VOL. 48 ISSUE 44 DECEMBER 13, 2011
It was a year to remember
for Ryan Villopoto.
P119
BY SHAN MOORE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIT PALMER
R
yan Villopoto's performance at the 2007 Motocross of Nations at Budds
Creek was one of the most remarkable feats in the history of
the sport. Riding a 250F against
the best 450 riders in the world,
the 19-year-old Kawasaki rider
from Washington ran away with
both his motos and led the US
squad to a resounding victory. At
that moment, the world took note
of Ryan Villopoto, and he was
subsequently tabbed as the heir
apparent to Ricky Carmichael's
motocross throne.
Two years later, when he graduated into the premiere division,
RV was pegged as one of the favorites and destined to win a Supercross title in his rookie year.
And though he won his share
of races, the next two seasons
would be plagued with injury and
illness preventing him from performing at his best, and sometimes not at all.
In 2010, Villopoto suffered
his most serious injury to date,
a broken leg at the St. Louis
Supercross, and it would take
nearly a year for the 23-year-old
to completely recover. However,
with the help of his new trainer
Aldon Baker, Villopoto fought
his way back from injury to post
an amazing season in 2011, taking the AMA Supercross title and
the outdoor 450 title. In addition,
he, once again, aided the U.S.
118-125 Villopoto Interview.indd 119
12/9/11 2:18 PM