Going for the W: Ryan Dungey
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 | 4:00 PM
Bell Sports has been the preeminent designer and marketer of branded sports helmets and accessories for more than 50 years. More world champions have worn Bell Helmets than all other helmet brands combined. Bell helmets have played a vital role in protecting sportsmen and women for generations.
Tweet
Advertisement | Advertise with Us
Share
Comment
Email
Print
Ryan Dungey is having the greatest bad year I’ve ever seen. In one of the toughest, most competitive seasons ever, with a high water mark in terms of quality riders coming in healthy, fast, motivated and prepared, The Dunge is always in the thick of it. He has beaten every rider on the track at some point, he’s been consistent, he hasn’t had any major injuries or made any huge mistakes. It has been a good year.
But yet we roll into this weekend’s Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship round at Millville, Minnesota, and the question comes back again. “Will the home track give Dungey that extra spark he has been missing this year?”
Can Dungey pick up his second overall in his home state?
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
But yet we roll into this weekend’s Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship round at Millville, Minnesota, and the question comes back again. “Will the home track give Dungey that extra spark he has been missing this year?”
The questions always spring to the negative. As if Dungey needs to do something to fix a problem. After a close race in Los Angeles it was, “Maybe that will fire him up like he was in 2010.” After he derailed a chain at Anaheim it was, “Maybe now he’ll have nothing to lose and hang it out more.” He bumped around a bit at Indianapolis and ended up off the podium. He seemed mad after the race. “Maybe that will fire him up.” He won in Toronto and Colorado. “Maybe those wins will give him the spark he needs to win like he did last year.”
If you’re Ryan Dungey, those questions seem to imply that you’ve left something on the table. Could have won more or could have done better. Maybe you didn’t try hard enough or dig deep enough. But if you’re Ryan Dungey, you know you’ve given it your all every weekend and every week.
When Dungey finally got an overall win a few weeks back at Thunder Valley in Colorado, he was asked in the post race press conference if he had picked up his aggression. He answered back, unaggresively, “It’s not a matter of aggression. I give it my all every weekend.”
Maybe it’s the riding style. Dungey has never been a ball-to-the-walls kind of rider. He rarely makes huge mistakes or comes through a section with gravity-bending style. He barely even crashes. He looks smooth and precise at every moment. Just ask Kevin Windham what having a smooth riding style means when you’re not winning races. It means, on the outside, that you’re not trying hard enough. Let’s see the feet come off the pegs. Let’s see a big swap. Let’s see something that indicates you’re on the edge to the viewer. Although on the inside of the helmet, guys like Windham, Dungey, Robbie Reynard, Damon Huffman, really any of the smooth guys, knew they were riding as hard as they could when they were riding as hard as they could.
Maybe it’s the demeanor. With all of his “really gotta’ give it up to the team” interviews, Dungey never lets any trash talk slip out. Never gives you the indicator that, “I just lost a ton of points with this DNF so I’m going to come back and slaughter these guys next week.” He takes the down moments in stride—too much in stride, from an outsider’s perspective. But really, does Dungey work as hard as he does without being competitive?
Can Dungey pick up his second overall in his home state?
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Maybe it’s just the results. Dungey won a lot of races last year and has only won two so far this year. The big question in 2010 was if Dungey would have won all of those races if the likes of Reed, Villopoto, Stewart and the rest were there. Well, those guys are there, now. Dungey has proven he can run with, and beat, any of them, because he’s done it at times this season. But it’s ridiculous to expect him to win ten of twelve nationals like he did last year. Not against these guys, and hey, it’s not like any one else from this group has been able to dominate, either.
Bottom line is Dungey has been in the hunt every week. He’s fast enough to contend for wins, consistent enough to contend for titles. Hey, if not for bad luck with fuel in Freestone….
You want a bad year? Look at Josh Grant. That poor guy is just searching for answers right now. Meanwhile Dungey is being courted by a bunch of major teams. He has proven that against a healthy, competitive, prepared, motivated field, he has a shot to win the race every week.
He’s been good, but we keep thinking there’s more greatness somewhere. So each week, we ask if this is the week when we finally see the greatness. In Dungey’s case, hasn’t his season actually been good enough?
Did you like this article?
Check out HIGH/LOW
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
Each of the five major manufacturers had its ups and downs during the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross campaign. Page 118.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
Exactly- couldn't agree more...
I think Dungey has had a pretty good year, but I think he still has some aggression in him....hopefully he lets it out soon and shows everyone what he is really made of. The guy has more I know it.
Over and Out
Very well written, Weege. Thanks for that write up...and some say you guys are real journalists! I'd like to think that most of you do a pretty damn good job!
EDIT: Some say you guys are NOT real journalists. Of course, I think you do a pretty damn good job both here and elsewhere.
Nobody would be writing or saying any of this if he didnt run out of gas. it is the only reason he is this down on points. Keep doing what you do RD- super fast, smooth and polite is nothing to be ashamed of.
Quit suckin the sack weege...
did you really need an article to defend his year? that's lame...
better research and journalism than what's going on with the news etc...keep it up! I think Dungey kicks ass.. He would have won the supercross if his chain didnt come off and he would have the red plate if his gas didn't do whatever it did???..... he's a young champion
@Dont read this
People are anxious about Dean Wilson not being able to win a race--or at least he is--and he's actually LEADING in points right now.
Without the DNF at Freestone, Dungey might be turning out even safer rides than he is currently, leading to nothing but more talk. It's unavoidable.
The dunge still has the best shot at the outdoor title if you ask me. Consistancy almost always wins championships. And i dont see dungey finishing off the podium the rest of the season like chad and villopoto have already done...
there a few things that have change from last yr one`s a chick he seeing and everyone knows what happens to racers that get the gitty heart pump going ,ive seen this in alot of racers they become satified with there results and no longer hang it wide open .focus is somewhat tapered ,and decoster is not really there as much either but they still talk alot I bet
what the hell is a Dunge? Thats not as bad as Chupacabra but its pretty darn lame. Can we not come up with something better.... Like Mr. Nice Guy or something....??
Awesome READ!!!!
Thats a great article but there was no need to write it. If you dont know Dungey always gives it his all, is in it to win it, and on his days he can beat anybody straight up than ur just plain stupid or ur name is J-Law. Poor guy needs some luck i do hope he sticks with suzuki though.
RD was a badass last year against a lineup which had RV, JS & CR sidelined with injuries and he's proven that he's on their level week in and week out this year stacked against a full lineup of all of the best riders. If RD hadn't dominated in his Rookie year I think the talk would be more along the lines of "What and incredible season he's having for his second year on a 450 against the best in the world."
He's ONLY 21 so he's got alot of years left and will prove to be one of the best in my opinion!
Maybe this article will give him the spark he needs to win like he did last year. Sorry...it was right there, I had to take it.
But seriously, Dungey is a consummate professional, he's in it to win the series, and I'd just like to see him get physical on the racetrack. However: in motocross, you reap what you sow. One greedy moment here will exact a cruel payback there. A race won could equal a series lost.
Dungey is being true to himself, doing it the right way as he sees it, and his smooth flow belies his hard pace.
Maybe he can't give any more on the track. Any good pro will ride at the fastest sustainably consistent pace possible the whole race, and if he's leading, he'll rein it in enough to ride only fast enough to win. He's like Villopoto: smart. Maybe I should say he's like Villopoto, only without the killer instinct. Come on, Dungey. Give us the killer instinct.
Here's a good nickname for Dungey: CLARK KENT.
I totally agree Weege. Good article. But how could you not include EMIG in the list of the smooth guys!!? Fro and Dunge look identical on the bike. (i'm sure your tired of hearing that from me..ha. Keep up the good work!
Call it what you want but IMO if you don't get out of shape once in a wile or crash once in a wile you are not giving it 100%. How do you know your limit if you don't?? Either way RD has left a LOT of points on the table this year because of passes he did not make.
.You can say he has beaten them all at some point this year but I still have not seen him pass and beat JS or RV (sans the one moto when RV was still sick and faded) unless they crash but thay have do it to him.
. RD is a hard guy to chear for, I was screming at him to pass Reed a few times this year because it will help RV and he just can't pass the guy even though he was faster.
Holeshot!!!!!!! NOT! Great read for sure!
BillC I just don't understand the point of unless you get wild and crash your not giving it 100%. I seem to recall dungey crashing in moto 1 at steel city last year, giving it 100% after already having the championship won. Has he not had a few tip overs this year where I'm sure he is giving it 100%. Or what about the race at pala where he almost went over the bars on the Huge Double, that wasn't trying 100% either i guess. All of these guys give it there all, in fact Dungey gave it his all so much with the lead in texas that his fuel boiled which is the only reason he is currently not leading the championship. Maybe he is not your guy cause he isn't off the bike like RC or RV, but for a weekend warrior like myself (and I'm sure is what you are cause you have sooooo much knowledge to give these pros) I just enjoy watching the best in the world ride
Anyone out there a programmer? I would love to have an app that replaces any BillC post with a huge Summer's Eve ad. I'm surprised your computer hasn't sprouted legs and thrown itself in the tub.
Without the DNF RD would be 5 pts ahead of CR for the lead and that would make him ahead of RV and everyone else. How much harder would you like him to ride Bill?
Dungy will still be racing when guys like Stewart are sitting on the couch crapping themselfs because they are so beat up !
Weeg,The Dunge is a pretty goog nick name.I like it,I've been calling him that all year for some reason.You need to pass that El Chupacabra nickname to Roczen94.Now that he's wearing that big giant stupid ear ring he deserves a stupid nickname to go with it.Sooo pass that to him.This article did kind of sucked.It reminded me of bike test from DirtRider magazine.
WOW!Thank God you feel the same way,I couldn't agree with you more,and he doesn't wine like cr22 and rv2,give them a bottle to suck on!!!
Not crashing does not mean not trying, it means you have alot of skill and talent. Crashing gets you NOTHING but injured. K-Dub had a crash while he was leading in supercross, I guess all the other times he wasnt trying?? Sorry but I disagree with that. ALL these guys are giving 100%, period, its insane to think they arent. If Dungey can do all the winning he has last year and this season, by not giving 100%, I would love to see him toitally destroy everyone when he does try. He was smooth as glass at Thunder Valley, and RV couldnt catch him in the 2nd moto. I guess he would have won by over 2 minutes if he was giving 100%.
And I know RC had a few crahses in his day, but he did not crash as much as some guys act like on here. You dont get 15 major titles and 2 perfect outdoor seasons by crashing as much as some guys think he did. But he did have a few get offs. And alot of them were due to his short stature, and the seat hitting his as# off the bike.
I saw the extra spark in Lakewood.
Good ol' BillC. He never misses a chance to drag Dungey through the mud while putting Villopoto on a pedestal.
Awesome read couldn't be anymore true!
How could anyone not cheer for any of these guys? BillyC, numbnuts, Mr. 12 years old, mofo, spelling bee champion, get a life man!
Excellent article. That's the way I would want my son to be.
Killer instinct has cost RV one SX & two MX seasons (and possible titles) so, Ryan Dungey's program looks just fine to me. He's right where he needs to be championship-wise and like others have said, w/o the fuel related DNF, he's right there, maybe w/ a red plate. He'll come alive at his hometown race and be strong for the home-stretch. I don't know what else we could ask from the guy.
It must be said that all the "what's eating Dungey?" comments wouldn't be there w/o the outstanding performances from one Chad Reed. Reed is really coming into his own and definitely dispelling the "SX only" rap he's had in the past. All this from the "old man" of the sport who is supposedly (by his critics) owned by #2, #7, etc, etc.
Once RD hooks back up w/ the original RD on orange, he'll be re-invigorated. Not only by a change of scenery and tutelage by his mentor but, a team that has a aggressive mentality, something Suzuki lacks since the man's departure and their financial woes have become more prevalent. Knowing KTM is re-investing in the 450 (specifically) for him is probably a little ego boost as well.
Good for him, good for Dungey fans, good for team U.S.A. Bad for the competition.
RD did not run out of gas. I was standing at the tech tent as soon as his mechanic pushed his bike in. He opened the gas cap swished gas around around looked at me and my buddies and said there was plenty of gas.
I knew it didn't boil off. Thanks, Ethan.
Nice of Dungey to tell a little white lie to protect his mechanic and Suzuki's reputations. Looks like one or the other failed. He did what the factory would want him to do. He didn't reflect negatively on Suzuki. That's professionalism. That's loyalty. He can sort the lies out with God, but as a racer, he does what he has to do. I can understand. You protect your sponsors at all cost. You stand behind your mechanic. Sometimes you're torn between telling the truth by selling out those who stand behind you and telling a white lie to stand behind those who got you where you are today.
Dungey: consummate professional.
While I don't know WHAT precisely happened to the bike, it would be nice to get a straight answer from somebody (anybody) regarding the DNF, as most of us are not buying the company line.
jaitime's right about Dungey, consumamate professional sounds dead-on.
He'll raise the bar at KTM with Roger & Co. A lot of attention will be on that team come 2012.
i feel queasy,i must be dreaming ...both @jairs comments were dead on .........
Total respect for the nicest guy in MX (well, after Trey that is). He´s doing what he does best and that´s collecting points. His DNF wasn´t down to him, but ultimately, it´s gonna cost him the title. He won´t get back up to Reedie because he´s just too far off, although I think he´ll get RV for 2nd.
Once again, there is not a damn thing Suzuki could have done about the martian space craft landing in the suzuki pits, and stealing the gas out the yellow 450 w/ #1 on, nothing anyone could have done about that. Nope not a thing, and besides heck, its only a few points, and its a looong season right, shoot dont worry about the basics, like fuel and stuff. anyone can make up 25 points,,,,silly lil fuel thing didnt hurt did it. Nothing on earth could have prevented this "well maybe if reagan got his S.D.I. passed anyway.
LOL some of you guys.
So funny that u can give your opions but I can't!! Tell me how a guy like Rd who can run Reed down from way back then can't pass him for 20 min's is giveing it everything? RV or JS never get stuck behind someone like he does. I have seen RD at least 5 times this year not make a pass when he was clearly the much faster guy, and not just for a lap or 2. He pushed Reed for 17 laps in SX and 20 mins in MX. Also K-Dub has said he wishes he could hang it out more, He said he just can't. So "IMO" it's not hatein on RD its just my opion that he is holdin back a little. K-Dub has said it about himself and I feel RD is the same. There are very few who can go out and give it 100% and risk it all IMO ( I am not saying thats the smart thing to do either ), RC, JS, RV and a few others leave it all on the track but most stay just on the safe side whitch is smart but does not always get you the win. IE: RD and K-Dub. Also saying because K-Dub crashed wile leading proves he is trying 100%, I never said he was not trying but even if you are just riding slow you can still crash so that point mean nothing.
That's your opinion and it's wrong, but you're certainly entitled to your wrong opinion. Just as we're all entitled to call you an idiot for saying it.
@BILLC, just go out and buy that new KTM 2-stroke already. But if it was me, I would buy a 300. I love my 2-stroke but the 300 power is just right in my opinion. But I love the bike. The KTM's are pretty expensive to buy, but the hydrolic clutch and the excellent components are worth it, because you dont have to replace all the junk parts right away, like the garbage footpegs and levers that the Jap bikes have. Go buy it and ride the hell out of it already.
From his riding you can tell he definitely puts it all out there, but I think what's hurting him is his inability to just push Chad Reed out of his way in a corner. I know, the gladiator code is once you bump somebody, they are probably going to knock the hell out of you next time they get a chance. But this outdoor season it seems like there were a few times where he could have run it in on him and squeezed by and maybe picked up more moto wins and points. For Dungey, I guess he's rather be known as a clean rider. He is my favorite but sometimes I wish he would ask himself WWRC do?
Reed followed Alessi for a long time that last moto. It happens. RC was a machine. There is no one like him anymore.
If I were writing the checks as a corporate sponsor, of the top four riders who are not currently hurt, RD1,JS7,CR22,RV2, the rider I would want representing my corporation would be RD1. There is no drame with the guy, he seems to be a great role model for the motocross sport, and to the public at large, is a great rider and seems like a good kid. And I think he will be making a boat load of money in the comming years, along with future titles. As stated before this is just his 2nd year in the 450 class.
Also TC41 would be in that camp as well.
jb37, Thats a good call, I said in the other thread last week that if I was the head of KTM I would sit down with RD, Open the check book, look him in the eyes and say what do you need. You got it.
.I think there are good guys at heart, All 4 seem to be family guys too. JS pulled a bone head move with the lights for sure but beond that even he seems like an alreagt dude that is not out to hurt anyone.
LOL wrong thread bd200!! But I just might do that.
big fu**kin deal, it's called racing. sh*t happens.
If RD hadn't had an "issue" in Texas he would be leading the points right now. That's gotta say something about his pseed and desire.
Josh Grant bad luck note:
At Thunder valley he was doing a track lap with John Ayers on Friday in John's 4 wheeler and Ayer's drove off one of the on track banner drop offs ( the tallest one 4') endoed, rolled upside down and put a hurtin on JG's shoulder big time, he almost didn't race because of it!
Winning doesn't mean a thing. If I was writing a check I would want the one who can do what KDUB does or the next TP. Look how many titles Suzuki has and people still bad mouth their bikes. Did sales go up during the RC era? no.
I'd like to see the actual numbers regarding that statement, Go KDUB! (I echo that sentiment, btw.)
As for Dungey's "inability" to pass, I would say that a) he wasn't going WAY faster than Reed and b) the tracks have not been very conducive to multiple lines and good passing opportunities. Reed is a seasoned veteran, and under those circumstances, he knows how to keep a rider behind him.
I agree with most of you that the Dunge is a great kid to have as the face of your team and is capable of winning many titles in the years to come – and possibly this year. I've been a fan since Roger pulled him out of the B class, and I continue to pull for him. As for those who think he's "too nice," any parent in their right mind would want a kid as focused and polite.
Well written piece, and judging from the commenting word count, a perfect piece at the perfect time. Hats off to the editors! You truly level out the highs and lows of a long season for the fans. Baseball has endless stats, football has its boundless enthusiasm and "momentum", and Motocross Racing has a rich lore that we can cast our current gladiators into to see if they fit.
OK Sef154 then how did RV pass Reed and RD on the same tracks?
One more thing, I can think of 2 races(1 sx and 1 nat) where RD ran down Reed, Fell got up and was all opver Reed again in a few laps. I would call that a lot faster. what would you call it?
I like Bill C's comment if you're not crashing and swapping all over the place, then you are not riding fast enough. WTF kinda of comment is that? I seemed to have heard that same comment 40 yrs. ago.I have watched people who swap and crash all the time, and guess what, they were not going that fast at all. But I will keep that in mind when driving to work, "Gee I must be driving slow today thats why I was late, didn't take enough cars out I guess".
I also most forgot as for Dungey: smooth, fast, great throttle control like K Dub. I still like to see Reed win, but like the fact these are giving all they have. We will all know when Dungey is hauling the mail, by the number of times he has "CRASHED"
Anyone else remember the Mike Bell slow down to go faster school of MX?
Tell ya what................back in the day, when ya take a look over yer shoulder and see a super combat wombat swapping 4 ft both directions, and fork oil squirting out the sliders, ya know yer in for a battle. I mo tell ya what. :) Ive worked a couple small tracks, and man in practice is where ya see all the fast ones.....they hit the triple wfo, with no clue, and are carted off within 10 mins, holding the whole day up for the slower fellers.
Since you have all the answers, BillC, I know you're not asking me those questions because you care what I think. And frankly, you've kind of already answered the first question. Villo has made more passes because he's more inclined to go banzai (or fast, as you call it). I believe he ended up with a muffler full of dirt and a badly broken leg last year with that tactic. Meanwhile, Dungey was staying upright and winning everything in sight. And so far, he still has more big bike championships than #2. So the question seems not to be whether Dungey is fast enough, but rather whether RV can stay up long enough to beat him in the long run. Perhaps he can. But perhaps Dungey's kind of speed will pay greater dividends over time. I'm sure you think you already know the answers, but I'll wait and see for myself.
I bought a tee shirt that says " To save time, lets just assume I know everything"..... whatchall think? wife says "typical american" :P
Why must you always be so Sarcastic Sef154?? Well either way ya could say RD's style cost him an SX title this year right? I mean he left a lot of points out there because of passes he did not/could not make. 5 would = at least 10 points so that could have been the dif right? There is not right or wrong way 100% of the time but it sure as hell is a lot more fun to watch a guy like Rv or JS then it is RD. I mean I LOVE to watch RD's stlye he is so smooth and pin point but when you need him to get somthing done it can be very frustrating to watch.
I will say this. When I look at the lap times, and the average lap times, I see that Dungey is usually right up there with the fastest on the track. He is with in a 10th of RV sometimes, if not closer. So I think Dungey is going 100%. If he isnt, then when hne does go all out, he will be the fastest in all of history, because he is easily one of the fastest in the world now.
Average times relly don't mean that much bd200 IMO, Because look at last week RV had a 10+ sec lead and then backed it down so that kills his AV, He put 1-2 sec a lap on RD after he passed him so how does the average mean anything?
. I have said that before about RD, If he could hang it out a bit more and pass people faster he could be unstopable.
Who is your av pic of--Certainly not you--You'd have to get off of RV2's tit long enough to load the truck--THAT AIN"T HAPPENEN