-
Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
Supercross & Motocross
AMA MX: Interview - ‘12 Champion Ryan Dungey
Newly-crowned AMA Motocross champ Ryan Dungey talks to SPEED.com about his dominant '12 season and his rapid ascension into all-time territory.
Red Bull/KTM's Ryan Dungey (Photo: Hoppenworld.com)
Just ten days ago, Ryan Dungey captured his second Lucas Oil Pro Motocross 450 Class Championship in three years. A dominant season has already led to eight consecutive victories for Dungey, with his sights set on upping his streak to 10 over the final two rounds of his title-winning campaign. Should he win out, Dungey would match his historic rookie win total from 2010 when he also wrapped the championship with two rounds remaining.
Dungey’s meteoric rise to the upper echelon of the sport’s premier division has already put him in the discussion for inclusion among the greatest riders of all time at just the age of 22. His statistics through three seasons of 450 Class competition mirror those of 'The GOAT,' Ricky Carmichael. Incredibly, Dungey is already third on the all-time wins list in the division.
Dungey embarked on a new journey this season, joining forces with the relatively unproven Red Bull KTM squad which had enjoyed virtually no success at the premier level. Following a promising Supercross season that was ended prematurely due to injury, Dungey has vaulted KTM into true contender status, proving that the manufacturer's U.S. makeover, now in its second full season with Roger DeCoster at the helm, was what was required to turn around its fortunes.
SPEED.com caught up with Ryan to talk about his season and all that went into making this “gamble” as he put it, happen, and how it feels to be one of the most successful riders of all time so early in his career.
You’ve won two titles in three years, which speaks for itself. Both of those championships were dominant and as a result you are now in the greatest riders of all time discussion. What does that mean to you?
It’s definitely a dream come true. Being a kid and seeing how dominant guys like (Jeremy) McGrath and Carmichael were, I only hoped to come in and have a successful career. Or even just make it as a professional for that matter, and have that opportunity. I’ve been fortunate. It’s been a great season and to be able to wrap up my second motocross championship feels great. We worked hard and this one probably feels a little sweeter because of being on the new team at KTM. It was a big step for them and myself in moving forward in the sport. I feel like everyone did a great job and we continue to push forward. It’s great to have been successful, but it’s important not to settle.
In 2010 you might have caught everyone off guard with your success because you were a rookie. The same could be said for this season aboard a KTM that no one knew what to expect. Based on how successful each respective season was, how do you compare the two?
It’s hard to compare (them). They each were a lot of fun, but they were also two separate seasons. Each season has its own special memory and feeling for each win and championship. Suzuki was great in 2010. I was a rookie, and to win races off the bat was awesome and it really helped me (with) my confidence. But this year, the circumstances were a little bit different.
We were coming in with a new team and a brand-new 450 that KTM put into the works a whole year earlier in order to be ready. In signing with them, they were committed to winning. They were committed to coming over here (in America) and be dominant just like they are in Europe. To be able to do that and believe in me to help make that happen (is awesome). I think we work great together as a team and when you have a great atmosphere its fun.
Winning doesn’t come easy, but we all worked together for the same end result. I’m proud of what we’ve done. There weren’t many records to break, but to have a bike that we can build up over the next few years is what I want to do. It’s been a great match for me (at KTM). We’ve got some wins in Supercross and outdoors, and now a championship, but its time to keep winning more races and more championships and make KTM a top contender in the states.
Dungey’s meteoric rise to the upper echelon of the sport’s premier division has already put him in the discussion for inclusion among the greatest riders of all time at just the age of 22. His statistics through three seasons of 450 Class competition mirror those of 'The GOAT,' Ricky Carmichael. Incredibly, Dungey is already third on the all-time wins list in the division.
Dungey embarked on a new journey this season, joining forces with the relatively unproven Red Bull KTM squad which had enjoyed virtually no success at the premier level. Following a promising Supercross season that was ended prematurely due to injury, Dungey has vaulted KTM into true contender status, proving that the manufacturer's U.S. makeover, now in its second full season with Roger DeCoster at the helm, was what was required to turn around its fortunes.
SPEED.com caught up with Ryan to talk about his season and all that went into making this “gamble” as he put it, happen, and how it feels to be one of the most successful riders of all time so early in his career.
You’ve won two titles in three years, which speaks for itself. Both of those championships were dominant and as a result you are now in the greatest riders of all time discussion. What does that mean to you?
It’s definitely a dream come true. Being a kid and seeing how dominant guys like (Jeremy) McGrath and Carmichael were, I only hoped to come in and have a successful career. Or even just make it as a professional for that matter, and have that opportunity. I’ve been fortunate. It’s been a great season and to be able to wrap up my second motocross championship feels great. We worked hard and this one probably feels a little sweeter because of being on the new team at KTM. It was a big step for them and myself in moving forward in the sport. I feel like everyone did a great job and we continue to push forward. It’s great to have been successful, but it’s important not to settle.
In 2010 you might have caught everyone off guard with your success because you were a rookie. The same could be said for this season aboard a KTM that no one knew what to expect. Based on how successful each respective season was, how do you compare the two?
It’s hard to compare (them). They each were a lot of fun, but they were also two separate seasons. Each season has its own special memory and feeling for each win and championship. Suzuki was great in 2010. I was a rookie, and to win races off the bat was awesome and it really helped me (with) my confidence. But this year, the circumstances were a little bit different.
We were coming in with a new team and a brand-new 450 that KTM put into the works a whole year earlier in order to be ready. In signing with them, they were committed to winning. They were committed to coming over here (in America) and be dominant just like they are in Europe. To be able to do that and believe in me to help make that happen (is awesome). I think we work great together as a team and when you have a great atmosphere its fun.
Winning doesn’t come easy, but we all worked together for the same end result. I’m proud of what we’ve done. There weren’t many records to break, but to have a bike that we can build up over the next few years is what I want to do. It’s been a great match for me (at KTM). We’ve got some wins in Supercross and outdoors, and now a championship, but its time to keep winning more races and more championships and make KTM a top contender in the states.
SX Seattle
LATEST HEADLINES: MOTO-RACING
-
AMA MX: Villopoto Leads Into Thunder Valley
Ryan Villopoto rolls into Lakewood, Colorado for Round 2 of the '13… -
AMA FT: Series Prepares For Springfield Mile
Round 4 of the AMA pro Flat Track Championship will take place this… -
WSBK: Title Battles Arrives At Donington Park
The British contingent is preparing to defend its home turf this… -
AMA MX: Hangtown Ticker (UPDATED)
Notes and quotes following this past weekend's Lucas Oil Pro Motocross… -
VIDEO: AMA MX - Hangtown Classic Highlights
Ryan Villopoto kicked off the '13 Lucias Oil Motocross season in… -
AMA DSB: Westby Back In Action
Dane Westby was back on a bike after his Daytona injury to test at… -
AMA DSB: Heirs To The Throne
AMA Pro's second offseason is finally coming to an end and with it… - More News
