Motocross: The 2009 season opener brings some competitive battling like always at the steep Glen Helen Raceway, and a newcomer to the 450 Class sweeps both motos.

Ron Lieback
AllAboutBikes.com Staff Writer

MotorCycle News Ryan Villopoto

After winning three consecutive 250 Class championships, Ryan Villopoto decided to jump into the AMA Motorcross series’ premier 450 Class, hoping to be a point leader early on. Well he succeeded, sweeping both motos in the South Point Hotel & Casino Motocross National at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, Calif., Saturday.

“It was tough,” said Villopoto, the No. 2 Monster Energy Kawasaki Rider from Poulsbo, Wash., after winning the second moto. “I didn’t get a good start but I kept on pushing, and didn’t try riding over my head.”

The 20-year-old winner has a great start to a fulfilling a title in the Lucas Oil Motocross Pro Nationals, but the season opener was far from easy. As always, the temperatures at Glen Helen were hot and brutal, and this year more modifications than ever were made to the track known for it’s steep down slopes; a track containing the famed Mt. St. Helen at 200 ft. in elevation and the Talladega Turn, one of the fastest in Motocross. The track was also raced in reverse this year, a first for MX at Glen Helen.

With this kind of opening, Villopoto has a shot at making MX history again. James Stewart recorded the first 24-0 season in series history a year ago by winning both motos in all 12 events. But Stewart chose to sit out this year after winning the AMA Supercross title three weeks ago, leaving a wide-open field to compete for the championship.

Moto 1:

It wasn’t an easy win for Villopoto in Moto 1. The holeshot was taken by Mike Alessi on the Rockstar Makita Suzuki, followed by Josh Grant on the Toyota/JGR Yamaha, with Villopoto pounding along in fifth.

Farther back, Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Chad Reed had a less than desirable start around the 12th spot but was quickly making his way toward the front; by the end of lap three he was in seventh place. There was much talk of Reed’s aggressiveness, considering he decided to race in Motocross just eight days prior to the season opener, and recorded the fastest lap during practice. Reed also placed second in the AMA Supercross Championship this year behind Stewart, so he’s expected to very competitive on the outdoor MX scene.

As Reed was making impressive moves as expected, so was Villopoto, who started charging the competition. After Alessi unexpectedly came to a complete stop at the bottom of a hill in the track’s back section, Grant passed him for first, and Villopoto grabbed second, putting the holeshot leader in third. Villopoto then began closing the gap on Grant, and by mid race Villopoto had passed the Toyota/JGR Honda, having a full second lead on Grant.

Reed continued forward in the closing laps, and by the time he was in fifth, he began putting serious pressure on fourth-place Red Bull Honda rider Andrew Short. After various pass attempts, Reed found a good line and passed Short, throttling into fourth.

At the finish line it was Villopoto, who took his first ever 450 win, followed by Grant, Alessi, Reed, Short, and Short’s teammate David Millsaps on the other Red Bull Honda.

Moto 2

The second race was dominated by Alessi, who lead 12 of 14 laps until Villopoto passed him to finish first. Alessi would finish 2.648 seconds behind Villopoto, and third-place finisher Reed would complete Moto 2 more than 47 seconds behind Alessi.

Like Moto 1, Alessi came out strong, grabbing the holeshot quickly, followed by Grant and Short. Reed had a better start for this race, though, and got to fourth quickly. Near mid race, Alessi kept putting down consistent laps while Villopoto, Grant and Reed battled over second. Alessi suddenly had a 15-second gap over everyone. But once Villopoto took Grant, he put in a hard charge, closing the gab significantly within one lap.

The rutted up-slope on Mt. St. Helen almost got the best of Alessi, which slowed his lead time. A few laps later, Villopoto was right on Alessi’s trail; Alessi had a small bobble in the berm leading to the uphill triple, slowing him down. Villopoto had a great run, though, and literally jumped over Alessi to grab first, eventually taking the win two laps later.

Overall 450 Class Results:

1) Ryan Villopoto
2) Michael Alessi
3) Josh Grant
4) Chad Reed
5) Davi Millsaps
6) Thomas Hahn
7) Mike Brown
8) Cody Cooper
9) Weston Peick
10) Andrew Short