Ryan Villopoto was crowned 2013 450 class AMA Pro Motocross Champion at Utah. Image: Simon Cudby.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto has reflected upon a dominant season of AMA Pro Motocross competition, attributing his 2013 450 class title to the willingness of his team to work hard in weekday testing.

Villopoto won 16 of the 24 motos contested en route to wrapping up the championship a round early at last week’s Utah National at Miller Motorsports Park.

He was shadowed in the early stages by Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, the defending champion, but when Dungey faltered at RedBud Villopoto surged onwards, building an unbeatable buffer that has included clean sweeps at the last two rounds.

Villopoto described a special synergy with the factory Kawasaki team, one that clearly works well as he has been able to secure every championship he has contested over the past three years.

“This season has been a good one for me and the team,” said Villopoto. “We worked really well together to improve the bike every week.

“We would spend a lot of time during the week testing and to have all that hard work pay off is awesome.”

The number one plate will return to Villopoto’s KX 450F full-time in 2014, with the rider from Poulsbo in Washington taking both Supercross and Motocross crowns.

Following the season finale at Lake Elsinore this weekend, Villopoto will undergo scheduled ankle surgery to remove a bone spur, with aims to return in readiness for the Monster Energy Cup on 19 October.