Ryan Villopoto is slowly inching closer to the 450SX points lead at the mid point of the season. Image: Simon Cudby.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto is satisfied with his round nine St. Louis performance, putting a large dent in Davi Millsaps’ Monster Energy Supercross 450SX points lead, now sitting just 12 points from the lead spot.

In a drama-filled main event, the defending champion put together an impressive ride, notching up another vital victory whilst maintaining a close eye on Millsaps throughout the race.

After putting together eight strong rounds which included two wins, the Rockstar Suzuki Racing rider suffered his worst performance of the year with a sixth place, and Villopoto was right there to capitalize on that.

“Before the first triple into that right-hander, I could see him coming through the sand.,” Villopoto told Racer X. “So I knew it was James, [then] the few guys I had just passed and then him.

“I knew he wasn’t third. Even if you get 3rd and I win that’s a fair amount of point difference, so I was good with that, but sixth is even better.”

Millsaps meanwhile plans to move forward, maintaining the focus and form that that has seen him lead the series from the outset.

“It was a weird night, I did the best I could and salvaged what I could,” Millsaps said. “All in all I had some bad luck tonight but there’s always another night.”

Eight rounds of 450SX racing remain in the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross season. The series will now head to Daytona, Florida this weekend on 9 March for round 10.