Ryan Villopoto finally left St. Louis with a 450 class win. Image: Simon Cudby

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto has turned his luck around, taking his first ever win in St. Louis after a few rough years inside the Edward Jones Dome.

Villopoto suffered a spectacular crash at St. Louis in 2010, breaking his right leg.

This mistake put him out of the championship battle he had going with Ryan Dungey, who eventually won the title. In 2011 Villopoto took home a third place finish.

After being fast all day long, Villopoto got a good start in the main event, putting down some fast sprint laps to build a comfortable lead.

As the race went on concrete was showing up all over the deteriorating track, Villopoto was able to change up his lines and cruise to take the win.

“That was my first win in St. Louis and it felt great, I haven’t had the best luck here in the past so tonight really meant a lot to me,” said Villopoto.

“I got good starts all night and found good lines on the track.

“The track started falling apart halfway through the main event. A lot of concrete was showing on the track after lap 10 so I started taking different lines, slowed down, and played it safe.

“I’m looking forward to Daytona, it’s always been good to me. I’ve won there the last two years so hopefully I can make it a three-peat.”

Villopoto’s St. Louis win was his fifth of the season, he now sits atop of the standings with a 13-point lead over Ryan Dungey.