Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto feels a sense of relief after wrapping up the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship at Pala Raceway on the weekend.

A solid second half of the season riding Kawasaki’s 2012 model KX450F assisted in adding the outdoor title to the AMA Supercross crown he clinched in May.

After a successful supercross season, Villopoto was challenged to could come out and make it a double championship year with the AMA Motocross championship.

He started the season riding with the flu, but still managed to make the podium week in and week out. It is said championships are won with consistency and Villopoto never finished off the podium in all 12 rounds.

“I didn’t start the season how I wanted,” said Villopoto. “I was getting over the flu and didn’t have a lot of energy the first round. Then things started to pick up when I got my first win.

“I just wanted to be there every weekend for a shot at the championship. It feels great to back up my supercross season and hopefully we can come out and do it again next year.”

Villopoto eventually won the title by a 12-point margin over lats year’s champion, Ryan Dungey.