Ryan Villopoto Wins the Opening Race at Anaheim

The 2011 Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship, season started on Saturday in front of a sold out crowd at Angel Stadium. The season was kicked-off by a convincing win by Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash. In the opening race of the Supercross Lites Western Regional Championship, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Josh Hansen, of Elbert, Colo., led a clean sweep of the podium by Kawasaki.

Dodge/Hart & Huntington Kawasaki’s Ivan Tedesco, of Murrieta, Calif., raced to the holeshot with Villopoto and Red Bull KTM’s Mike Alessi, of Victorville, Calif., close behind Villopoto made a quick move to take over Alessi on the first lap before going wire-to-wire for his 10th career win in the class.

Monster Energy Supercross Champion Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., finished second overall, gradually working his way into the runner-up spot and never gave it up. San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart, came in third, overcoming a mid-pack start to methodically work his way into podium position on Lap 12.

“I almost went down a few times,” said Stewart. “Next week, I’ll work on my starts and be prepared for Phoenix. I tried my best to get up there. Once I got into third, I tried to make up some time on Ryan (Dungey) but ran out of laps.”

In the Supercross Lites class, it was all Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki. In his debut for the team, Broc Tickle, of Holly, Mich., grabbed the early lead and led for eight laps before getting passed by Hansen just at the finish line. The duo then opened up a considerable gap over the field.

Supercross Lites class rookie Tyla Rattray, of Wildomar, Calif., completed the Pro Circuit sweep in third.

The evening was a truly dominant one for the entire Kawasaki organization as the brand led every lap of the main events in both the Supercross and Supercross Lites classes while also leading every lap of competition in the Supercross Lites class.

Supercross Class Results: Anaheim 1
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
4. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda
5. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda
6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
7. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
8. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki
9. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda
10. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM

Supercross Class Season Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 25
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki – 22
3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 20
4. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda – 18
5. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda – 16
6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda – 15
7. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki – 14
8. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki – 13
9. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda – 12
10. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM – 11

Supercross Lites Class Western Regional Results: Anaheim 1
1. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki
2. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki
3. Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki
4. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki
5. Cole Seely, Corona, Calif., Honda
6. Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki
7. Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM
8. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda
9. Nick Paluzzi, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha
10. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda

Supercross Lites Class Western Regional Season Standings
1. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki – 25
2. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki – 22
3. Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki – 20
4. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki – 18
5. Cole Seely, Corona, Calif., Honda – 16
6. Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki – 15
7. Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM – 14
8. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda – 13
9. Nick Paluzzi, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha – 12
10. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda – 11