hor rider Ryan Villopoto rocked the Motocross world in 2006 by winning the AMA National Motocross Lites Championship against one of the strongest fields of riders in history. The strongest and the fastest turned out to be Villopoto himself as Ryan went on to be part of the winning U.S. Motocross Des Nations team last year. But the teenager from Poulsbo, Washington has only just started his professional career of championship titles. In fact, Villopoto has already laid claim to an AMA title early in 2007, by clinching the first major points chase of the season, the AMA Supercross Lites West Championship.
     This marks the first Supercross title for Villopoto and proves he is not a “Motocross only” talent. Villopoto was nearly unstoppable in the Lites West series this year. He won all but a single race en route to the championship and wrapped up the title with one race remaining.
     Despite his youth, Villopoto is a media magnet, well spoken and generous in victory. He almost always credits his accomplishments to his team and sponsors.
     “I can’t thank my team enough for what they’ve done for me,” Villopoto said. “It helps to have the best team in the series behind you. I don’t think it has set in yet, but I have worked hard for this. It’s definitely something that I want to continue to do. I think that my consistency has paid off and that’s why I was able to win the championship a race early. You have to be consistent especially with only eight races. Outdoors is a little different because you have room for error.”
     Villopoto won the opening round of the series and never lost the points lead. He was only tied briefly when his Team Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammate Christophe Pourcel earned the victory at round two in Phoenix. But Villopoto quickly responded with another win at the next round and never looked back on his march to the championship.
It is just the beginning of the season, but already looks like yet another successful year for Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki. The team made a rare sweep of the podium in Phoenix with teammates Pourcel, Villopoto and Chris Gosselaar finishing one-two-three at Chase Field on Jan. 13. Villopoto’s 2007 title win marked the fifth straight AMA Supercross Lites West championship for Kawasaki and their 11th title in the series.
     It is also just the beginning of the season for 18-year-old Villopoto who says he will now focus his attention on defending his AMA Motocross Lites Championship. “I’ll practice Supercross again for a few weeks just before the annual Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Lites Shootout at the Las Vegas Supercross in May,” said Villopoto. “I’d really like to win that event to finish off the Supercross season and start the Motocross series on a high note. So we’re going to keep my Supercross Kawasaki just the way it is and save it for that race.”
     Villopoto’s factory Kawasaki is beautiful. Built and prepped by Pro Circuit and mechanic Jon Mitcheff, the KX250F is rumored to put out 45 horsepower. Every nut and bolt, pegs, exhaust component and part that can be is either titanium or carbon fiber. Works suspension and linkage hook up to wheels with works magnesium hubs. The bike is totally trick front to back; it’s no wonder that Villopoto loves to race this machine.
     “My biggest asset on the track is my Kawasaki,” said Villopoto. “I think I was able to take this championship because I’ve got good speed in the corners and through the whoops and I’ve got the best bike on the track.”
     So, how does an 18-year-old champion plan for the future? Villopoto just plans to stay focused on motorcycle racing. “I’m just working hard testing and training because that’s what it takes to run up front,” said Ryan. “I plan to go for the Supercross Lites East Championship next year and go for another Motocross Lites title, then maybe I’ll move up and I’ll be racing against James Stewart and Chad Reed. I’ve always looked up to Jeremy McGrath. He’s the guy I always wanted to watch when I was a kid and I want to win more Supercross and Motocross titles like he did during his career. I really enjoy racing and I want to keep this up for a long time.”
     We’d like to advise the riders in the Supercross class to watch out in 2009 because Ryan Villopoto will be 20 years old and moving up to the big bikes with a fist-full of Lites titles and a hunger for more championships. For the rest of this season, look for Villopoto to dominate the AMA National Motocross Lites Series as he defends his #1 plate. Then maybe he’ll go for another MX Des Nations title and then…who knows? It’s only just the beginning of a great career.

Ryan Villopoto clinched the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Lites West Championship in San Diego. This was Villopoto’s first Supercross title, and the fifth straight Lites West title for the powerhouse Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team. Steve Bruhn photo