Ryan Villopoto leads the 450SX charge into Toronto’s round 12 of the Monster Energy Supercross series. Image: Simon Cudby.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto will head to Toronto this weekend in a bid to further extend his three-race win streak at the only Canadian event on the Monster Energy Supercross schedule.

The Toronto stop will mark just the third race this season in which Villopoto’s bike will carry the red number plate that signifies the 450SX championship leader.

After losing possession of the plate at the first race of the season in Anaheim, Villopoto has overcome a 16th place start to the championship to make up a deficit in the standings that was as large as 27 points following the sixth race of the season.

After taking over the points lead from Millsaps for the first time two races ago, Villopoto has almost opened a double-digit margin over the Rockstar Energy Racing rider.

During the 2012 stop from the Rogers Centre, over 47,000 Canadian fans watched as Villopoto raced to his seventh win of the season. Coincidentally, he has the opportunity to capture win number seven once again in Toronto this year.

Behind the lead duo of Villopoto and Millsaps sits Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey. Dungey, a former winner in Toronto, sits just eight points behind Millsaps and looks to be gaining momentum as the season continues.

GEICO Honda’s Will Hahn will lead the 250SX class into Toronto’s round 12 this weekend, but he has a pool of talented riders on his heels challenging the veteran of the class.

Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin has earned himself two-straight wins at the last two rounds, proving he is a strong contender. Expect the former MX2 FIM Motocross World Champion to be working towards keeping that streak alive in Toronto.

One rider that will not be on the line in Toronto is Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson. Wilson suffered a hard fall at round 11 in Indianapolis and will be unable to attend his home race in Canada.

In the championship, Musquin now moves to within nine points of Hahn, who finished third in Indianapolis. Musquin also took over second in the standings after Wilson bowed out of the previous round.

Last year’s eastern regional 250SX class race in Toronto featured battle for the win between Justin Barcia who now contests the 450SX class with Honda Muscle Milk, and Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen who currently leads the 250SX west region series.