The 2012 AMA Supercross season is shaping up to be a tight one, with four racers and former champions healthy and jockeying for position on top of the points standings. Ryan Villopoto, Chad Reed, Ryan Dungey and James Stewart have all claimed wins in the first four rounds. After the second Anaheim round, the four contenders, representing four different manufacturers, are separated by just 13 points.
Jumping out to the front for the moment is Monster Energy Kawasaki‘s Ryan Villopoto who picked up his second win of the season, and second at Angel Stadium. Villopoto becomes the first racer to score two wins this season.
The Reigning AMA Supercross Champion took the holeshot and led all 20 laps to win for the win. Villopoto also took the season opening Anaheim I round on Jan. 7.
Villopoto was challenged early on by TwoTwo Motorsports Honda rider Chad Reed, losing the lead momentarily on the opening lap but quickly regaining the advantage.
JGRMX Yamaha rider James Stewart crashed in one of the qualifier heats but made it to the main event through the last chance qualifier. Despite starting from a less-than-ideal starting gate, Stewart was among the leaders at the end of the first lap and moved past Reed to claim second place on lap eight.
Villopoto was well out of reach though, crossing the finish line 4.821 seconds ahead of Stewart and 7.410 seconds ahead of Reed.
“James (Stewart) and Chad (Reed) were riding good tonight,” says Villopoto. “I knew I had to stay on my toes and not make a mistake. We need to take it one race at a time. I had a great start and to be perfect on the start difficult.”
Finishing 17.416 seconds back was Red Bull KTM rider Ryan Dungey in fourth place.
“I am not pleased to finish off the podium for a second weekend in a row. I had a better start in the main event this weekend but I struggled to make my passes and allowed those guys to move ahead,” says Dungey. “I will continue to work on my starts for next weekend and make sure I get my KTM back on the podium to remain in the points chase for the championship.”
After five rounds, Villopoto sits on top of the championship standings with 108 points. Not far off is Reed with 105 points followed by Dungey at 103. After a lackluster start to the season, Stewart now has three podium finishes in as many rounds, putting him fourth at 95 points but within striking distance of the three riders ahead of him.
[Source: AMA Supercross, Yamaha]
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