Cole Seely Looks For More Early-Season Success in Supercross Lites Class

After an exciting start to the season in front of a sold-out Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Monster Energy AMA Supercross and FIM World Championship heads to Phoenix this weekend for the second race of 2012 from Chase Field. Reigning champion, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto dominated last Saturday night, posting a flag-to-flag win and starting his title defense on a high note. Last weekend, Villopoto made a statement to his rivals with his impressive performance.

After grabbing the Nuclear Cowboyz® Holeshot in the 20-lap main event, Villopoto sprinted through the opening laps, setting an exceptionally quick pace and opening up a healthy advantage over the field. Behind him, TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray Honda’s Chad Reed, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, and Toyota/Yamaha/ JGRMX’s James Stewart engaged in a captivating battle for the runner-up spot that kept the capacity crowd on its feet, in an uproar. Ultimately, a crash by Stewart allowed Reed and Dungey to duel for second, with Reed prevailing. After playing integral roles in the most competitive season in Monster Energy Supercross history in 2011, each of these four riders proved that there is more hotly-contested racing in store for 2012.

The dominant effort by Villopoto not only gives the Washington native the early points lead, but also puts the pressure on his three closest rivals since none were able to contend with the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider once the gate dropped. While Villopoto’s early sprint made it difficult for his competitors to challenge for the win, the “big four” showed their exceptional talent as the only riders in the entire 20-man field to post a lap under 1:02.000 on an extremely technical and challenging track.

Even though Villopoto has delivered the first blow in the championship battle, there is no doubt that Reed, Dungey, and Stewart will be putting in extra hours both on the track and in the gym this week to come back stronger than ever inside Chase Field and respond with their own winning effort. In the opening race of the Western Regional Supercross Lites Class Championship, Troy Lee Designs/ Lucas Oil Honda’s Cole Seely took advantage of a top-three start to grab his third professional victory and lead the point standings for the first time in his career.

The Western Regional Supercross Lites Class is exceptionally deep in young talent, and it showed last Saturday. Seely will look to keep the momentum going this weekend in Phoenix, while is counterparts will also look to assert themselves in the short eight-race championship. SPEED will broadcast the Supercross class race LIVE at 9:30pm EST on January 14, 2012. Tickets are available at the Chase Field Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000,

www.supercrossonline.com, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Practice and qualifying begin at 12:30 p.m., and the main event begins at 7:00 p.m. Club Level tickets are $65 Adult/ Child; Gold Circle $42 Adult/Child; Mid-Level $30 Adult / $10 Child; Supervalue $22 Adult / $10 Child; Treadhead $10 Adult/Child. Fans can also get into the Pits for FREE from 12:30-6 p.m. Race Day when they recycle a MONSTER Energy Can at the stadium Pit Entrance (valid only with event ticket). Credit: Feld Entertainment, Inc.