Motocross
Villopoto continues winning streak in Toronto
The Kawasaki rider looking dominant in the Supercross standings after victorious night in Canada.
Ryan Villopoto continues winning streak in Toronto
© Kawasaki
Ryan Villopoto proved that he's just as potent north of the US/Canada border as south of it, taking both the Holeshot and the Main Event win at the Rogers Centre in Toronto to maintain his points advantage over Davi Millsaps.
Villopoto fired out of the gate at the start of the 450SX race to head the pack initially going into turn one, but it was TwoTwo Honda rider Chad Reed who ultimately moved into an early lead ahead of an all-star cast of Millsaps, Villopoto, Ryan Dungey and James Stewart.
But by the next lap, first Millsaps and then Villopoto had made their way past Reed to begin an epic chase that Millsaps initially looked to have under control.
By lap 11, though, Villopoto had forced his way past and into the lead as Ryan Dungey arrived on the scene to create a three-way dogfight for P1.
Ryan Dungey hunts down Villopoto
© Cudby S.
Once in front though, there was no stopping Villopoto, who opened up a two-second gap over Millsaps in the space of a lap as Dungey continued to lurk ominously in third.
Dungey’s luck was to run out, however, as he stalled his KTM and let Chad Reed slip past. The pair swapped positions again before the chequered flag dropped on the race, but Dungey was disappointed to miss out on the opportunity to challenge for a second – or even first – place finish.
“I made a bummer move,” he said after the race. “Ended up stalling it and couldn't do the triple, which was a lot of time lost. I had to regroup and ended up passing Chad back for third.
“We'll come back strong and see what we can pick up in the next couple weeks.”
With his winning streak now extended to four, however, it was once again Villopoto who was the hero of the night.
"I was warmed-up and ready to go,” said the 2012 champ. “I got a great start and Davi was riding unbelievable. We had a great race going and I was finally able to get around him and pull that little bit of a gap."
Musquin celebrates with his usual Heel Clicker
© Cudby S.
In the 250SX Eastern Regional Main Event, another winning streak was being extended as KTM-rider Marvin Musquin made it three on the trot.
However, with Wil Hahn continuing his season’s consistency to finish second in Toronto, he maintains his grip on the championship standings, with Musquin lying in second, just six points adrift.
"For sure, it feels so good," said Musquin after his victory. "The track is tough – it's so slippery. I don't really like it, but I guess I rode good... Thank you so much for the team in believing in me."
The riders will now take a rare and well-earned break for a weekend, before heading down to Houston for Round 13 of the series.
