Ryan Villopoto - Life for a pro motocross racer can be pretty tough

I know a lot of people were speculating that I was going to retire, and to be honest, I considered it. Life for a pro motocross racer can be pretty tough—especially if you fall down a lot, lol. Did I want to have to climb back up that ladder? Get myself back into shape? I didn’t know if I wanted to tackle that all again. I’ve done that already twice—coming back from a fairly major injury. Even at this point right now its five months or so until the gate drops in Qatar… 

Once I was able to swallow that one and be like ‘okay, yeah let’s do it’, it is definitely something that is a work in progress. It’s funny because although Kawasaki is one company KMC, KME, and KHI are three separate entities. So we had to get everything correlated and running in the right direction… trying to get all the moving parts aligned. It’s taken some time.

Then there is my own physical aspect: It’s not just like coming off a season and taking two weeks off and then kind of getting back into it. You don’t lose much at all if you do it that way. Definitely the hill is a lot steeper the way I’m going about it.

There are a couple of things that make me nervous. Obviously traveling to different countries. Some of the counties are a maybe little bit sketchy, so there’s things I have to watch out for. Learning the tricks of the trade. And I have to learn them very quick, lol. It’s going to be making the mistake of eating an ice cube that was frozen from tap water, then you get sick—that’s the sort of stuff I will need to learn real quick. Not make a mistake in that area.

When it comes to the bike, the tracks—that’s all the stuff I am really good at. I have a good base coming from KMC. Our factory bike is one of the best. Kawasaki of Europe, they have a good bike as well. The great thing is that it’s going to be essentially the same bike—with a few different parts and set-up a little differently. I know how I like to ride my bike and have it set-up, so I plan on doing the same.

As far as the competition goes, I have raced the majority at des Nations, but that’s a hard race to gauge off. It’s kind of like Anaheim 1—not the best place to make assumptions. I feel like Tony Cairoli’s probably going to be one of my strongest competitors. You can’t not think he’s going to be the guy—he’s won eight years in a row! Then there’s other guys like Gautier Paulin and Steven Frossard. The Europeans are going to be tough. I think they will surprise me in areas and I will surprise them in areas.

We’re flying into Brussels on October 10 to meet the team, I’ve met a few of the guys already, and go see the race shop. The race shop is in Holland which is about 40 miles from where my friend and teammate Tyla Rattray lives—basically just outside of Lommel. He’s going to do some testing at Saint Jean. It’s where I last raced des Nations in ’11.

Most of all, I’m just trying to go over there and really enjoy this last year. This is a one-time deal. I am going to finish my career win or lose after this next season… But I’d love to win and leave on top. I’m not going to say it’s going to be easier or harder—it will for sure be different though.

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Marissa Markelon victory on her New Haven Motorsport-backed Kawasaki

In the AMA Women's Motocross Championship (WMX) at KROC Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, over the weekend, held in conjunction with the 38th Annual Kawasaki Team Green Race of Champions Marissa Markelon took a huge win at round six.

Markelon went 1-1 over the course of the two motos on her New Haven Motorsport-backed Kawasaki, topping round-five winner Kylie Fasnacht in each of the two races.

Rain showers on Saturday left the Englishtown course a bit soggy during morning practice on Sunday. However, by the end of the day the track was rock-hard and dry, with plenty of deep ruts had hard-edged bumps for the riders to contend with.

In moto one, Markelon was third out for the gate, but the Connecticut rider was into the lead by turn two and pulling away, although playing it safe to a certain degree.

"I was a little nervous in that first race," said Markelon. "I didn't w
ant to make the same mistakes I made at the Baja Brawl, so I just wanted to make sure I kept it on two wheels and rode a steady race."

Markelon did indeed ride a steady race, and plenty fast enough to take the win over the hard-charging Fasnacht, who was still carrying momentum from her win in Michigan.

Honda rider Jacqueline Strong rounded out the first moto podium with a solid third, with Nicole Cutrera (Hon) and Shelby Rolen (Kaw) finishing fourth and fifth.

Fasnacht came out swinging in moto two, and led the first four laps of the race with Markelon in hot pursuit. On lap five, however, Fasnacht bobbled and then got cross-rutted in a deep rut, giving Markelon just the break she needed to take the lead.

From there, it was an easy ride to the finish for Markelon, who claimed her first win of the season with a 1-1 tally.

Fasnacht held on to take second, with Strong, Rolen and Cutrera rounding out the top five.
Motorcycle-Superstore/Yamaha's MacKenzie Tricker missed her second-straight race after suffering an injury to her elbow with a small tip over at a local race while in Australia. Tricker had surgery three-and-a-half weeks before the New Jersey race and just got her cast cut off the week before the race.

On the other hand, Markelon's win and early season consistency leaves her with a 43-point lead in the series standings with two rounds remaining, plus two throw-out rounds to be calculated.

"I'm feeling a different kind of pressure now that I have the points lead," said Markelon. "Things will be close after the throw out rounds are factored in and I just have to stay calm and ride steady at these last two races."

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Yamaha multiyear extension contract with Star Racing

This year was a breakout year for the Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha team. The winning train left the station at the final Supercross round in Las Vegas and continued to roll as the team dominated the 2014 Outdoor Nationals, taking home 6 out of a possible 12 overall wins behind the powerhouse duo of Jeremy Martin and Cooper Webb, with Jeremy Martin wrapping up the title with 1 race to go, bringing home Star Racing their first AMA National championship.

Yamaha is also pleased to announce that Jeremy Martin, Cooper Webb and Anthony Rodriguez will all be returning having signed new agreements with Star Racing that will insure they will be racing YZ250Fs during the 2015 season. Joining the returning riders will be amateur standout Aaron Plessinger. Aaron’s final amateur race will be at the upcoming Monster Energy Cup, from there he will prepare for his pro debut sometime during the 2015 Supercross season.

“This year was simply amazing. I’ve dreamt about this moment for a long time and I knew with the people we have on the team and the bikes that Yamaha provides us this was going to happen. I’m very excited to see what 2015 and beyond holds for our team and I couldn’t be happier to continue our awesome relationship with Yamaha”, said Star Racing team owner Bobby Regan. “I’m so proud of everyone at Star Racing. We worked together and created a long term plan to develop riders from our Amateur motocross program and stuck with it. The results so far couldn’t have been any sweeter. Yamaha is very excited to see what 2015 holds with last year’s trio of Martin, Webb, and Rodriguez returning along with new rookie Plessinger.

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Clement Desalle may return on track

Clement Desalle made ​​progress from pain and discomfort suffered following their first corner accident at the Swedish round over two weeks ago and hopes to join Kevin Strijbos in the works RM-Z450 in search of staff for his trophy on the podium 14 the campaign.

 "I have not ridden the bike yet, but I had some improvement to the point where I was able to experience some activities such as cycling and swimming," said the Belgian on his way to the European launch of the 2015 RM-Z450 Suzuki's technology Valkenswaard this week. "There was no breakage or other serious injury, but the nerves around the muscle and, especially, my ribs were so painful. I felt like I could hardly move. Bati ribs and I generally felt very bad, but he was getting better.

 "I have to say I feel very positive," he added. "I had some time at home and thinking that accident could have easily been much worse. I was lucky."

 Desalle and Strijbos have good reason to look at Loket with optimism, regardless of their content and form. Was around, hard-pack mountainous slippery Strijbos in 2005 that gave the RM-Z450 to his first Grand Prix victory. Desalle won on three occasions; 2009, 2011 and the last coming in 2013, where Strijbos walked the second step of the podium by a comprehensive 1-2 end.

 Although he has yet to fully confirm their participation this weekend, the goal of Desalle for his return will be back to your race pace and keep an eye on the championship he needs to work in a space of 45 point Jeremy Van Horebeek and second place in the table MXGP.

 "I like the track and had some good results, but I will not be 100% so I'll just take whatever I can manage," he said. "Loket could be said to be" easy "in some respects, but at this level every track can be punishing! Stretching my right leg is uncomfortable and I still have pain in my wrist after the accident in Italy, so overall my physical condition is not great.'m sure that I can be in Loket and will just do my best. "

 Strijbos is chasing his seventh podium of the year, which is now their most successful season since 2007 Grand Prix. Margin of his teammate in the standings is 46 points and the Belgian could take advantage of the weakened state Desalle to narrow the deficit and aim for a top-three slot end of the series, something that - again -. he has not managed since 2007 That year was also the scene of his last Grand Prix win and would be a timely achievement if he could prove the winner of champagne again in Loket.

 "Six podiums now and things were going well and better than some races early in the season, but it would be nice to change some of these second or third positions for firsts!" Said the Belgian. "Loket circuit is like an old-school, and something a little different and special in the GP calendar. Guess you can love it or hate it. Clement I do not know if it will be with me this weekend, but I'm not looking for the league as there is still very much enough points between us. "

Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe have been busy since the GP of Finland. The German MX2 crew traveled to Tensfeld for the fourth round of the ADAC MX Masters series and Team Manager Thomas Ramsbacher along with Glenn Coldenhoff have been in Valkenswaard, Holland this week for the 2015 RM-Z450 release.

Coldenhoff joined the likes of Ricky Carmichael and a spread of European media to help introduce the new machine. The Dutchman has been putting in practice laps around the track in order to accelerate the return MX2 Grand Prix in what is his last season in the RM-Z250, but is not yet in a position to confirm an exact round; or the Belgian Grand Prix on August 3 or the Brazilian equipment in early September.

"We are working on a plan to be on Glenn bike again in a Grand Prix, but he had a little accident on Saturday and hurt his hand so we are taking it easy when it comes to making sure that the time is right," said Ramsbacher. "He will be riding the new RM-Z450 for us next year MXGP so it was important and positive to have him here next to Ricky this week for the European launch.'s Time could have been better, but it was going well.

"As the focus is the 450 that have left the kids at home, but they will take part in the Ricky Carmichael University in Genk, Belgium this week and Gianluca [Fachetti] and Brian [Hsu] will participate," he added.

Jeremy Seewer and Julien Lieber will be ready for the rocks and hard pack of Loket this week on his works RM-Z250s before diving in deep sand and Lommel circuit the following weekend. Seewer finished fourth and second in the previous two years, the Czech Republic, while contesting the European EMX250 series and has experience of running in front around the Loket steep hill as well as learn a decent start is almost essential to success. Lieber lost the Czech round last season while recovering from an injury to the ligament of the knee.

"We're now until 14 World Cup, but he does not feel like the end of the season, especially since we are still in July!" Ramsbacher commented. "We still have a busy program ahead ADAC, as well as two of our pilots are likely to be at the Motocross of Nations. We are also very excited for the return of Glenn."

 The MX2 paddock is still recovering from the shock of the news world champion Jeffrey Herlings accident 'in an exhibition of charity race, which left the Dutch with a broken leg when he needed just five points to confirm the third title this weekend. For Rockstar Energy Suzuki duo absence of the defending champion will mean an outside chance of fighting for victory garland Herlings grabbed the winner in each bar a round this year. At least one competitor is less in your quest for maximum points and seeking to catch Seewer Jose Butron to ninth place in the MX2 standings, while Lieber sets his sights on reaching the top 10 of its current ranking of 13.

John Burr Cycles Endurance Series

As round two of three in the John Burr Cycles Endurance Series, this year’s Glen Helen 10-Hour was an event to remember. This was technically the first ever “10-Hours of Glen Helen,” since It replaces the 12-Hour, which has been held for the last nine years. Cutting two hours out of the schedule allowed the staff to execute the race more effectively without pushing the boundaries of daylight. Three years ago, the race was held at night to deal with excessive heat during the day and officials haven’t ruled out that possibility again since this 10-hour was a hot one. As for this year, no one complained about missing two hours in the high 90-degree heat that Mother Nature brought to Southern California. The course was set over most of the Glen Helen facility using the National track, REM track, truck course, sand washes and, of course, the dreaded dry, dusty and choppy ridges.

Nick Burson led the Purvines Beta Team to a hard-fought victory in the Open Pro class over the weekend. Burson recruited Ryan Abbatoye and Bobby Garrison to face the grueling 10-hour challenge on a 2013 Beta 300cc two-stroke (which also happens to be the Dirt Rider Magazine Bike of the Year). Justin Jones, Ty Tremaine and Eric Yorba finished just behind the Beta team on their RPM Racing KTM 450. Robby Bell and the Precision Concepts squad of Benny Breck and Mark Tilley had a crash on the first lap, which resulted in the team playing catch up all day.

Read more: http://www.dirtrider.com/features/john-burr-cycles-10-hours-of-glen-helen/#ixzz38Hgb6TBY

James Stewart grabbed his first main event win of 2014 in San Diego

James Stewart grabbed his first main event win of 2014 in San Diego this weekend, and the Yoshimura Suzuki rider did it in impressive fashion, passing Ryan Villopoto on the first lap and then holding off the defending series champ for 20 laps to take the “W”. The win was Stewart’s 46th of his career, leaving him just two wins behind the all-time Supercross wins leader Jeremy McGrath.

“We’ve been close all year,” said Stewart. “We had a chance to pass for the lead at Anaheim and then went down. And at Oakland to ride really good and just run out of time, so we were there all along, but now we finally put it all together. We all knew we were close; it was just a matter of time. Tonight, we put 20 solid laps in, and I thought we were fairly aggressive in the opening laps and we ran a solid pace all night.”

After the race, Villopoto admitted that he and his team struggled with bike setup, but the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider still left Qualcomm Stadium with the points lead intact and was more or less pleased with his runner-up finish.

“We were fighting the bike all day, and I felt like we should have been better in practice, but we made a change before the heat races and that’s what we stuck with for the main, and it seemed like it was pretty dialed in,” said Villopoto. “James was able to get around me early and it seemed like we were running back and forth, a couple of tenths here and there from each other. That made it hard to pass, but he rode strong tonight.”

Ken Roczen didn’t like the track and didn’t like the way he rode, but the Red Bull KTM rider still came away with a solid third place finish and now sits second overall in the series standings, nine points behind Villopoto.

“I’m not too happy with my race in the main event, but I’m happy to get another podium,” said Roczen. “I was just really sketched out, I made a lot of mistakes and almost crashed, so I’m clearly not happy with the riding, but we’re in the championship hunt, so everything is good.”

On the final lap of the race, Chad Reed got squirrelly in the whoops and ran into the back of Roczen when Roczen got out of shape trying to pass lapper Nick Wey. That caused Reed to go down and injure himself.

“I’m bummed about Reed and I hope he’s okay,” said Roczen. “On that last lap, I don’t know if he got on my rear, but I was really close to Nick Wey and I got squirrelly in the whoops and Reed hit me, so I hope he’s okay.”

Read more: http://www.dirtrider.com/features/what-really-happened-san-diego-supercross-2/#ixzz2thMaKAfb

Gautier Paulin’s first appearance on the 2014 MX Season

Gautier Paulin’s marked his first appearance on the 2014 MX Season,the final round of the Italian Elite MX championship.Unfortunate weather conditions cancelled the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider’s initial plans of racing in Valence (France) but a quick decision to race in Italy saw the likable Frenchman line up against a world class field in Montevarchi.

Sunny skies and great track conditions welcomed a full grid of riders to the hilly former GP circuit and Paulin lost no time in getting down to business. He got off to a great start in the MX1 moto and immediately passed Nagl for the lead as he took control of the race from lap 1, leading to the checkered flag.

Grabbing the hole-shot in the Elite moto, Paulin set his own race pace and posted consistent lap times with Team-mate Frossard following suit. With five minutes remaining Paulin pulled a sizeable gap on second place and took the double victory.

Gautier Paulin: “It was great to be here with all the team, racing for the first time since November. I inevitably had some arm pump as this was my first race for so long, and I rode carefully all day as there were some deep ruts and it could have been dangerous. But I still won both races – I had a good feeling and that’s a great way to start the season, even if we know that nobody is riding at 100% so early in the season.”