3-time Supercross champ sets out again in Anaheim



3-time Supercross champ sets out again in Anaheim

Reigning Supercross champion Ryan Villopoto races a Kawasaki KX450F.

Monster Energy AMA Supercross

Where: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, 2000 Gene Autry Way.

When: Doors open 12:30 p.m. for practice and qualifying; main event is 7 p.m.

Tickets: $20-$90 through Ticketmaster in advance, or 800-745-3000; $5 additional on day of event.


Monster Energy AMA Supercross Fun Facts

Monster Energy AMA Supercross kicks off its 40th anniversary season Saturday at Angel Stadium – the unofficial home to the high-flying sport that sees 22 racers at a time tackling the three-quarter-mile course and its 40 obstacles in 58-second laps.

Like last year, four 450SX championship winners (Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey, James Stewart and Chad Reed) will line up at the starting gate, as will three 250SX champions who are moving up to the 450 class (Eli Tomac, Wil Hahn and Ken Roczen).

We look back at how Supercross has evolved from a European motocross novelty to the pinnacle of American two-wheeled motorsports.

First American Motorcyclist Assn. Supercross race: March 9, 1974 at Daytona International Speedway

1974 AMA Supercross Championship winner: Pierre "Pepe" Karsmakers, of Holland, on board a Yamaha DT250

Number of Supercross races in 1974: 3 (in Daytona, Houston and Los Angeles)

Number of Monster Energy AMA Supercross races in 2014: 17 (three of which are in Anaheim)

Number of spectators expected at Anaheim 1: 45,050, a sellout

Winningest Supercross racer of all time: Jeremy McGrath (seven championships)

When defending Supercross champion Ryan Villopoto rolls his Kawasaki KX450F to the gate at the Anaheim 1 race tonight at Angel Stadium, he'll do so as part of an elite group. The 25-year-old is one of just two Supercross series winners to attempt a consecutive four-peat in the sport's 40-year history.

We caught up with the Florida-based racer to talk about the upcoming Monster Energy AMA Supercross season.

Q. How would you describe the pressure you're experiencing as you attempt a fourth consecutive Supercross championship season?

A. It's hard to explain unless you've been in a situation like this. It's not a team situation. You're the one. It's all up to you. Winning or not winning is all on your shoulders. So yeah. It's a lot of pressure. You don't want to let anybody down.

Q. What's the last thing that goes through your mind before the gate drops?

A. Basically, just get a good start. That's the number one key – being within the first five riders. And no matter how the start goes or how the race goes, just leaving that night without any injuries.

Q. You staged one of the greatest comebacks in Supercross history in the 2013 season – winning the series after finishing 16th in the season opener. What does it take, both mentally and physically, to win after you've had that kind of start?

A. Last year obviously didn't start out the way we wanted. We were in a pretty big hole, and we had to figure a way to dig back out of that hole. Starting off the season like we did last year, that's what we don't want to do.

Q. What is it like to work with trainer-to-the-champions Aldon Baker?

A. It's intense. It's a lot of laps. A lot of gym. It's a very intense program and it takes a toll on a lot of guys. You have to be mentally fit to be able to do it, so it's definitely tough.

Q. Can you describe your fitness routine and diet as you prepared for the season?

A. We were doing 45, 50 laps a day on the motorcycle and hour road rides on bicycles in the morning. We did gym three days a week. It's a rough schedule.

Q. How does your body feel at the end of a race, even one in which you don't break anything?

A. I would assume like running a marathon. Everything is tired. Everything. Your heart rate is at 180 for 20 minutes. In our sport, you use every muscle in the body at one point in time, so you're kind of glad it's over. Very fatigued and tired.

Q. In the eight years you've been racing pro, you've suffered serious injuries to your knee, leg, hand and ankle. You're only 25, but as you get older, do you find that it's easier or more difficult to recover?

A. If you're an athlete and you're in good shape and you do the right rehab or the right things to get you back, I don't really think there's a difference in timeline from 25 to 30.

  • Tons of dirt piled into Angel Stadium for Supercross



Join the conversation

Comments are encouraged, but you must follow our User Agreement
