Rider Bio: Ryan Villopoto
Posted on February 16, 2012 by John.
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If you are a motocross fan who hasn't yet heard of Ryan Villopoto, it is quite possible that you have been living under a rock for the past decade or so. The renowned rider, who made his professional debut at the Broome-Tioga National in 2005, is currently one of the sport's most dominating forces - and perhaps of all time. He races under Team Manager Mike Fisher and the Monster Energy Kawasaki team, but that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to getting to know Ryan Villopoto.
Ryan Villopoto was born on August 13, 1988, in Fortuna, California. He has competed in the disciplines of motocross and supercross, and has excelled at both throughout his career. Villopto is currently racing in the 2012 AMA Supercross Series, and he will compete in this year's outdoor motocross season, as well.
Villopoto has had numerous career highlights in his illustrious tenure in the sport. He was named the 2006 AMA Supercross/Motocross Rookie of the Year - a well-deserved honor considering he won the AMA Motocross Lites Championship that same year. He went on to be selected as a member of Team USA in the 2006 Motocross of Nations, which took place in England. Team USA took first place in the event.
A long list of other championships, titles, and accomplishments belong to Villopoto, as well. In 2007 he won both the AMA West Supercross Lites Championship and the AMA National Motocross Lites Champion, as well as taking on another spot on Team USA's roster for the 2007 Motocross of Nations. Once again, Team USA won the event, giving Ryan his sixth major title in only two years in professional competition.
2008 was another successful year for Ryan Villopoto, as he helped Team USA to a victory in the Motocross of Nations for the third consecutive year. He scored a podium spot in 11 of 12 races during the 2008 Motocross Lites series, and he went on to become the 2008 AMA National Motocross Lites Champion.
Ryan Villopoto got off to another strong start in 2009, and he won the opening round of the outdoor motocross series. A knee injury cut his season short, but he did make his return in 2010. Unfortunately, a broken right tibia and fibula put an abrupt end to his 2010 season, as well.
The stored rider finally made a successful return in 2011. Villopoto dominated the majority of the races he entered, and went on to win the 2011 AMA National Supercross Championship, 2011 FIM Supercross World Championship, and the 2011 AMA National Motocross Champion. He was also a part of Team USA in the 2011 Motocross of Nations, where he helped bring home another first place victory for the country, and he won all three main events of the inaugural Monster Energy Cup - an event that landed him a prize of $1,000,000.
Villopoto is also excelling in the 2012 AMA Supercross Series. He has finished 1st in four main events, including both stops at Anaheim and a dramatic battle with Chad Reed in San Diego. He faces some tough competition in the remaining rounds, however, and he hasn't clinched the win just yet.
