The 2011 Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship, season got underway on Saturday in front of a sold out crowd at Angel Stadium.

The most anticipated season in the history of the sport was kicked-off by with a convincing win by Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto.

As the gates dropped on the Supercross class main event, Dodge/Hart & Huntington Kawasaki’s Ivan Tedesco raced to the holeshot with Villopoto and Red Bull KTM’s Mike Alessi in tow.

Villopoto made quick work of Alessi, taking over the top spot on the first lap before going wire-to-wire for his 10th career win in the class.

“This is a nice way to start out the season,” said Villopoto. “Starting out this way makes things much easier. I hope I can start putting together some more wins and a championship this year.”

Defending Monster Energy Supercross Champion Ryan Dungey finished second overall aboard his Rockstar/Makita Suzuki, gradually working his way into the runner-up spot and never relinquishing it.

“I got off to a decent start and had to play some catch up out there,” said Dungey. “During the week, I’m going to work hard to get ready for Phoenix. I’m glad that I put my Suzuki up on the box tonight.”

San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart rounded out the overall podium in third, overcoming a mid-pack start to methodically work his way into podium position on lap 12.

“I almost went down a few times,” said Stewart. “Next week, I’ll work on my starts and be prepared for Phoenix. I tried my best to get up there. Once I got into third, I tried to make up some time on Ryan [Dungey] but ran out of laps.”

Fourth was Honda’s Trey Canard, while Australia’s Chad Reed rebounded from a slow start to capture fifth on his TwoTwo Motorsports Honda.

Countryman Brett Metcalfe was eighth in his debut for Rockstar Makita Suzuki, while 18-year-old Tye Simmonds narrowly missed a main event start with fourth in the LCQ after taking 10th in his heat.

In the opening race of the Supercross Lites Western Regional Championship, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Josh Hansen led a clean sweep of the podium by Kawasaki.

In his debut for the team, Broc Tickle grabbed the early lead and led for eight laps before getting passed by Australasian Super X Champion Hansen just at the finish line.

The duo then opened up a considerable gap over the field.

“I’m happy to be here and get back on my feet and head down the right path,” said Hansen. I have a great crew around me, and I am really excited about tonight.

“I have a lot of people to thank for sticking by me. I’m excited for the season.”

Supercross Lites class rookie Tyla Rattray completed the Pro Circuit sweep in third.

Australian regular Ryan Marmont took 14th after qualifying directly from his heat race in what was his AMA debut for JDR/J-Star/KTM.

The series will enter round two next weekend at Phoenix in Arizona.

Click here for a full Aussie analysis from the season opener

Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship

Anaheim 1 Supercross Class Results
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
4. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda
5. Chad Reed, Australia, Honda
6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
7. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
8. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Suzuki
9. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda
10. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM

Supercross Class Season Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 25
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki – 22
3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 20
4. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda – 18
5. Chad Reed, Australia, Honda – 16
6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda – 15
7. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki – 14
8. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Suzuki – 13
9. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda – 12
10. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM – 11

Anaheim 1 Supercross Lites Class Western Regional Results
1. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki
2. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki
3. Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki
4. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki
5. Cole Seely, Corona, Calif., Honda
6. Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki
7. Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM
8. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda
9. Nick Paluzzi, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha
10. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
14. Ryan Marmont, Australia, KTM

Supercross Lites Class Western Regional Season Standings
1. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki – 25
2. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki – 22
3. Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki – 20
4. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki – 18
5. Cole Seely, Corona, Calif., Honda – 16
6. Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki – 15
7. Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM – 14
8. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda – 13
9. Nick Paluzzi, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha – 12
10. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda – 11