Ryan Villopoto moved himself within 12 points of the 450SX series lead with his St. Louis win. Image: Simon Cudby.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto has inched closer to the 450SX points lead after taking the win at round nine of the Monster Energy Supercross series inside St. Louis’ Edward Jones Dome.

It was Motoconcepts’ Mike Alessi who took the Nuclear Cowboyz holeshot and lead early in the main event, before a freight train of riders moved in behind him pushing the pace.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart quickly acquired the lead spot during lap one, before JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha’s Kyle Chisholm took a hard fall which resulted in a single-file race restart.

Villopoto was docked three positions for passing under a yellow flag, which pushed him back three spots for the restart. Stewart, Honda Muscle Milk’s Justin Barcia and TwoTwo Motorsports’ Chad Reed held the top three positions as the race got underway for the second time.

Villopoto put in a strong charge, bridging the gap to Stewart and battling it out for the lead. Barcia would also make a push, passing Stewart for second place before making a mistake which allowed Reed to slip into third.

Behind Villopoto, Stewart and Reed, it was Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey in fourth with Barcia finishing up the race in fifth. Rockstar Energy Racing’s Davi Millsaps suffered his worst result of the season with a sixth.

Millsaps maintains his 450SX points lead heading into round 10, although Villopoto, the defending champion, took a large bite into his lead, slimming it down to just 12 points. Dungey remains third overall in points while Australia’s Reed sits fifth.

The 250SX east region saw their first two-time winner of the season, with GEICO Honda’s Will Hahn putting in another impressive ride following his maiden 250SX victory last weekend.

Hahn scored the Nuclear Cowboyz holeshot with Rockstart Energy Racing’s Blake Wharton following closely behind him – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson was not so fortunate.

As Hahn and Wharton made a run for the lead, Wilson was forced to make his way through the pack after a bad start. The round one winner moved his way into third spot on lap three.

While Hahn continued to lay down solid laps in the lead spot, Wilson made his way past Wharton for second and continued to make charge his way to the front.

Hahn and Wilson traded places during lap 12 of the 15-lap main event, but the move did not stick, Hahn quickly regaining the lead and riding away to his second career victory.

Behind Hahn it was Wilson in second with Wharton rounding out the podium, Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin was fourth followed by rookie Jeremy Martin of the Star Racing Yamaha team in fifth.

Australia’s Jackson Richardson was unable to qualify for the 250SX main event in St.Louis, scoring a fifth place finish in the ultra competitive LCQ race.

The 2013 Monster Energy Supercross series now heads to Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida for round 10 on 9 March.

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