American former Grand Prix motocross rider Ryan Hughes offers his opinion about how current USA champion Ryan Villopoto might fare in Europe in 2015.

Although the official confirmation of Villopoto’s move was only released yesterday, even back in August, the idea that Villopoto might be accepting this fresh challenge was being considered and the crew at www.BikesportNZ.com put a few pertinent questions to Hughes about the prospect.

Of course, two months later, the rumours of Villopoto’s move have now become fact and this therefore gives Hughes’ comments even more resonance.

Hughes is the perfect man to give an opinion on how Villopoto might fare in Europe.

Hughes was on the US team that won the 2000 Motocross of Nations at St Jean d’Angely, in France (with equally-famous riders Ricky Carmichael and Travis Pastrana as his team-mates).

He was a member of the US team that finished runner-up at the Motocross of Nations at Sverepec, in Slovakia, in 1995 (with Steve Lamson and Jeff Emig as team-mates) and was again part of a runner-up result by Team USA, in Zolder, in Belgium, in 2003 (with Ricky Carmichael and Tim Ferry as his team-mates).

Riding for the Pamo Honda Team, Hughes also spent a year in Europe racing the Motocross Grand Prix scene, finishing fourth overall in the 250cc class in 1999, behind Frenchman Frédéric Bolley, Germany’s Pit Beirer and French rider David Vuillemin.

He had raced a handful of 250cc GPs the previous year, too, finishing the season 17th overall.

© Words, photo and video by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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