Ryan Villopoto was crowned the AMA Motocross Lites championship on Sunday (9 September) at Glen Helen Raceway capping off an amazing season that saw Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki riders win all three major titles in the AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross Lites classes.

Villopoto, who claimed sole possession of the points’ lead at Steel City, took control of his own destiny with a dominant win in the first moto and then followed that up with a championship-winning second place finish in moto two. He finished second place overall and secured enough points to clinch his second-consecutive AMA Motocross Lites title.

“This year has been amazing,” said Villopoto. “The racing has been so close with Ben and there just wasn’t any room for slip-ups. You really had to bring your “A” game every single moto. It was a long hard fight and I have to say that Ben is an extremely talented rider and I am fortunate for being able to race against him.”

Teammate Ben Townley, who trailed by 19 points heading into the final round, fell short of erasing his large point deficit but still turned in a fine ride en route to a 2-1 moto finish and the overall win, his sixth of the season. Townley finished second overall on the season.

“It’s hard to swallow losing a championship, but I have to admit that I have had a great year,” said Townley. “I have had a whole season without any injuries, a supercross title and an outdoor season that went all the way to the wire. It has been an awesome experience with the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team and I feel like I couldn’t have been in a better place.”

AMA Motocross Lites, Moto Finishes
1. BEN TOWNLEY, TALLAHASSEE, FLA., KAWASAKI, 2-1
2. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POULSBO, WASH., KAWASAKI, 1-2
3. BRETT METCALFE, MURRIETA, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 3-3
4. Broc Hepler, Kittanning, Pa., Yamaha, 5-5
5. AUSTIN STROUPE, LINCOLNTON, N.C., KAWASAKI, 10-4
6. Martin Davalos, Cario, Ga., KTM, 7-6
7. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 6-7
8. Trey Canard, Elk City, Okla., Honda, 4-12
9. Nico Izzi, Saint Clair, Mich., Suzuki, 8-11
10. KYLE CHISHOLM, SEMINOLE, FLA., KAWASAKI, 14-8

AMA Motocross Lites, Final Point Standings
1. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POULSBO, WASH., KAWASAKI, 544
2. BEN TOWNLEY, TALLAHASSEE, FLA., KAWASAKI, 525
3. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 346
4. Jason Lawrence, Murrieta, Ga., Yamaha, 277
5. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 267
6. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 255
7. BRETT METCALFE, MURRIETA, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 242
8. Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 220
9. Martin Davalos, Cario, Ga., KTM, 203
10. Broc Tickle, Cary, N.C., Yamaha, 201