Monster Army:  Ryan, congratulations on the recent success in first round of the 2009 outdoor motocross national at Glen Helen.  There are many parts to this story that make the event a huge deal right now in the moto community.  Let’s rap about a few of those topics and let me know your thoughts on it all. How did it all pan out with you now that the event is over?

Ryan Villopoto:  You know I have been very fortunate with my career ever since I turned pro.  I always knew in the back of my mind as a kid racing the amateur nationals that I had the talent and desire to win races.  It never really all came together until I turned pro, and to be honest, I feel like I have already achieved more then I ever thought possible.  I can into Glen Helen, my race in the premier class with that same approach I have always used.  I did my homework, got as prepared as I thought I could be, and I gave it my all.  I never gave up and things fell into place for me.  I think athletes, for the most part, make their own luck and I just gave it my all and came away from the weekend with the perfect score.  I could not be any happier then I am right now. 


MA:  Did the track design fit your style of riding at that event?

Ryan: Glen Helen is always a very tough track.  Everyone knows what to expect from the weekend before the race begins. I, like many of the other pros, did a lot of testing for the event at Glen Helen.  I do like tracks that are more on the rough side and feel like my training over the past years and prepared me well for humidity on the East Coast and the roughness of the tracks on the West Coast. 


MA:  Describe your style of riding as you see it?

Ryan: I like to think of myself as someone who rides with a controlled aggression.  I like to be right on the fine line and test myself when I need to.  I will do what I need to to win the event but know the long term vision of the title is more important.  I will take a 2nd or 3rd place finish if it is the smart thing to do at the time, but I will try and win every moto just so that my competitors know that for me, the race does not end till the checkered flag is out. 


MA:  Tell us about how your 2009 Supercross season went for you?

Ryan: I felt like I could have done better.  I was healthy, my bike was one of the best on the track, and I have a great support system set up behind me.  I know it was going to be a battle each weekend with Chad and James.  I also knew there was no real pressure on me since this was my first year in the class with them.  I would have liked to been on the podium more in the early part of the season but sometimes things happen.  My illness in the middle of the season made me sit out for awhile and I think some people wrote me off after that.  When I won a few mains at the end of the year after I came back to racing, I was wishing there was more Supercross in the season.  But at the same time, I was also looking forward to the outdoor series.  I love the outdoors!


MA:  How did motocross become a passion for you?

Ryan: I just started riding at a very young age.  My dad raced motocross and for me it was something I always looked forward to.  As time went on I knew it was something that came natural to me.  Still to this day, ever after all the years of riding, I still look forward to riding the next day when I go to bed at night. 


MA: What do you like better, the time racing as an amateur or the time racing as a pro?

Ryan: That is an easy one.  I think every racer would answer this question the same way.  The time you spend at the races as an amateur is the best time in life.  At the time it seems like a job, but it is a lot of fun and you are always with your buddies goofing off after the races and at night at the tracks.  As a pro, knowing the time, effort, and amount of money people are investing in you to win, you definitely are reminded that it is truly a job! 


MA:  What else do you do besides riding for fun?

Ryan: I have a few guns and like to hunt a little.   It is tough with the schedule we have with the amount of racing and testing us riders do.  A big treat was going to Africa a few years ago and being able to do a little hunting.  I also like to fish.  It was something that I took up as a kid and was able to do on the down time at some of the amateur nationals.   


MA:  Are you going to be able to take part in the Summer X-Games and try and win a gold medal?

Ryan: That would be fun but we will have to see how the outdoor series is going when X-Games rolls around.  That might be a better question for you to ask Mike Fisher, the Kawasaki Team Manager. 


MA: Where would you say is heaven for a motocrosser?

Ryan: You might think this is funny, but I would have to say home.  I know that you were looking for a track location or something but being on the road so much, it is always nice to take advantage of spending time at home.  I love it there.  


MA:  What does the future hold for Ryan Villopoto?

Ryan:  I am not sure.  I know that things can turn in a second and with a sport like motocross I am taking nothing for granted.  I am going to continue to ride hard, ride smart, and give it my all every time on the track.  I know that the career of a motocross racer is short, well usually, and so I do not want to leave anything on the table after I am done racing.  I know that there are always a lot of talented kids coming in the pros every year and the number of jobs out there is small.  I hope the future continues with the way the past and present has gone for me by no one can predict what will happen till it is happening.  I hope that I am able to learn each and every day I am on bike and am able to add it to my knowledge base for future championship titles. 


MA:  What is the name of the trick you are going to invent someday going to be called?

Ryan: The trick?  I am not sure about that one.  I am a racer in my heart and maybe I can come up with some type of deal like McGrath did with his Nac-Nac.  Maybe in time I will be able to come up with something flashy and exciting win I win a race over the finish line jump.  Maybe something along the lines of the “Nac-Nac” & “Can-Can”.  I will say “Ryanizer”. 


MA:  What are you goals for the 2010 season?

Ryan: I want to continue to improve and make my sponsors feel like I am going everything I can for them.  I want to win both Championships and keep my streak alive on the Des Nations team.  I want to be able to have as much face time as I can with the fans and give everyone the best show possible that spends money on a ticket. Oh, and I also want to stay healthy!

Got something to say?