Defending Monster Energy AMA Supercross Champion Ryan Villopoto continues to maintain complete focus on the title despite the absense of his most competitive rivals.

With Chad Reed, Ryan Dungey and James Stewart all forced to the sidelines following a string of shock incidents, Villopoto is the last title favourite standing.

However, an upswing of form for the likes of Justin Brayton and more has taken Villopoto by surprise in recent weeks, causing him to dig deep when it counts in the main events.

“It’s tough to not have a different mindset, but it happens,” Villopoto told Racer X. “With the points lead, you get put in a situation where you don’t want to ride too hard, don’t want to ride over your head, don’t want to make a mistake.

“But then you get put in a situation where they guys like [Justin] Brayton and Jake [Weimer] and some other guys are riding well – I don’t want to sound cocky about it – but you get put in a weird situation and those guys see opportunity.

“I don’t want to say that I’m backing it down, I’m not backing it down, that just sounds cocky. But they see opportunity, then their confidence rises, they start riding better than they have all year, then I’m like ‘don’t make a mistake’ and I kind of ride timid.

“So, it’s tough. The last few weeks Brayton’s been riding really well. I think it caught me a little more off guard last weekend than it did this weekend. This weekend, I was ready for it. I was more prepared.”

Villopoto has a 59-point lead in the series over Dungey entering the Houston, Texas, round, on track to clinch his second straight crown in a matter of weeks if he manages to keep his current form rolling. He could win it at Houston this weekend, or at New Orleans’ 14th round.