Vans Signs Ryan Villopoto to Multi-Year Deal

Cypress, CA (December 19, 2007) – Everyone at Vans is very excited to announce a recently signed multi-year agreement with rising young motocross rider Ryan Villopoto.  In 2007, the 19-year-old Villopoto won both the AMA Supercross and Motocross Lites Championships.  In 2008, Villopoto will ride his final season in the Lites class and he will also get to see his first endorsed shoe, the Vans Tolan, hit stores in June with two specially-designed colorways.

Photo Ed Subias/Vans

Although Villopoto has now been riding professionally for two-plus years, his relationship with Vans goes back to when he was a 13-year-old amateur and received flow Vans shoes.  After an amateur career in which he dominated at virtually every level, Villopoto became one of the few pros to win in his rookie season by taking the 2006 Motocross Lites Championship and winning Rookie of the Year.  He followed that up with his dual Supercross and Motocross Lites titles in 2007.  Ryan was also a member of the 2006 and 2007 Team USA Motocross des Nations championship squads.  Villopoto’s cover photos on back-to-back December and January issues of Transworld Motocross and the January 2008 issue of RacerX with both magazines naming Villopoto their Rider of the Year cement Ryan’s place at the top of the motocross world as we enter 2008.

“It’s great to work with Vans because they are able to offer so much to support me and my motocross career,” said Villopoto.

“We’ve been amazed by Ryan’s progression over the past few years and look forward to supporting Ryan in his last season on the Lites circuit before making the jump to the 450s in 2009,” said Vans’ Vice President of Marketing Doug Palladini.

Ryan’s sponsors in addition to Vans include Monster Energy Drink, Pro Circuit, Kawasaki, Thor, Alipinestars, Scott and Ogio.

Joining Ryan Villopoto on the Vans motocross team are pros Michael Byrne, Brett Metcalfe, Austin Stroupe, Nick Wey and Ashley Fiolek, amateurs Adam Cianciarulo and Eli Tomac plus freestyle riders Mat Rebaud and Myles Richmond.  Vans also supports the famed Pro Circuit racing program.

Photo Ed Subias/Vans