-
Home
- TV Shows
- TV Schedule
- 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
SX: The Holeshot - Atlanta
Ryan Dungey may have sparked new life in the 2012 Monster Energy Supercross title fight with his crucial victory in Atlanta.
Supercross rivals Ryan Villopoto and Ryan Dungey (Photo: Hoppenworld.com)
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Round 9 of the Monster Energy Supercross Championship from St. Louis, MO will air LIVE on SPEED Saturday, March 3 at 8:30pm ET. #SXonSPEED
Do not underestimate the significance of Ryan Dungey’s victory in Atlanta this past weekend -- it was huge. It was one of those wins that could ultimately prove to be the defining moment of the season.
With a three-race winning streak coming into the weekend, Ryan Villopoto was firing on all cylinders and starting to look unstoppable. Chad Reed had been the only man to consistently challenge Villopoto, but he went down trying and was no longer part of the equation. Reed's injury appeared as if might have delivered a severe blow to the remainder of this championship, opening a clear path for RV1 to walk to a repeat championship.
However, Dungey heeded the call that went out industry wide in the wake of Reed’s departure and put forth a near perfect effort in a stadium that has been very good to him throughout his career. The KTM ace's starts were exactly what he required, immediately putting him in a position of strength rather than weakness. It cannot be emphasized enough -- starts today have more importance now than perhaps at any other point in the history of the sport.
But more than just that, Dungey was quick and the track inside the Georgia Dome didn't allow a rider to push too hard without being put at a severe risk of being bitten by it. Dungey himself was a victim in his heat. After watching James Stewart do something no one else in the class had done during his heat race, Dungey attempted the same thing while leading. He almost pulled it off, but the speed caught Dungey off guard and put him high in the corner, ultimately tipping him over. It was ultimately harmless in the end, but it was a lesson learned along with a big wake up call. A mistake like that in the main event would have cost him dearly.
Villopoto gave it all he had trying to catch his familiar foe. He even overcame his own slip up (he washed out the front end) to still have a shot at Dungey on the final lap. However, this wasn’t a track that could be hustled and attacked, robbing Villopoto of the area in which he excels. Every time he tried he bobbled, sealing his fate in the end.
And once again, it is Ryan vs. Ryan. The rivalry started in 2008, during the AMA Motocross Championship in the 250 Class. Following a year hiatus when Villopoto graduated to the 450, Dungey moved up to the big bikes in 2010 and it resumed during that same Supercross season. Last summer, it was these two going at it yet again, taking the championship down to the wire.
No matter what these two riders do, they simply always end up crossing paths. This is the future of our sport, and one that is to be relished. Right now, it’s Villopoto 2, Dungey 1 in terms of their head-to-head battles, and those fights have always been memorable.
Do not underestimate the significance of Ryan Dungey’s victory in Atlanta this past weekend -- it was huge. It was one of those wins that could ultimately prove to be the defining moment of the season.
With a three-race winning streak coming into the weekend, Ryan Villopoto was firing on all cylinders and starting to look unstoppable. Chad Reed had been the only man to consistently challenge Villopoto, but he went down trying and was no longer part of the equation. Reed's injury appeared as if might have delivered a severe blow to the remainder of this championship, opening a clear path for RV1 to walk to a repeat championship.
However, Dungey heeded the call that went out industry wide in the wake of Reed’s departure and put forth a near perfect effort in a stadium that has been very good to him throughout his career. The KTM ace's starts were exactly what he required, immediately putting him in a position of strength rather than weakness. It cannot be emphasized enough -- starts today have more importance now than perhaps at any other point in the history of the sport.
But more than just that, Dungey was quick and the track inside the Georgia Dome didn't allow a rider to push too hard without being put at a severe risk of being bitten by it. Dungey himself was a victim in his heat. After watching James Stewart do something no one else in the class had done during his heat race, Dungey attempted the same thing while leading. He almost pulled it off, but the speed caught Dungey off guard and put him high in the corner, ultimately tipping him over. It was ultimately harmless in the end, but it was a lesson learned along with a big wake up call. A mistake like that in the main event would have cost him dearly.
Villopoto gave it all he had trying to catch his familiar foe. He even overcame his own slip up (he washed out the front end) to still have a shot at Dungey on the final lap. However, this wasn’t a track that could be hustled and attacked, robbing Villopoto of the area in which he excels. Every time he tried he bobbled, sealing his fate in the end.
And once again, it is Ryan vs. Ryan. The rivalry started in 2008, during the AMA Motocross Championship in the 250 Class. Following a year hiatus when Villopoto graduated to the 450, Dungey moved up to the big bikes in 2010 and it resumed during that same Supercross season. Last summer, it was these two going at it yet again, taking the championship down to the wire.
No matter what these two riders do, they simply always end up crossing paths. This is the future of our sport, and one that is to be relished. Right now, it’s Villopoto 2, Dungey 1 in terms of their head-to-head battles, and those fights have always been memorable.
SX Seattle
LATEST HEADLINES: MOTO-RACING
-
MOTOGP: Crutchlow Takes Career-Best Result
Cal Crutchlow worked his forward to claim a runner-up result in the… -
PHOTOS: MotoGP - French Grand Prix
Dani Pedrosa leads the MotoGP World Championship after securing his… -
MOTOGP: Dovi Leads, Ducati Scores Double Top Five
Andrea Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden took full advantage of the wet… -
MOTOGP: Le Mans Race Day Ticker (UPDATED)
Notes and quotes following Sunday's dramatic French Grand Prix. -
MOTOGP: Pedrosa Third To Eclipse 3000 Points
Honda teammates Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez stand 1-2 in the '13… -
MOTOGP: Lorenzo 'Couldn't Do More Without Crashing'
The works Yamaha team suffered through a disappointing outing at… -
MOTOGP: Pedrosa Wins Pivotal French GP
MotoGP title hopeful Dani Pedrosa registered his second consecutive… - More News
