After 11 rounds of competition and a summer full of the best motocross racing on the planet, the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship will come to a dramatic conclusion this Saturday as Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto and Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey prepare to take the 450 class championship to the wire.
While TwoTwo Motorsports’ Chad Reed has dropped back in the battle after his now legendary Millville crash and mechanical issues at Southwick, the two Ryans have battled neck and neck, with last week’s battle at Steel City setting the scene for what should be an epic showdown at Pala.
The first moto saw Dungey leading the way from the start, with Villopoto searching for an opportunity to get by throughout the race. The distance between the two riders see sawed through the entire moto, until a last ditch effort by Villopoto put him alongside Dungey coming out of the final corner, and ultimately signified the biggest moto win of the year for the points leader. The successful result of the pass has made it one of the most memorable moments in series history, and could be the defining moment in the outcome of the championship.
Following Villopoto’s double moto sweep at Steel City, 14 points now separate he and Dungey heading into Pala Raceway. With the double-digit advantage in his favor, Villopoto has put the pressure on Dungey, who will look to remain undefeated at the newest facility in American Motocross, following a dominant 1-1 effort one year ago. Should Dungey accomplish that task, and shift the momentum back into his favor, Villopoto would need a minimum finish of fourth in each moto to secure his first 450 Class title.