Villopoto holds a slim lead over Dungey and Reed coming into Unadilla.

It has been two weeks since the world’s best riders took to the track, but this Saturday, August 13, American Motocross returns to action with round nine of the Lucal Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship going down with the Rockstar Energy Unadilla National from New Berlin, N.Y.

The last round at Washougal saw the dramatic battle for the 450 Class title continued to evolve, with Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto ultimately taking control of the lead in the standings, while Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey raced to his third win of the season.

After amassing a class leading four wins, and sitting atop the championship since the opening round, TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray Racing’s Chad Reed fell to third, following a fourth place effort, the Aussie still feeling the effects of his now world renowned getoff at Millville.

As the dominant trio of the 450 Class heads to Unadilla fresh off a break from competition, just nine points separate the three riders, with only a single point between Villopoto and Dungey.

There has been little doubt through the first eight rounds of the season that the premier class title would be decided amongst Villopoto, Dungey and Reed. While Reed has proved to be the most consistent over that span, his frightening incident at Spring Creek two rounds ago tightened the points race with his younger rivals.

Now, both Villopoto and Dungey have capitalized on Reed’s misfortune, and have set the stage for a memorable showdown over the final month of competition. Reed is far from done in this series, and with two weeks to rest and recuperate, should come out swinging at Unadilla.

The 250 class has been all about the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki squad in 2011. The Mitch Payton-led team, highlighted by Dean Wilson, Tyla Rattray and Blake Baggett, has taken the checkered flag in all 16 motos this summer, resulting in the overall win at all eight rounds of competition.

While it has been team mate Rattray and Baggett who have managed to secure the overalls so far this season, it is Scotsman Dean Wilson who maintains a double-digit lead over his teammates in the standings. Wilson has been the most consistent rider in the entire series, accumulating more points than any competitor in either class.

Despite not grabbing an overall victory yet, Wilson has plenty of moto wins and has shown he deserves the lead he holds. As the series begins to head into its final stages over the next few weeks, Rattray and Baggett will have to watch that their team mate doesn’t start to run away with the lead in the final rounds of racing.

With both classes stacked with tight battles at the front of the pack, round nine at Unadilla promises to live up to the excitement that has been the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championships in 2011.