Villopoto has control of the series going into Atlanta. Image: Simon Cudby.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto leads the title chase into Atlanta on a three-straight win streak.

With the unfortunate exit of main competitor Chad Reed, Villopoto’s title hopes are looking even more promising. At the previous stop in Dallas, Villopoto took the main event lead with Reed following hot on his heels.

The duo set a blazing pace, pulling away from the pack. Only to have Reed go down hard in a sand section, suffering a DNF, putting himself out of the series with a list of injuries sustained in the crash.

Villopoto now leads by 13 points over second place KTM mounted Ryan Dungey. With Reed out for the remainder of the series, the door is now left wide open for riders to move up the championship ladder.

The defending 2011 450 champion will be looking to take advantage of Reed’s unfortunate situation and keep this win streak alive, he now sits in the box seat to run away with the title as the series heads into round eight in Atlanta.