This weekend of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series was one that one man will never forget. DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing/Yamaha backed Ryan Sipes landed his first-ever win after years of flying under the radar. I sat down with Sipes several weeks ago at which point he told me only one thing would make him happy: the 2011 AMA East Region Lites title. This weekend, in front of his family and all of his friends, Ryan took a big step toward finding that happiness as he battled off Blake Baggett and points-leader Justin Barcia, and claimed his spot on the top step of the podium. MotoXAddicts caught up with an ecstatic Sipes after the race:

Ryan Sipes. Photo by Brian Robinette.

How’s it going, Mr. Indianapolis Supercross winner?

(Laughs) I’m in the gym getting ready for next week already. Gotta get next week’s too!

(Laughs) So you’re already planning a winning streak?

That’s what I’m hoping for. This first one took a while.

So, how was it—the win, the crowd, the celebration? Was it all you expected after six years of working your butt off?

For sure, it was crazy! I really didn’t have time to think about it until afterwards, and then, I couldn’t think about it because everyone was talking to me. (Laughs) It was cool, though. I would say it wasn’t what I was expecting; it was more than I was expecting. It’s still kind of surreal that I got it done. It’s been a crazy road to get here.

Ryan Sipes. Photo by Brian Robinette.

Tell me about the day because, from the early qualifying sessions, on you appeared to be on a mission. Then, when the 450s went out for their first session, only JS7 could beat your time.

Yeah, the whole day was good! After being the number one qualifier in Houston and Atlanta, I knew my speed was there. I just haven’t been aggressive enough in the Main Events to get up there and try to win the thing. Up to this point of the season, I had been holding back a little bit—not really on purpose but maybe a little subconsciously. This week, I focused on making practice not so much about the times but more about getting comfortable, and it ended up turning into good times anyways.

Before Indy, you looked like you were hesitant to mix it up with the young bucks of the class, but in your heat race, I could tell you weren’t playing no more. If anything, what changed before Indy?

Those guys are willing to hang it out every time; no matter what, they’re going for it. I think I may have come into the season not ready to give it up that quick or make mistakes, but that approach ended up working out the opposite of what I had thought. I was actually making more mistakes riding that way. I was being cautious and making mistakes. I decided it’s a short series, I was ready to win, and I knew I could. It was time to get aggressive with it.

Ryan Sipes. Photo by Brian Robinette.

I noticed you looked a lot more aggressive than normal with Barcia in the heat.

I just wanted to be aggressive and challenge him for it. There were places on the track where Justin was a little quicker and places where I was a little quicker, so I just tried to keep the pressure on him. He ended up making a little mistake, and I was able to get by.

So, two-thirds of your mission was complete. You were top qualifier in practice and the number one qualifier out of the heat races. After that, it’s just a given: you should easily win the Main Event, right? Seems easy enough. (Laughs) Tell us about the Main Event.

The Main was basically just like the heat race except instead of Barcia it was Blake in front of me. I tried to do the same thing to Blake as I did to Justin and keep the pressure on him. About the halfway point of the race, he was starting to fumble a little bit, and I said to myself, “Okay, it’s time to try and make this pass.” About two or three turns later, he throws it away. I think it would have been a great race with Blake either way, but it was a little bit of a gift there. I’ll take it either way.

Ryan Sipes. Photo by Brian Robinette.

In my opinion there are no gifts in SX. After that, you still had the points leader breathing down your neck.

Yeah, Justin came up on me for a while, and then he made a mistake and let me get out in front of him a little. Then, there were lappers. I’m really learning to deal with lappers better, but it is what it is. Justin made a good run at me in the end—and he rode great—but I was able to hold on and take it home.

You mention the good run Justin made at you. Do you think that was all him or were nerves of that first win creeping into the picture there at the end?

Nah, I don’t think I really tightened up at all, but there was one point with about three laps to go where I kind of got that nervous feeling coming in. At that point, I just shook my head and said to myself, “No, I’m not doing that this time.” From there, I was able to keep my focus until the end. Justin was definitely pushing it a little bit more than I was at the end, and I probably would have been too at that point if I was in second place, but I was out front this time. I may have been a little bit too cautious. He was going a little bit quicker, but I just wanted to get her home. I really think all that work I’ve been doing with Steve Hatch Racing is what got me home on that one.

Ryan Sipes. Photo by Brian Robinette.

Nice. What about that little “last-ditch effort” Justin threw at you in the last left-hander before the finish. Did you think he might just drive it all the way through you?

I kind of could tell where he was at, and I thought I had enough room—at least enough to know that if he drove it all the way in, he was going to hurt himself as much as it would hurt me. I was confident he was smarter than that. If we did come together, he would have taken us both down for sure. He would have been running into my foot peg. (Laughs) I really think Justin got a lot smarter this year about that kind of stuff. He’s riding a whole lot better too, and I’d say he’s even a tiny bit calmer this year, as well. I watched the video after the race, and you could tell he was ok with second place on that night. In the end, he still extended his points lead on Blake.

Do you think he would be that nice if you guys are battling come Vegas? (Laughs)

Yeah, even just a couple more races into the season, he won’t be that nice. (Laughs) Hopefully, it won’t come down to that.

After the win, how did it feel rolling up to the face of the triple and hearing all of the fans screaming? Were you able to take that all in?

Ryan Sipes. Photo by Brian Robinette.

Yeah, that’s the kind of stuff you dream about: rolling up to the face of the triple, waving to the fans, and then throwing your goggles at them. I just had to do it! That one moment has been on replay in my head now for years and years. It finally really happened!

Well, that’s all I got. I really appreciate you sharing your day with me. Congrats on the first win and good luck the rest of the way. Anyone you want to thank?

No problem, always a good time. First, and as always, I have to thank God. He is the reason I’m here. I also need to thank my team for giving me one last year and bringing me back to win this title. DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing/Yamaha team. Also, every sponsor that helps the team out. The team works so hard, and I’m just so happy I was able to get this done for them after they put so much faith in me. Steve Hatch Racing for getting me ready for this day. PanicRev.org and FCA Motocross, those guys have always been there for me on the spiritual side, and last but not least, all my family and friends for their support through the good and the bad.

SX has always been a young man’s game, but once in a while, a special case arises that can become an amazing story. Ryan Sipes may just be that great story of 2011. Stay tuned, because I think we have only witnessed the beginning.

For the full story on how Ryan got from mini-bikes to the top of the podium, check out our interview with him from last month. You can follow Ryan on Twitter at @r_sipes. Also, be sure to follow @dandunes818 and @MXAddicts_com on Twitter for updates, interviews and Supercross news throughout the week.

Author

Dan Lamb is a 12+ year journalist and the owner of MotoXAddicts.