Ryan Villopoto rode Kawasaki's 2012 KX450F to victory on debut at Unadilla. Image: Andrew Fredrickson/RacerXOnline.com.

Following a break from competition over the past two weekends, the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship returned to action on Saturday for its ninth round of the season.

The Rockstar Energy Unadilla National hosted a tremendous crowd at the Unadilla Valley Sports Center, as Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto grabbed his second win of the season to extend his lead in the 450 Class standings.

After taking over the top spot in the championship for the first time this summer at the previous round, Villopoto entered the day with a scant one-point lead over Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey.

With the Unadilla round falling on his birthday, Villopoto was looking to make a statement, and began the day by topping the time sheet in practice. In Moto 1, he relied on a strong start to move into second behind American Honda’s Justin Barcia.

After pacing his rookie counterpart for nearly half the moto, Villopoto made the move for the lead on lap seven and never looked back.

The second moto presented a similar situation for Villopoto, slotting into second place after another top-five start, this time behind Red Bull KTM’s Mike Alessi.

Villopoto made short work of Alessi, passing him on lap three and finishing off the day with convincing 1-1 moto scores.

“It was definitely a good day,” said Villopoto. “The team and I made the decision to go to 2012 Kawasaki for this weekend, and it was definitely the right move. Knowing what we had was a lot better, I felt like we were in a great position to win today.

“I got good starts and was able to work my way through the field. It seemed easy to get by guys. I don’t know if it was the bike, or my confidence, but it’s put us in good position for the championship.”

Dungey battled with Barcia throughout both motos, prevailing each time to garner 2-2 moto scores and finish second overall, minimizing the damage in the point standings.

“I fought it a bit today,” said Dungey. “I didn’t get the start I needed in either moto. I had to battle through guys, and once I got into second, I couldn’t make the time up on Ryan. We’re looking forward to the next three races, and battling for this championship.”

Barcia, making his 450 Class debut in a substitute role for American Honda, finished third (3-3).

Australia’s Chad Reed was fourth overall for TwoTwo Motorsports with 4-5 results after a fall in moto two, while Brett Metcalfe (Rockstar Makita Suzuki) had to settle for 12th after posting 6-25 finishes.

A crash with Jake Weimer in moto two while battling for fifth spoiled Metcalfe’s hopes of a higher overall.

Michael Byrne finished the weekend in 17th for BTOSports/BBMX Suzuki with 40-12 results after encountering problems in moto one, while Tye Simmonds (JDR/J-Star/KTM) was 18th with 19-16 finishes.

Villopoto’s lead in the championship now sits at seven points over Dungey heading into an off week. Reed remains third, 25 points in arrears of Villopoto.

In the 250 Class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson, of Scotland, helped seal a perfect day for Kawasaki, sweeping both motos for his first victory of the summer.

Through eight rounds in the 250 Class, Wilson had captured five moto victories to amass the most points in the entire series, as well as the best finishing average of any rider. Despite that, the points leader had yet to claim an overall win.

On Saturday, Wilson left little doubt as to who the top rider was at Unadilla. After posting the fastest lap in practice, Wilson took over the lead early in both motos to pull away from the field and go 1-1 on the day, extending his double-digit points lead.

“It was a great day,” said Wilson. “I was just having fun out there. I feel like when I’m out there having fun, I definitely ride my best. I’ve been angry to not get an overall yet this season, but now I feel relieved.

“I just felt good and refreshed and excited to race again. I couldn’t sleep last night I was so excited.”

Wilson’s Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammate Blake Baggett finished in the runner-up spot (2-3), while GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac rounded out the overall podium in third (5-2).

Wilson now holds a 25-point advantage over Baggett in the 250 Class standings. The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team remains undefeated in 2011, posting 18 moto wins and nine overall victories.

The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship takes a week off, before returning to action on 27 August from Southwick, Massachusetts, where Moto-X 338 will host the 10th round of the championship.

Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship
Round Nine – Unadilla

450 Class Results (Moto Finish):
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki (1-1)
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki (2-2)
3. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda (3-3)
4. Chad Reed, Kurri Kurri, Australia, Honda (4-5)
5. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM (7-4)
6. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki (5-6)
7. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha (8-7)
8. Kyle Regal, Howell, Mich., Suzuki (10-9)
9. Jimmy Albertson, San Diego, Calif., Yamaha (12-11)
10. Jake Canada, Corona, Calif., Yamaha (11-14)

450 Class Championship Standings:
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 391
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki – 384
3. Chad Reed, Kurri Kurri, Australia, Honda – 366
4. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki – 262
5. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM – 210
6. Andrew Short, Colorado Springs, Colo., KTM – 196
7. Kevin Windham, Baton Rouge, La., Honda – 193
8. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki – 190
9. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha – 173
10. Tommy Hahn, Great Bend, Kan., Yamaha – 140

250 Class Results (Moto Finish):
1. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Kawasaki (1-1)
2. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (2-3)
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (5-2)
4. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha (8-4)
5. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda (6-6)
6. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (7-8)
7. Martin Davalos, Quito, Ecudaor, Suzuki (14-5)
8. Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Yamaha (4-16)
9. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda (10-10)
10. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda (9-11)

250 Class Championship Standings:
1. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Kawasaki – 396
2. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki – 371
3. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki – 353
4. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha – 264
5. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda – 239
6. Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Yamaha – 200
7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki – 195
8. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda – 181
9. Martin Davalos, Quito, Ecuador, Suzuki – 175
10. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Honda – 148