Irvine, Calif. (July 9, 2015) – Following his announcement today, Monster Energy Kawasaki would like to congratulate Ryan Villopoto on an amazing Supercross/Motocross career. Villopoto’s entire professional resume was built on a Monster Energy Kawasaki KX™ and he leaves the sport as one of the most successful riders in history. The Poulsbo, Washington native joined Kawasaki Team Green™ in 2003 and for the last 13 years has found incredible success with Kawasaki.

“Ryan defines the word champion,” said Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A. Vice President of Marketing Chris Brull. “Since he started with Kawasaki on Team Green, Ryan has pushed himself and Kawasaki to be better every year. His dedication to his craft has paid off in the championships that he has won, and the developments we have been able to make throughout our KX line. Ryan will always be a part of the Kawasaki family and I speak for everyone at Kawasaki when I wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Villopoto’s first national title came on a KX™125 at the AMA Amateur National Championships at Loretta Lynn’s in 2005. After turning pro, he went on to sweep three consecutive AMA Motocross championships from 2006-2008 in the 250 class while also claiming the 2007 250SX AMA Supercross West Regional championship. Villopoto is one of only four riders to ever win three consecutive 250 class titles. Once he moved up to the KX™450F, Villopoto won four straight Monster Energy AMA Supercross titles from 2011-2014 while also claiming two AMA Pro Motocross titles (2011, 2013.) Villopoto’s nine professional AMA national championships places him second in the record books behind only Ricky Carmichael.

“We have sponsored Ryan and his teams throughout his entire career,” said Monster Energy Vice President of Sports Marketing Mitch Covington. “Since 2006, Ryan has been able to give us everything we have asked for on and off the track. He is a great racer who started to build his legend from the first time he lined up on the starting gate as a Pro. We look forward to seeing the next chapter in the Ryan Villopoto story.”

With all of his success in the United States, Villopoto set his eyes on the MXGP World Championship in 2015 as part of the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team in Europe.  After earning an overall win in the second round of the series, Villopoto was injured in a crash at the fourth round of the series and has been unable to race.

“Ryan brought a real buzz to the MXGP World Championship this season that was incredible to witness and be a part of,” said Kawasaki Motors Europe Racing Manager Steve Guttridge. “It is such a shame that he was only able to compete at the first four rounds because I honestly believe that Ryan was adjusting well to the big change of racing around the world as he became more acclimatized to the different circuits and race format in MXGP’s. Though his time over here did not go as planned due to the unfortunate injury, everyone on our team is proud to have worked with Ryan and we have all gained a massive amount of experience in the process.”

In retirement, Villopoto will continue to be a part of Kawasaki.  We plan to see him continue in the industry because of his deep connection to the Kawasaki brand and the sport of motocross.