MNSS SKATEBOARDER GREG LUTZKA WINS IN BERLIN AT THE 2011 WCS TELEKOM PLAYGROUNDS EVENT

The Sports Syndicate's Greg Lutzka recently won the 2011 Telekom Extreme Playgrounds WCS event in Berlin. This unique event is invite only so they always make sure to take real good care of the skaters. The head to head format made for some heated match ups between some of Europe’s best skaters and several more widely known pros that compete on American soil. Greg Lutzka put together big tricks every run including 270 variations on to the rail, Frontside 360 ollies and Frontside Flips over the grass gap, and Backside 180 Flips and Frontside big spins up the stair step up Euro Gap. Lutzka even pulled a Frontside flip to switch Frontside 5-0 down the hubba ledge during the 15 minute Best Trick session.

MNSS MOTOCROSS RACER RYAN VILLOPOTO CASHES IN ON $1 MILLION PAYDAY AT INAUGURAL MONSTER ENERGY CUP

The Sports Syndicate's Ryan Villopoto lead the way to a million dollar payday with a 1-1-1 main event result in the premier class, earning him the coveted $1 Million and a spot in history. While Villopoto had already completed a dream season with championships earned in supercross, motocross and at the Motocross of Nations, he decided to go for one more win at the Monster Energy Cup. With his competition keeping him honest, Villopoto knew that the start would be crucial to breaking away from the pack. He led all 30 laps of the three main event races, which earned him the top prize of $1 Million. “The start was the key to the race tonight and I had an amazing bike underneath me to get me to out front early in every race,” said Villopoto. “We did a lot of testing on the 2012 KX450F and it really showed tonight. I’m really happy all the work paid off so I could win this one for all the people that have stuck by me at Kawasaki.” With the last scheduled race complete, Villopoto will get a chance to take a short break before testing resumes. The countdown now begins for Anaheim 1 that will take place at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on January 7, 2012.

MNSS SNOWBOARDER JOHN JACKSON JOINS THE BURTON SNOWBOARDS TEAM

Burton Snowboards has announced that The Sports Syndicate's pro snowboarder John Jackson will now ride for Burton, representing both hardgoods and softgoods. Burton employees, team riders and industry guests were the first to hear the news, breaking out in cheers and applause all around as John joined his fellow Burton pro riders on stage. John is widely recognized as one of the most dynamic riders in the world and makes it look easy to dominate backcountry terrain. At this year’s TransWorld Riders’ Poll Awards, John became the first snowboarder in history to win ‘Video Part of the Year’ twice. And he didn’t stop there. John also took home his second consecutive ‘Rider of the Year’ award. This year, John continues to blow minds with his part in the highly acclaimed movie, Art of Flight. Now that he’s riding for Burton, John will keep doing what he does best, snowboard and film video parts. “It’s rad to be a part of such an insane company and team who’ve paved the way in snowboarding since the beginning,” said John Jackson. “I can’t wait for the snow to fly to test out some new gear and let ‘er rip. It’s an honor.” To check out John's Welcome To Burton video visit www.burton.com

MNSS MOTOCROSS RACER RYAN VILLOPOTO WINS FINAL MOTO TO HELP TEAM USA EARN SEVENTH STRAIGHT MXON VICTORY

Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto helped lead Team USA to its seventh-straight victory after an impressive third moto win amongst the best in the world at the Motocross of Nations (MXoN) at Circuit du Puy de Poursay in St. Jean-D'Angely, France. After finishing third in his first moto, Villopoto stepped up to claim the best overall result of the day with a 3-1. Going into the final moto of the day, Villopoto knew that his team sat nine points back of France in the overall standings. Compared to a mid-pack start he got in his first moto, Villopoto was near the front and made a great pass for the lead on the fifth lap. "Every win at this event feels incredible," said Villopoto. "This one is definitely special because I haven't raced the event since 2008. It was hard to watch from the sidelines those two years and now that I'm back, it's better than I remembered.” The 65th running of the Motocross of Nations has come to a close and Team USA was able to secure its seventh-straight victory, along with adding another win to make the total 22. The impressive total is the most of any country since the start of the race in 1947. “Being a part of something so significant is definitely special,” said Villopoto. “I’ve been lucky enough to race in four motocross of nations and every time I can’t believe we were able to bring the Chamberlain trophy back to the USA.” For more info about Team USA's win click the link to visit www.kawasaki.com

MNSS MOTOCROSS RACER RYAN VILLOPOTO MAKES 2011 A DOUBLE CHAMPIONSHIP YEAR

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto completed a perfect 2011 season as he earned both the AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Motocross Championship. With Villopoto’s second-place overall finish for the final race at Pala Raceway, he captured his first 450-class motocross championship. 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 twelve 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.” Next, Villopoto will be making the trip to France for the 2011 Motocross of Nations to help Team USA claim another victory. The Motocross of Nations race will take place September 18.

MNSS MOTOCROSS RACER RYAN VILLOPOTO GOES 1-1 FOR FIRST OVERALL AT STEEL CITY TO EXTEND HIS CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS LEAD

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto earned a 1-1 finish at the penultimate round of the series at Steel City Raceway in Delmont, Pa and extended his points lead as he looks to add an AMA Motocross Championship title to the FIM World Supercross Championship he won in May. Villopoto finished on top of the podium in both motos, including a last-lap, last-turn pass in the first moto which helped him extend his points lead to 14. “It was really tough out there,” said Villopoto. “It was pretty slippery also, especially after they watered it, so you had to be careful for the first couple laps until you found your rhythm. I’m really happy with today’s result and I’m looking forward to getting to Pala and wrapping this season up.” The exciting 2011 AMA Motocross season heads to Pala Raceway, near San Diego, Calif. for the final round. With a 14-point lead, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Villopoto knows he has a small cushion in the standings, but he will need to push hard to bring home the title.

MNSS MOTOCROSS RACER RYAN VILLOPOTO TAKES 2ND OVERALL AT SOUTHWICK AND MAINTAINS HIS CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS LEAD

The Sports Syndicate's Ryan Villopoto took 2nd place overall at MX 338 in Southwick, Mass during Round 10 of the AMA Motocross Championship series. Villopoto started the day with the top qualifying time, but track conditions continued to change as rain started to fall. In the first moto, Villopoto got a good start and moved into second and made a push in the final laps, but couldn’t make a pass in time. In the second moto, conditions were even worse and Villopoto did what he needed to keep his bike on two wheels to finish fourth with a combined 2-4 for 2nd overall. “It was pretty gnarly out there during the second moto,” said Villopoto. “Even with the sand, the track was slick and it was hard to get into a groove. I knew I wanted to make sure I didn’t go down because it is really hard to get going again with your hands covered in mud and sand. I would have liked to have left with more than a one-point gain in the championship, but we did get another point ahead of second. Villopoto will try to extend his eight-point lead in the 450 class at the next race at Steel City Raceway in Delmont, Pa.