Pre-publication: Exclusive interview with Ryan Villopoto!
We meet Ryan Villopoto at Tyla Rattray's family home. The American is still quietly watching TV with his South African friend, dressed only in shorts. While Tyla's wife lets us in and continues feeding her hungry kids, Ryan puts on a shirt and sits down at the table where I have already taken a seat. This doesn't seem like that so-called 'robot', more like a normal guy enjoying his mandatory time off.
After a brief introduction, we ask what we need to ask and want to know. How is that injured knee? “It is a slow process, I started my European trip on crutches, but fortunately I have already been able to leave them behind. But as I said, it is a slow and long process, especially because it is the third time that I have ruptured a cruciate ligament. I really want to take my time with this one.” Will the 2015 Supercross season be in jeopardy? “No, the plan is that I should be at my best again by then.”
Let's talk for a moment about what a supercross champion does in these times of injuries. It seems like Ryan Villopoto is mostly enjoying doing nothing. Not entirely illogical if 32 weekends of your year are dedicated to your sport and profession. Does he enjoy the obligatory 'European number'? “Yes, yes” Ryan Villopoto replied. “I have been working with Parts Unlimited (Parts Europe) & Thor since I became a professional and even long before that. I love their products, know the people, so it's great to be part of it all and be there here in Europe.” And in addition to a nice PR talk, it also seems to be a lot of truth. Because the visit to the MotoGP scene in Spain left a deep impression on the SX champ.
In the run-up to our interview, we hear several rumors. The rumor storm is heating up in full force. Ryan Villopoto is set to contest the World Championship while others claim the Monster Energy pilot has had enough and wants to hang up his boots. “So far these are just rumors, all contracts have been signed to contest the AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross championships in 2015. My knee injury doesn't change that in principle." So it looks like we'll have to wait a little longer for Tony Cairoli vs. Ryan Villopoto fights. How would such battles turn out? “It's always a bit of comparing apples and oranges. It will never be the same as long as we don't play on the same track, in the same competition. It's a shame that we only meet each other at the 'Motocross des Nations'. It is always difficult to judge there, you are not only driving for yourself but also for your country.” said the Monster Energy Kawasaki pilot. While talking about the 'MXDN', I would also like to gauge what prestige, the most important race of the season for us, still has in the USA. “The date is always a problem for us, because as much as we love this match and the fans who shout, rant and gesture with great enthusiasm, the date always comes as a huge inconvenience. You go from the AMA Motocross season (Aug 23) to the MXDN (Sept 28), in between which there is a month in which we have to continue training. Then it's almost immediately Monster Cup and before you know it it's Anaheim1. You literally don't get time to rest.”
You can read the full interview in the MX Life from next Thursday.
Text: Matthias Van Eeckhoven – Photos: Monster Energy
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