The Dirt

Monster Energy Cup - Ricky Carmichael Excited to be Part of the Track Design Team

2011-10-16T14:14:00.000-07:00

Villopoto wins Monster Energy Cup

2011-10-16T14:06:00.000-07:00

Villopoto wins Monster Energy Cup

By B.J. Smith
ESPN.com

Chris TedescoThe million dollar race winner, Ryan Villopoto.

Ryan Villopoto is laughing all the way to ... Bora Bora. Villopoto, who was recently married and postponed his honeymoon to be at the Monster Energy Cup supercross race at Las Vegas' Sam Boyd Stadium, led every single lap of all three main events to win $1 million, the largest cash prize ever offered for racing a dirt bike.

The one-off race was held with a unique format of three 10-lap main events on a hybrid track that featured supercross and motocross obstacles. The $1M prize was only available to any rider who could win all three main events. At only 10 laps each, many believed a sweep was nearly impossible since the majority of professional supercross racers are fast enough for 10 laps. They're not as fast as Ryan Villopoto, who ends 2011 with the AMA Supercross and Motocross titles, as a Motocross of Nations winning team member and now has his name engraved on the 217-pound Monster Energy Cup trophy. With a 1:30 average, lap times for the race were nearly twice as long as a normal supercross, making the three 10-lap main events seem like 60 laps of a traditional race. The strongest rider was going to win. Riders called the track, "Fun but tough," and Villopoto had the same message after the first two main event wins; "I just want to leave here tonight healthy," he said.

The closest Villopoto came to being challenged was in the third and final main event when Mike Alessi pulled the holeshot and led half of the first lap. Villopoto was shut out of his first pass attempt but used an aggressive inside move to take the lead on lap one. Just like in the previous two finals, he had a nearly 10-second lead at the halfway point. "I'm supposed to be on my honeymoon right now but I guess this is a good present for that. It's a cool one-off race and I'm a million dollars richer now," said Villopoto from the podium after the race. "It's been hell of a year for all of us. It will be hard to have another one of these."

John IgrasRyan Villopoto completed a grand slam: In 2011 he won the AMA Supercross and Motocross titles, the Motocross of Nations and the Monster Energy Cup.

Ryan Dungey, who didn't commit to the event until two days ago, had less than two weeks of testing on his new KTM. He was off Villopoto's pace but finished a solid second overall with 3-2-2 scores. Dungey's former teammate at Suzuki, Brett Metcalfe, took third overall with 4-3-3. Martin Davalos was a quiet but impressive fourth overall with 7-7-5.

Other riders who were present at the Monster Energy Cup and trying out new equipment included Mike Alessi, (10th) on his privateer Suzuki; Ben Townley (15th) on a Monster Pro Circuit Kawasaki; Nick Wey (7th) on a private Kawasaki.

In the $40,000 Best Trick competition, Australia's Mark Monea landed the Carry On, a front flit 360, which bested Jackson Strong's front flip. "I've landed it six or seven times before tonight but never in a competition," Monea said. "There is a big difference in landing it in practice and landing it when the pressure of a competition is on."

Kyle Loza failed on his attempt at the bike flip but walked away unhurt.
According to Feld Motor Sports, the 2012 Monster Energy Cup will be held on October 20, again at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Malcolm Stewart - JDR KTM

2011-10-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

GoPro HD: Chad Reed Full Press Day Lap at Pala Raceway 2011

2011-10-10T11:03:00.000-07:00

Product Report: Alpinestars Tech 8 Light

2011-10-10T10:58:00.000-07:00

Product Report: Alpinestars Tech 8 Light

By Chris

ALPINESTARS TECH 8 LIGHT

Available in white only, in sizes 5 to 15
PRICE: $459.95
FEATURES
-Weighs in 15 percent lighter than the previous version.
-Hi-tech Microfiber and leather for the optimum combination of durability, abrasion and tear resistance.
-Exclusive fully replaceable, high grip, dual-density rubber outsole.
-Dual sliding blade mechanisms on the front and rear of the boot offer progressive resistance to fore and aft movement.
-Revised closure system features 4 new self-aligning, quick release aluminum buckles with memory adjustment for precise closure.
-Replaceable kick starter protection insert located on the right boot.
-New ergonomic ankle construction means no break-in is required for comfortable riding.

WHAT WE LIKE
- Thanks to the use of synthetic materials in the boot’s upper section, the Tech 8 Light is incredibly easy to break in. In fact, it was only a matter of laps before we forgot that we had new boots on.
- Thanks to the minimalist booty, the toe box of the boot has been downsized, too. This results in a more streamlined boot that has a better feel for the shifter.
- The design of the Tech 8 Light makes even the Tech 10 look clunky.
- The boots are noticeably lighter than other high-end boots with a booty or hinge design.

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE
- Some of our testers actually feel safer in a heavier, thicker boot.
- The Tech 8 Light is available in white only.

WHAT WE REALLY THINK
One of the most comfortable boots ever offered by Alpinestars, the Tech 8 Light is perfect for the rider who is looking for maximum protection and comfort, with a minimalist feel.

Ronnie Renner ride sesh

2011-09-26T13:16:00.000-07:00

Ronnie Renner shreds Chad Reed's track in Florida.

Black Friday

2011-08-31T08:20:00.001-07:00

motostarmx.com

2011-08-15T20:21:00.000-07:00

Check out this new company in the motocross scene, they are looking for riders.
http://www.facebook.com/www.motostarmxteam?sk=wall

Front flip @ X Games

2011-08-15T20:17:00.000-07:00

Pretty cool young up and coming rider throwing it down at X-Games 17!

Twitch injured after X-Games

2011-08-06T20:16:00.000-07:00

Catching Up With Twitch

2011-08-06T20:01:00.000-07:00

Adams wins at X-Fighters

2011-08-06T19:40:00.000-07:00

Nate Adams Pulls off another win at X-Fighters, this win will move him to number one in the overall points standings.....Nice job Nate

Sal Masekela's X Games 17 Wrap

2011-08-01T08:51:00.000-07:00

Nate Adams killing it at X Games 17

2011-08-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

Nate Adams wins Speed and Style

Adams wins Moto X Freestyle

"The Dirt" was at Washougal

2011-07-25T21:25:00.000-07:00

"The Dirt" Girls reping the brand loud and proud!

Crazy fans at Washougal

Highlights from Washougal

2011-07-25T20:42:00.001-07:00

Chad Reed goes flying at Spring Creek

2011-07-17T10:34:00.001-07:00

Keith Sayers will jump over Sparky's Garage during Evel Days

2011-07-16T11:44:00.000-07:00

Keith Sayers, known as "Godson of Evel Knievel," will perform the highlight stunt at this year's Evel Knievel Days by attempting a motorcycle jump over Sparky's Garage building in Uptown.

Sayers, 29, of Butte plans to do a back-flip, distance jump over the restaurant at 222 E. Park St. on the final day of the festival July 23 at 7:30 p.m., Sayers announced Tuesday morning. The plan is to jump the building from east to west on his Yamaha YZ 250 dirt bike.

In order to jump the building, Sayers will have to clear a 17-foot high wall and clear the 90-foot length of the brick structure.

Renner and his crew in Oregon

2011-07-10T13:17:00.000-07:00

Ronnie Renner, Steve Haughelstine, and the rest of the crew came to the Oregon dunes to shred some sand!

MOB Syndicate Ocotillo Wells

2011-07-10T10:43:00.001-07:00

Beaumont Hills: Engle / Bereman / Samuels / Marada

2011-07-05T12:57:00.001-07:00

The Beaumont Hills

2011-07-05T12:54:00.001-07:00

Ronnie Renner tour next weekend in Oregon!

2011-06-26T22:05:00.000-07:00

2011 Budds Creek National Post-Show

2011-06-20T20:49:00.001-07:00

High Point National GoPro Edit

2011-06-20T20:46:00.001-07:00