The Next Chapter: Ryan Villopoto

It’s been confirmed that nine-time American MX/SX champ, Ryan Villopoto, will contest the FIM MXGP World Championship for the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team in 2015. In a move that’s set to continue his illustrious career, the most decorated current Pro on US shores is making the trip across the Atlantic to announce his ambitions to mix it up in the Grand Prix series.

Having won the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, for the last four years, 26-year-old Villopoto will take on the challenge of the world’s premier outdoor motocross series with the intention of bringing Kawasaki their first-ever World Championship in the MXGP class.

“I am ready for the next chapter in my career and to accomplish new goals,” said Villopoto. “I’ve never been one to look at the record books so when an opportunity like this comes around, to race against the best in the world and represent USA, I have to see it through. It will be a major change of pace, but I am extremely excited about the opportunity and also to be joined by a former champion, like Tyla (Rattray). He knows what is needed to succeed on the world championship stage and I know I can learn a lot from him.”

Racing alongside Villopoto for the Kawasaki Racing Team in the MXGP class will be Tyla Rattray; the 28-year-old South African who won the MX2 World title in 2008 and was a regular race winner during a highly successful career in the USA with Kawasaki.

“For 2015, we are very excited to welcome Ryan Villopoto and Tyla Rattray into the Kawasaki Racing Team,” said Team Owner, Thierry Chizat Suzzoni. “It’s a fantastic challenge for the team and we are aware that the 2015 championship organised by Youthstream is going to be very demanding, but our team is very enthusiastic and has ended this season on a high at the Motocross of Nations so we are going to actively prepare with the goal of taking up this challenge. I would like to thank Kawasaki, Monster Energy and all our partners for helping us to make this project become a reality.”

“Of course we are delighted at Ryan’s decision to continue his career and race for a FIM World title,” Mitch Covington added on behalf of Monster Energy. “One of our goals at Monster Energy is to win. Ryan has proven over and over he is a winner. His nine championships plus Motocross of Nations victories and Monster Energy Cup wins gives me a really good feeling that we have the best rider in the world representing Monster Energy. ”

Commencing in Qatar in late February next year, the FIM Motocross World Championship will run across 18 rounds in four continents. In it’s near 60-year history, the series has crowned just one American in its premier class (Brad Lackey in 1982). The measure of the challenge is clear, yet Ryan’s knack for winning every motocross championship he has lined up for sets the stage for a season that will be hotly contested.