, Suzuki
2. Justin Barcia,, Honda
3. Ryan Dungey,, KTM
4. James Stewart, Suzuki
5. Chad Reed, Honda
6. RYAN VILLOPOTO, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
7. Justin Brayton, Yamaha
8. Trey Canard, Honda
9. Andrew Short, Honda
10. Mike Alessi, Suzuki
450SX Points Standings
1. Davi Millsaps, Suzuki, 132
2. Ryan Dungey, KTM, 113
3. RYAN VILLOPOTO, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 105
4. Trey Canard,, Honda, 105
5. Chad Reed, Honda, 97
6. Justin Barcia, Honda, 83
7. Andrew Short, Honda, 83
8. James Stewart, Suzuki, 74
9. Justin Brayton, Yamaha, 67
10. Broc Tickle, Suzuki, 57
11. JAKE WEIMER, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 48
