Motocross

Ryan Villopoto bounced back from two years of injury and illness to have one of the greatest seasons in motocross history, taking home Supercross and outdoor titles, along with scoring the richest payday in the sport's history.

So what does he plan for an encore?

Well, it's not really a plan. He spent the offseason working to get himself in the best shape possible and will simply climb back on his dirt bike, see where it takes him.

LAS VEGAS -- Normally stoic, even in victory, Ryan Villopoto had a hard time getting the words out.

"We've had a (great) year, to back it up next year is going to be hard, and if we do it'll be another unyear real, un- ... sorry ... unreal year," he said.

Holding a $1 million check will do that to you.

SAO PAULO -- Brazilian motocross rider Swian Zanoni died after losing control of his motorcycle during the last lap of a weekend race. He was 23.

Zanoni apparently struck a tree Sunday in a race in the small city of Orizania, the Brazilian motorcycling confederation said. He sustained a severe neck injury while attempting to overtake another rider.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Her shiny blond hair framing wire-rimmed glasses that look three sizes too big, Ashley Fiolek giggles and smiles as she signs autographs just beyond the steps of California's golden-domed state capitol.

Petite and bubbly, the 20-year-old in neon colors looks more like a rock star than someone who spends her days in the dirt.

In a way, she kind of is.

Deaf since birth and one of the best female motocross riders in the world, Fiolek is an inspiration and role model on two wheels and two feet.

Ryan Villopoto ended his 2010 Supercross season on a stretcher, his leg mangled after a hard-to-watch crash at St. Louis.

A year later, he's on the verge of finishing off a cool comeback story, heading into this weekend's series finale in Las Vegas as the front-runner to win his first Supercross championship.

All Villopoto needs to do is get off to a good start, run near the front and stay on his bike.

The way this strange, jumbled season has gone, that could be tougher than it sounds.

"It's been gnarly because there's five guys that can win every race and you have to be on your game every weekend," Villopoto said "You just have to go out there and do nothing different, show up like it's a regular race."

SALT LAKE CITY -- Just two races remain in the 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, and the competition is tighter than its even been in the history of the sport. Coming into Saturday's 16th stop of the season from Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, four riders sit within nine points of the championship lead and are well within striking distance to claim the coveted title.

Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto is the rider the rest of the field is looking up at in the standings. With five wins to his credit and an impressive finishing average of 2.9 that is top in the class, on paper Villopoto looks like the rider to beat and has been for the majority of the season. With a solid outing at his home race in Seattle two weeks ago, Villopoto will look to maintain his consistency while also aiming for the top of the box, putting additional pressure on his rivals.