Ryan Dungey: The Fastest Time
Friday, January 6, 2012 | 1:00 PM
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Factory contracts can be programmed to last more than one year. In racing, that’s too slow. Oh sure, every aspect of motorsports and athletic performance takes time to develop. Great race machines are not created overnight. Fitness doesn’t come in a week. And team work, camaraderie and even confidence takes while to build. Not to mention championships. You’ll notice that every rider who could potentially grab a title likes to explain the strategy by saying, “It’s a long season.”
And yet, even with all of those warnings against snap judgments, we immediately rush to conclusions with every darned lap. Especially early in the season. You’ll do it, and so will I. We do it in other sports, too. A piece of paper comes out with results and scores, and the thought process begins.
Judgment day is coming for Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey experiment, and also Ryan Dungey’s experiment with Red Bull KTM. Oh sure, he has a multiple year deal with hopes of really having his program dialed in for 2013, and yes, the bike he’s riding is so new that KTM only put out a PR announcing production intent Wednesday. To wit, James Stewart has explained how losing a year of testing time (due to injury) with the then-new 2010 Yamaha YZ450F hurt him in 2011, and now, in year three on that platform, he hopes to have it working. And note Honda’s 2009 CRF450R. It at first seemed a step back from the superb 2008 model. But by season three in development, it was racking up nothing but praise from the likes of Chad Reed, Trey Canard, and Kevin Windham.
Photo: Simon Cudby
The radical newer Honda and even more radical new Yamaha didn’t come ready to win straight from the crate. It took time. And even the company that says “Ready to Race” will need some time, too. Remember, KTM is a marque that has won in just about every avenue of off-road motorcycle racing but has never been able to crack the supercross code at this level. And, Dungey doesn’t have a teammate, nor any satellite teams testing alongside him. It just can’t possibly be possible for KTM to make an all-new bike the best bike on the track.
Which is fine. That’s a tall order. The big story, for now, should be that KTM even employs a contender at all, because while they’ve never grabbed a podium in AMA Supercross, they have also rarely had a rider capable of doing it, anyway. With Dungey, they have instant cred and attention. Today’s Monster Energy SX press conference featured five riders: two on Hondas (Canard and Reed, and one each for KTM (Dungey), Yamaha (Stewart), and Kawasaki (Villopoto). Suzuki, recent employer of Ricky Carmichael, Chad Reed, and Dungey, wasn’t represented among the fast five this time, now that Dungey is wearing the KTM cap.
So now KTM is on the map. KTM is a player. But the snap judgements of fans—especially the ones who care enough to buy new bikes—will be based on nothing but results. And no one will wait until 2013 to look at those. Yeah, so Dungey wasn’t on pace with Villopoto in the bike’s first outing at the Monster Energy Cup. He gets a little rope. But how much?
You could probably ask Dungey himself. If anyone is too competitive to wait, it’s him. Same with DeCoster. These guys are not going to be happy taking fifth-place finishes and taking data back to the shop. Heck, they won’t be happy with third place finishes for very long. And there’s that old confidence thing. You can’t take a year of beatings and expect to come out the same, mentally. You can’t stay happy and healthy and motivated when you’re programmed to win. So Dungey can’t wait.
Photo: Simon Cudby
“We’ve made a lot of progress since the Monster Energy Cup,” Dungey said. “We only had two weeks on the bike at that point. It was good to ride it under race conditions. After that we took a little break, and then we started working with that information. We’ve really progressed since then.”
Dungey went on with his explanation of progress. He praised KTM’s ability to make quick changes, and the close relationship with the parent company in Austria. Then he finally uttered the most important phrase: “I wouldn’t have signed a deal if I didn’t think we could be competitive. I want to win races.”
Today’s economy has forced some folks to make strange business decisions. At this moment, KTM is apparently not afraid to invest at a time when others have pulled back. No doubt, money and long-term stability had to be factors in the decision process for Dungey and DeCoster. But don’t think this is all about the money. The competitive side of this duo serves as insulation from that. If Dungey and DeCoster didn’t think they can win, and soon, they wouldn’t be here right now.
Because it’s all about right now. In racing, it always is.
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I won't make a snap call after 1 or 2 races. I said when he signed it will take at least 5 rounds to really diel it in. He may go winless this year in SX, I hope not but I would not be shocked. Hell he only won 1 last year.
Even if the KTM was in year 3 of development like the Honda and Yamaha, it would be difficult, given the competition, to get wins. People should keep that in mind before they rush to judge results on the new KTM.
There will be at least 1 race that the first and second place riders will take each other out. So he might just get a win.
This isn't the 70's . KTM isn't chinese. The #5 bike will work just fine... That thing and its hard working FAST determined rider will be in the hunt starting tommorow night. His passing skills will determine how far up he gets. The fist fight between Havoc and 22 will determine how far up he gets . And just how big of a lead RV1 decides to pull will determine how far up he gets....
@
KICKLIARSASS ...
Wow... i could have sworn this was a MOTOCROSS WEBSITE..... W-T-F was that about???
Ya, that was incoherent even for a political website.
I think KTM will get on the podium this year. As we saw last year, a guy trailing in 5th can make the podium...Will it happen tomorrow? Who knows....RD5 is part of the top 5 no matter what brand he is on....but will he make it to the top step??? Celebrating just a "podium finish" will be great for KTM...but i think RD5 wants to win...he needs to win...with only 1 win last year and a podium just about every week, it may be hard to do....I think he can do it, but it may come in result of someone else mistakes, more than it being "the bike"....I'll applaud them if they podium or win....
Wow.. Where does all white americans originate from?
GO GET 'EM RYAN DUNGEY!!!!! HELL YA!!!
Did Dungey's chin get bigger?..look out Jay Leno
Hey Jason.....you've got some experience as a writer...but how many podiums have YOU been on. RD5 is a force on ANY motorcycle. He took that POS Suzuki at Southwick ( on a rain soaked sand track ) and went from one lap down to seventh place...after winning the first moto. Unless you've been on a podium and know first hand what it takes to get there...keep your limited opinion to yourself. I'm picking RD5 to make the podium in this first event, along with RV1 and CR22. Great riders are great athletes, and as long as their equipment is competitive, they will rise. Watch for it!
A year of "taking beatings"??? Contending for two championships with the most stacked field in decades with really only mechanicals to blame for not winning both and you say it is a year of "taking beatings"? Weigandt continues to prove that he still hasn't taken the time to learn anything about this sport. Please SPEED give us some real announcers and stop insulting the intelligence of the viewers and give us some real journalism. This sport will never grow if you continue to make us out to be a bunch of "energy-drinking" tattooed bros with IQ's lower than Forrest Gump. Jason, lets review: Ryan's chain derailed costing him more points than the margin between him and Villopoto at seasons end, he ran out of fuel in Texas at the end of the moto with a 25 second lead, he starts a half lap down because they couldn't get that Suzuki to run, comes back to 7th, either of those motos start better for him and we (you included because I am sure you are smart enough to get on that band wagon with everyone else) are talking about Ryan Dungy as the next GOAT repeating both championships with the best field ever. Ryan Dungy showed amazing poise, patience and trust never panicing or loosing his cool as he battled adversity that he had no control over. If ANYONE thinks or talks poorly of him because of last year they were just not paying attention.
@cc45mx Amen, right on the money!
cc45mx Thank you!! That 2011 Suzuki team last year was not as good as 2010 period! Kawi and Honda stepped it up for their boys while Suzuki took a huge step back-and he still almost won both championships.Unfortunately, Weigandt is like ALL the other "experts" on Speed, NBC, CBS and others. I say this to all the doubters: Don't you think maybe RD5 would've been 15 to 25 points better with Roger and his technician back in 2011. I think if you're honest, you'd say yes. And by the way, that would have won him both Championships again. I understand you can't live on "if this.." and "if that..", but I'm just saying GIVE RD5 SOME RESPECT!
Man it doesn't take much for people to get their panties all in a bunch. Weege put a sensible, objective, article out there and the Dungey/KTM fans are ready to go burn his house down. I was on here defending Dungey in 2010 and he is a great champion, but I have some serious doubts for him in 2012. I think not having Goose in his corner is a bigger negative than having Roger is a positive. Anyway, they run the races and they start tomorrow so let's just see what happens and talk then. Please don't start thinking that Roger adds points to your total. He's the best team manager going but I recall Honda doing quite well when Dave Arnold took over for him. Ryan Dungey gets plenty of respect, so please don't start going down the goofy trail whenever anyone doesn't shower him with praise like we see from certain other fanboys. If he wins races, be happyand be right, if he doesn't then I guess Weege's words hold some merit.
"he ran out of fuel in Texas at the end of the moto with a 25 second lead, he starts a half lap down because they couldn't get that Suzuki to run, comes back to 7th,"
. Don't forget with 8 moto's to got RD was only 7 points out and could have won the title, BUT it was RV who won 6 of the last 8 moto's to seal the deal.
Well said B-KR and I appreciate what you are saying but I wish you would take a moment and really consider what you just said concerning Decoster. I firmly believe an elite team manager can save or gain you 15 to 25 points in a championship. Same with a mechanic no doubt. Goose is one of the very best but he isn't the manager. I'm just saying, Dungey -not the team overall- was just as good last year as 2010. I'm not declaring him the next GOAT. I just think a lot people tend to underrate him based on things that were out of his control this past year and in 2010 with the other top guys out. I certainly don't feel that the talking heads get that. Hope I didn't start the year off negative for you, I can't wait for it to start!
@cc45mx. Jason said "You can’t take a year of beatings and expect to come out the same, mentally. You can’t stay happy and healthy and motivated when you’re programmed to win" referring to this year, meaning if Dungey can't get to grips with the KTM and cops a beating all year will he be the same next year.
Nobody can deny Dungey did well last year despite some DNF's and other setbacks, everyone has their setbacks, Reeds Millville crash, RV's missing Jacksonville main, Stewy hitting the ground faster than anyone etc, all that is part of racing and can't be taken out of the equation. Don't go hating on Weigandt when he has more foresight and a clearer picture of the motocross world than you.
On saying that, Weigandt doesn't belong in the commentators booth, neither does Emig. Weigandt caters to the noobs too much and Emig can't hold a train of thought for too long, makes me miss the days of Eckman and Bailey commentating, and they weren't that great. Get Ping, Matthes and Eli from Brotocross in there, could be interesting :P, they all race or raced, they're all funny and reasonably intelligent!
"Don't forget with 8 moto's to got RD was only 7 points out and could have won the title, BUT it was RV who won 6 of the last 8 moto's to seal the deal."
Very good point BillC and I agree. Remember though that Dungey was riding better than anyone having just beaten RV straight up going into a 2 week break but, to my point, Kawi stepped up supplied RV a much better bike and the rest is history...I'm simply saying that the Suzuki team was not as good as 2010 and that was out of RD5's hands. Having said that, RV2 WON the championship and nobody gave it to him.
I'm so ready for the gate to drop! I think this year will be even better than last...
B-KR...I like your comment and your knowledge of our sport. I disagree about the loss of Goose, we all know he is meticulous, but I saw first hand the mess at Southwick, and running out of fuel? Isn't that what they used to do back in the 80's? Goose will be great for CR and the Dungey / DeCoster relationship is almost magical. Along with Stefan Everts input? Incredible!! I think the most important thing DeCoster will push/ guide RD to be more aggressive and confident. That is all he needs. His style and technique is so straightforward and solid, he reminds me of Jeff Stanton, with his hard working no BS style. RV and RD are going to be battling it out for the next couple of seasons, and it's going to be AWESOME! Both of these guys are super classy and so fun to watch. A1 is going to ROCK! Can't wait to see all these animals out there, and so glad JS7 will be in the mix too.
Pretty sure it won't run outta gas this year (KTM) at least. Suzuki......deserves to go under.
KTM : Ryan what do you think it will take to win?
Ryan : I need a different frame design, can you make it work?
KTM : We want to win so do what you need to do, and we will call it the factory edition.
Harrythehog, thanks for the compliment. I don't think either have anything to do with Goose. Now with EFI on board, some things are in the hands of a computer and I think we've seen more DNFs just last year because of that than any factory team would want you to know. I also question if running out of gas wasn't an EFI failure, but we will never know. Electrical problems can just come out of nowhere and no mechanic can stop it since it is inside a little black box somewhere. I will say that RogerD is definitely a positive and Dungey benefits from that. Let's just hope that Dungey has no mechanicals this year as that can be a big issue on an all new bike.
Joe motocross, yeah F u, and guys come on, Dungey will get on the podium for sure hands down, a win im not sure. He beat everyone except villo at the cup. So reed and stewart will be there, im sure of a podium
If his team didn't fail him, Dungey wins that title with a 21 point lead.
As with ALL top competitors, it comes down to 3 things. Comfort ( liking his steed), fitness routine ( this is why anyone is wasting their money and time with Hanson), And DESIRE TO WIN.
I believe RD has a program second to none. His ACHILLES.......comfort on the 'TOOM.
i am reading alot of doubts in dungeys ability and ktm to produce a winning bike. yes ktm has never won a american supercross but they have NEVER had the riders. Alessi never won a supercross on a suzuki so he doesnt win on the ktm and all the sudden its the bikes fault. andrew short. could not win a supercross when he was on a factory honda. he goes to ktm and rides a 350 and finishes 5th in the supercross season. outdoors was dissapointing but racing a bike with 100 cc less is a big disadvantage outdoors. ryan will do fine. he will win races and will be a contender. i dont care what anyone says. its going to be RV VS RD. bubba is a idiot and yeah i just said that because i dont care what you bubba loving fans say. RD is better then bubba. james wont keep the pace. so dont judge Ryan and ktm. why do they have all the world championships in europe. its the same team same manufactorer same every thing. dont critisise a company because they arent the best or they have never won in the states. dungye will be right there his bike is going to be ready and he is going to surprise us all. (maybe) just like A1 in 2010. he will be 2nd behind RV tomorrow noght. james is not the same james as 2009. he made 10 mil then didnt give his 100 hundred percent. james wanted the ride at factory suzuki but jgr could offer him the $$$$$ so he picked money over a championship. and james fans dont get me worng he is one of the best ever. i will admit that but he let money get in the way of his career. so dont come at me with excuses like ooo james finally has a bike that will go striaght in the whoops. because its not the bike its him.
@ yamahaa wrote:
KTM : Ryan what do you think it will take to win?
Ryan : I need a different frame design, can you make it work?
KTM : We want to win so do what you need to do, and we will call it the factory edition.
Don't know if you are taking a stab at KTM with this comment?
So let me make the other comment.
Jap team (pick your color): what do you think it will take to win?
Rider: change the frame, more top end, tweek the suspension
Jap team: OK, we can possibly do that by next year, you see our huge company makes many products other than off road motorcycles so this is really not a top priority. Besides, we spend all of our money on advertising so American kids will buy our bikes.
Don't get me wrong, I dig my Honda, but you have to really give KTM credit for development and innovation. Hate KTM all you want, but who else has hydrolic clutches, electric start, and an off road bike for just about anyone's taste.
Some of you guys on here are juding based on the rider or bike..all im seeing is ktm sucks. Well dungey is on a 2013 prototype and if you go back and read the 450 shootout for the 2012 bikes ktm came first and just think if the 2012 came first then the 2013 has to be even better.
Yall need to learn your facts before you talk but wait here comes dungey barley won last year. well think goose was an idiot dumb little failures chain motor (big bummer). i say everyone stop hating being season hasent even started i understand your thoughts but we dont need to hear your 2012 thoughts when 2012 season hasent even started so you have no idea how dungey will do.
I sit a lot. I can not ride many laps before I am tired. My competitive racing days are long gone. But that Ryan sure can ride good. You won't find me ripping up a racer that makes the main in 450 SX. It is nice to see people working with KTM to make them a top SX team. McGrath could of been KTM's great hope, but he quit because to much hard work involved. If RD5 and RD find success, it's because of hard work and desire to win.
All you "POS SUZUKI' guys ....I think that pos is the winning-est 450 AMA pro SX and outdoor championships . And I seriously doubt you'll ever get to ride anything near that factory pos. Give it a rest....they all break ,ask Andrew Short.
Interesting artical and comments, so let me add my 2 ¢ worth...
I didn't get from Weigandt that Dungey took a beating last year. Only that competitive racers loose confidence (and momentum) "if" they do. RD5 & DeCoster are bound and determined to NOT let that happen this year.... That's what I read into it.
As for RD5 not having any teammates or others testing. Umm, the world championship KTM riders???
...and who did Kaw have developing their fantastic mid season 2012 bike??? and right out of the box is was not only competitive, but a leg up on everyone's bike.
ALL the Jap factory efforts are as efficient as a Seiko watch, and that has been the benchmark & standard for many years. KTM on the other hand is more like the old days of a true FACTORY team*, they are and can do ANYTHING, within the rules, to make whatever change is needed. I predict by the end of the season RD's KTM will be a superior race machine. It will be interesting to see the carnage of those trying to keep pace; riders will over-ride, teams will gamble with unproven changes, etc..
* I was a teen and remember DeCoster on the factory GP Suzuki... those were the days! (trust me young men, you ain't ever seen a true factory effort, but I think we are about to again... (actually the last true hard core factory effort was DeCoster running Honda's team wasn't it). I believe that phoenix is rising in KTM and the two RDs ;)
Dungey, DeCoster and KTM may go down in history as the perfect combination. They've got the most experienced and capable manager, the most determined and deep pocketed manufacturer, and one of the most consistently fast and healthy riders in history. We may not see this sort of pairing again in a long time. It is not IF they are successful, it's how soon they are.
Now this is just my reading of the leaves, and a little bit of hope, but you must ALL agree, this is going to be a great season to watch. And all the different opinions are just that... that is why they run the race., to put it all to rest....
I can't wait... OohRah - Semper Fi
Yeah, just to clarify, I wasn't commenting on Dungey taking a beating in 2011--he did not take a beating, he was there all year. What I am saying is, he knows he can't have a bad 2012 just to dial in the bike. He is riding the bike because he expects to be competitive, and competitive soon. In this sport you have to be.
LiamG6 pretty much got it.
- weege
And BTW--I enjoy how when you like my stories I'm a Racer X guy (where I have worked for 11 years) but when you don't like my stories I'm suddenly a clueless outsider announcer for SPEED or NBC.
Holly crap Hi Jason I think your awesome. I'm a Dungey fan it doesn't make me mad. Keep on keeping on man.
I am not craping on KTM, I am however very impressed at how in a few months they went from testing with a new rider to a improved production model to go racing on. I say good show KTM and good luck to Dungey.
Roczen won the last west coast round last May on a KTM. Langston won several 125 supercross races on a KTM. Pingree won a few also. Ramsey won several races in 2005 on a KTM. Now they have the manager and rider to put it together for a championship. it is time to see a pumpkin on top of the podium
Mr Weigandt, I did not know you read, let alone post comments to your articles here. That is very personable of you. Thank You.
I've read a few of your articles, (I believe I will begin reading more RacerX content... just got the iPhone app ;) and always appreciate the though and discussion they generate, but in general I very much appreciate and agree with you... and I for one believe you and Jeff Emig are a GREAT pair for all the broadcasts. (and I really enjoy when you have Ricky, James or other riders there too.)
Thank you again, Happy New year.. now lets go racing and enjoy possibly the greatest season to ever come along... so far!
Good article Jason. To the Dungey faithful - no excuses. This isn't the first bike that KTM has developed. They had the same amount of time all the other manufacturers have had. They haven't won anything - ever, and that says something. Further, Dungey CHOSE to ride an unproven bike, knowing that he's not at the top of the pack, speed-wise. So he put himself in a position to fall out of the top 5. And that was his decision. I think he'll be lucky to see a couple of top-5 finishes in 2012. He won't be a factor in the overall championship. Werd.
Thanks TPowell for proving my original point: RD5 doesn't get the respect he deserves as one of the top 2 or 3 riders-period. REAL Dungey fans aren't complaining about KTM. REAL Dungey fans realize he had to get away from the Suzuki just like DeCoster did. The politically correct talking heads in the media can't (or won't) say that but fans should be able to have a little discernment. Couple of top 5 finishes...lol!
Okay...there's your first top 5 for RD5. Maybe he'll get lucky and get another one in the next 16 races. :)
The big 4 have been at this supercross thing since the 70's.KTM come along much later.KTM hasnt always had the money,and resourses to compete at this level.They dominate off-road racing,and that is where the money has come from.They dominate gp motocross.Now they want to win in supercross,and now they finally have the money to get it done.
I've got your back Weege :D and just to clarify, i'll take you over Ralph as a commentator any day, as long as you respect that the majority of your audience is well informed (minus cc45mx) RE motocross jargon. I know you have to dumb it down to get the growing audience on side but play to the existing audience just as much if you can.
ps. solid start for RV, CR and RD.