Ryan Villopoto may be playing catch-up in the AMA Supercross championship but his second-place status is absolutely not down to a lack of heart.
The Monster Energy Kawasaki rider ran wide and over a berm in practice, suffering injuries rumoured at time of writing to be broken toes. Undaunted, Villopoto went out and won his heat race ahead of rival and series leader Ryan Dungey - if Makita Suzuki's Dungey thought he was going to be in for an easy night of lead-extending he was sorely mistaken...
Come the Main Event, it was Valli Motorsport's Ivan Tedesco quickest out of the gate but Villopoto was right with him and straight into the lead - Dungey gated fifth but was soon working his way forward as Kevin Windham made his way past Tedesco into second. Dungey also passed Hot Sauce and joined battle with K-Dub as Villopoto just gritted his teeth and ground it out up front.Honda Red Bull's Trey Canard, continuing his epic 450 performance while on vacation from West Coast Lites duty, made quick work of the chasing pack, closing in on the Dungey/Windham battle even as RD made an uncharacteristic mistake in the same corner that claimed Poto in practice. Dungey, however, stayed on and redoubled his efforts, getting by K-Dub for second but was unable to make an impression on Villopoto while veteran Windham had to undergo the indignity of an assault by Canard, the youngster sneaking through for third - and his fifth straight podium - at the very death.
In the East Coast Lites title chase series leader Christophe Pourcel pulled another win out of the bag. Returning veteran and holeshot master Kelly Smith almost predictably led the pack out of turn one but Brett Metcalfe was straight past him into first.
Austin Stroupe, trailing Pourcel in the standings, was soon on Metcalfe's back tyre but the youngster was unable to find a way past the Aussie as Pourcel closed up into third. Desperate to find a way through, Stroupe got tangled up with Metcalfe allowing Pourcel into second and the Frenchman quickly drove past Metty into the lead. But Stroupe would not give up, following the Frenchman through into second although Pourcel had plenty in hand. Until, that is, he tangled with a back-marker, allowing Stroupe almost within sniffing distance - but the former MX2 world champion was not to be denied, piloting himself suavely away for the win.
Down Under news now and Billy MacKenzie started his Australian championship drive off smartly with overall victory at Horsham in Victoria. Billy battled with Todd Waters for the opening moto win with Waters sweeping through for victory but Mac was back in the second, taking the win ahead of Dean Ferris and Waters. Race three, as the rain started to fall, was all about reigning champion Jay Marmont who stomped the field in the tricky conditions, winning by over half-a-minute from Tye Simmonds with Billy Mac third after recovering form a turn one crash.
Is there anymore news? Well, yes there is and no there isn't - the on-again, off-again saga of the British Grand Prix continues to rumble on. At this moment in time it would seem that the GP will happen at Chepstow but on a different date than previously planned - although this is all largely rumour-based as nothing can be confirmed until the deal is done. The situation is as fluid as George Best's diet, so it's probably good advice not to book anything until things have been made clearer but, on the positive side, it does look as though the GP will happen in some form at some place on some date. More news as and when...
