Ryan Villopoto finished second overall at Budds Creek last weekend.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto has vowed to close the gap on Australia’s Chad Reed when the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship enters Thunder Valley in Colorado this weekend.

Villopoto tied on points with eventual overall winner Reed last weekend at Budds Creek, putting the blame on a stomach ache after finishing third in moto two.

Earlier in the day at Budds, the new supercross champion won the opening moto by over eight seconds.

“I felt great in the first moto,” Villopoto explained. “I had a little moment, but was able to hold on to the lead. In the second moto, I didn’t feel good at all, but pushed as hard as I could to make sure I didn’t lose any points to Chad.

“I really wish I could have left here another three points closer, but we’ll make it up next week.”

Villopoto, who took his first win in two years at High Point, now sits second in the championship standings, 15 points in arrears of Reed.