Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto returned to his winning ways at round 7 of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship at RedBud MX in Buchanan, Michigan, Saturday. Villopoto posted a clean 1-1 moto sweep in the 450cc class to score his fourth overall victory of the season and extend his points lead over Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey to 42 points.
Villopoto overcame a slow start in the first moto but took over the lead on lap four after passing passing Dungey, James Stewart, Trey Canard and early leader Josh Grant. The second moto saw Villopoto get off the line third, behind Grant and Stewart, but he was able to pass both men and move into the lead by lap six to claim his 11th moto win of the season along with the overall win.
“We look forward to coming to RedBud for a reason,” Villopoto said. “The track is one of the best, and the racing proved that today. There were multiple lines, which allowed us to push the boundaries and ride at our full potential. On top of that, the fans are like no other. Aside from Motocross of Nations, the crowd at the podium was the biggest and craziest I’ve ever seen.”
In the 250cc class, Red Bull KTM rider Ken Roczen took his second overall victory of the season, going 2-1 on the day. While Geico Honda’s Eli Tomac pulled the holeshot and easily won the first moto, Roczen and teammate Marvin Musquin both got off to decent starts in the first moto; Musquin was third while Roczen was sixth. But Roczen quickly charged forward and soon found himself in a battle for second position with his teammate. The two battled for three laps before Roczen made the pass on Musquin to take the position.Tomac was long gone by then. Roczen finished second while Musquin held on for third.
Roczen fared better in the second moto, getting a decent start and then moving up to pass leader Zach Osborne by lap four. Roczen went on to lead the remaining laps of the race to take the win by 7 seconds over Tomac, and his 2-1 moto results earned him his second overall win of the season.
RedBud MX
Buchanan, MI
Results: January 6, 2013
450cc
1. Ryan Villopoto-Kaw/1-1
2. James Stewart-Suz/2-2
3. Josh Grant-Yam/3-5
4. Trey Canard-Hon/5-6
5. Justin Barcia-Hon/9-4
6. Justin Brayton-Yam/6-8
7. Malcolm Stewart-Hon/8-7
8. Andrew Short-KTM/4-12
9. Jake Weimer-Kaw/7-13
10. Broc Tickle-Suz/11-11
450cc Points Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto-333
2. Ryan Dungey-291
3. Justin Barcia-249
250cc
1. Ken Roczen-KTM/2-1
2. Eli Tomac-Hon/1-2
3. Jeremy Martin-Yam/4-3
4. Marvin Musquin-KTM/3-4
5. Zach Osborne-Hon/10-5
6. Kyle Cunningham-Yam/7-8
7. Cooper Webb-Yam/6-9
8. Cole Seely-Hon/5-11
9. Blake Baggett-Kaw/8-10
10. Justin Bogle-Hon/12-7
250cc Series Points Standings
1. Ken Roczen-312
2. Eli Tomac-305
3. Marvin Musquin-260
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