Ryan Villopoto with his trainer,...
Ryan Villopoto with his trainer, Randy Lawrence.
Late into the 2005 National season, Amateur National star Ryan Villopoto jumped headfirst into the pro ranks. With a seemingly effortless style and a positive attitude, this humble kid from Washington state proceeded to turn heads everywhere with some blazing-fast rides in the Lites class, including a top-five finish at Steel City and a podium spot at Glen Helen. After a solid rookie supercross season, the #51 Pro Circuit rider has begun his first full charge on the Nationals, where he plans to continue to make his mark as one of the fastest newcomers at the big show.
How do you feel after your first season of supercross?
I feel good. I was going for a podium overall, and it happened after Dallas, so I was pretty pumped on that. It was fun, but now I am focused on riding outdoors and just getting back into the swing of things.
How much supercross practice did you have prior to this season?
I had quite a bit before Anaheim 1, but I got hurt four weeks before. I had surgery on my collarbone, leaving only eight days to train after being off for four weeks, but we still decided to race.
What did you do to step up your finishes from Binghamton to Steel City at the end of last year's outdoor season?
I just worked on the start a lot. I thought that the Steel City track was fun, and I came from about 17th to fifth, so I was pretty pumped about that. Glen Helen was fun, too, because I got on the podium for the first time.
With only two weeks in between Loretta Lynn's and Binghamton, was it hard to get ready for the Nationals?
Not really, since I started way before Loretta's. I rode really long motos, and I made my practices a lot harder than the actual races. Once I show up to the races, they seem pretty easy!
A lot of top riders-RC and Bubba, for example-seem to have a really tight-knit group of people surrounding them, like trainers, close friends and family. Do you have a core of people who support you?
Yeah, my mom and dad, and my trainer, Randy Lawrence, are around me quite a bit. Randy and I work a lot together. We train, go to the gym and ride bicycles a lot.
Overall, how was your transition from amateur to pro?
If I didn't have Randy helping me, I think it would have been much harder. Luckily, he got behind me quite a bit before; we started working hard and it was easy. The hardest part was adapting to some of the new tracks like Binghamton, which was pretty slippery. But overall, I looked at it the same way, and it wasn't a difficult change.
Do you find supercross to be easier than motocross?
Motocross is way tougher. In supercross, you aren't out there for very long, and that makes it much easier.
What was the hardest part of supercross for you?
The hard-packed dirt is really difficult to get used to. When it is dry and blue-grooved, things can be really tough, especially at the Kawasaki test track!
You also have a brother, Tyler, who is pretty good on a bike...
He is good if he is out of bed! He kind of just hangs out, watches a lot of TV, eats and shoots his bow. [laughs]
How much testing do you do with Pro Circuit during the week?
Normally, we do about two days. Sometimes I will go about two weeks without testing, and when Bones is done working with other people then it's my turn.
How is working for Mitch Payton?
I haven't made him too mad yet. I know that after the Vegas Supercross he was upset because I rode like a goon. Other than that, though, he has been really cool.
How is your Pro Circuit Kawasaki?
That bike is great. I haven't had any problems with it, and so far we are just dialing in the suspension to make it a little better for me. It worked really well for me in supercross, through the whoops and everything, and I am excited to ride it outdoors.
What are your expectations coming into the Nationals?
I want to be in the top three, if not first, hopefully!
Let's get some favorites. Food?
My grandma makes pretty good spaghetti.
Music?
I listen to pretty much everything, from country to rap.
Track?
Lake Whitney is my favorite amateur track, but Steel City is fun, too. I don't know about the other National tracks, because I haven't been to them yet!
Racer?
I like a bit of everything from everybody. Both James [Stewart] and Ricky [Carmichael] have great styles and are super-fast.
Good answer! Thanks for your time and good luck this season, Ryan.
Thank you!