First ever one-two-three finish by a manufacturer

MILLVILLE, Minn. (Aug 13, 2007) – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Ryan Villopoto captured the overall victory in the AMA Motocross Lites class at the ninth round of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship. Teammates Ben Townley and Brett Metcalfe joined him atop the podium to take the second and third positions, respectively, for the first-ever one-two-three finish by a manufacturer in AMA Motocross history.

Performances by Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki riders placed the Kawasaki KX™250F in all six Lites class podium positions, another first-ever among manufacturers.

The fight for the AMA Motocross Lites Championship was at a pinnacle coming into Spring Creek Motocross Park as Townley and Villopoto sat just two points apart at the top of the standings. After a weekend of intense competition battling back and fourth and swapping moto wins, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammates headed home in the same situation.

In the first moto, it was Townley who capitalized on great lines and corner speed to lead him to the victory. “Ryan passed me pretty fast on the first lap and I hung with him. I knew I couldn’t let him get away and I didn’t,” said Townley. “I countered and was able to stay with him. I am not sure what he did or what happened but I got into the lead and just did my deal and won the race.”

In moto two Villopoto put in an inspired ride for the win and earned the overall victory (2-1). “I definitely didn’t get the start I wanted in the second moto,” he said, “but I tend to ride a little bit different when something like that happens. From now on, I think I need to get around fifth-place starts.”

Metcalfe, who has been plagued with injury throughout his first season with the team, put in an impressive performance and came away with a 3-3 finish for third overall. Overwhelmed with emotion and finally back in the game, he let his emotions show on the podium. “It’s really been a tough year and it’s been my goal all along to make it happen. And you dream of that moment and when it finally happened it really got to me. I am just so excited.”

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Chris Gosselaar finished in the 22nd position.

In the AMA Motocross division, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Timmy Ferry had trouble off the start of both motos, including getting tangled up in a crash in moto one that placed him at the back of the pack, and finished with a 8-6 moto finish, placing him sixth overall. “It was a really rough day for me,” said Ferry. “I have had some great weeks and this was not one of them. I struggled with starts and just never could get going. But we still left tied for the points lead and that’s good considering I fell in the first turn and got ran over.”

Ferry was able to overtake his Monster Energy Kawasaki teammate James Stewart in the point standings and is now tied for the lead with three rounds remaining. Stewart missed the Millville race due to a knee injury and his status is uncertain for the remainder of the season.