Monday Conversation: Ryan Dungey
Monday, April 30, 2012 | 10:40 AM
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After missing five races with a broken collarbone, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey returned to action in Monster Energy Supercross last week, and then returned to the top spot on the podium this weekend. But it wasn’t easy! We talked to RD5 after the race.
Racer X: We didn’t get to talk last weekend. How long have you been back riding?
Ryan Dungey: Got back on the bike about three weeks ago. I just tried to keep up on the fitness side. Obviously there’s nothing like riding a dirt bike, but nowadays there is stuff you can do physically in the gym, and cardio wise, and so forth, to keep your shape somewhat good. Once things start getting better, week by week you can start doing a little more here and a little more there. We were all trying to figure out if we should come back and race these races or not. And it had nothing to do with the final points position or any of that, we came back just to get back into the racing swing of things.
Also, I think some of us have already forgotten that this is a new bike because you have come so far, so fast, in winning races on it. But do you look at these three races as a way to learn something, development wise, maybe even for supercross next year?
Yeah, we might just learn even more. I think we have a great setup, and we spent a lot of time with it. But even if, nine times out of ten you don’t even find anything new, you might just learn something that one time.
Dungey made a late charge to pick up his third win of 2012.
Simon Cudby photo
So how are you feeling now? Back where you were, pre-injury?
Um, you know, I feel like last week was a good start. Maybe not where I’d like to be, but I know that as we start going through the weeks we’ll start feeling better and better. But, by no means am I out here not at 100 percent. I wouldn’t even be out here if I wasn’t. But at the same time, there’s probably maybe a few small areas we need to pick up on, but now that I’m back we can steadily progress.
Okay, today, what the heck happened right off the bat in practice?
Oh, man! It was kind of a rough morning! I have to be thankful I’m okay. I fell on the first lap of practice, and I kind of fell right into Andrew’s [Short] path. He hit my bike and not me, but the bike, the bars and everything was done. The guys worked really hard to get the bike fixed for the next practice, but when I went out there, a piece in the clutch was broken, and it didn’t feel safe to ride. So that left us with only the third one to put in good laps and good times. We made a few clicks of adjustments in that practice, too.
It seemed like in both the heat race and the main, you got good starts, but the first lap or two, people were going nuts and you got passed by some guys.
Yeah, and that was a bit tougher on my part. The heat race, I made a few mistakes, I went from first to sixth in about half a lap. I was able to regain composure. Brayton and Millsaps were riding good, but I was able to get back to them. Then in the main, I had the good start, but Millsaps got a good jump on me and pinched me off, then he got on the gas and got by me. I got passed by Weimer, but I was trying to be patient there a little bit. Those guys, it was high intensity, obviously, early, but I was just trying to wait for my opening. I got around Weimer, but he just kind of tapped me, you know, and it caught me off guard, and I lost my front in the bales. Thankfully, I got back on the bike quick and I was able to catch back up.
Dungey chases down Jake Weimer en route to the win in Salt Lake City.
Simon Cudby photo
After you went down with that Weimer pass, everyone was thinking, “Oh man, Dungey is so mad right now!” Were you riding angry? Did you think it was dirty?
Yeah, it was dirty, no doubt. I was pretty tight in there and he had to go out of his way to make it happen in there. But, at the same time, it’s racing. I was kind of fired up! But, you know how it is, if I got caught up in that and start going out there just trying to take someone out, that’s not good for my race, either. When I passed him the first time, it got awkward, because I tried to tuck under, then I thought he was going to tuck under, so I got on the brakes. It was kind of weird there, but it was what it was. I don’t know. After the crash, I just put in good laps. If I caught him I caught him, if I got second, I got second, if I got first, I got first. I’m glad it worked out in the end.
So when you got back to Weimer, you were just looking to pass him, instead of saying, “I owe this guy and I have to take him out!”
No, I was focused on Millsaps.
Two laps to go Millsaps had a lead. What even happened there? You closed up so quickly, and then instantly you shot into the lead!
I don’t know! I found some better lines late in the race and I was able to get a better drive going to the triples and stuff. But, those lappers, they played a key role. Myself, even, I got held up by them and had to double some triples at times, but, I don’t know, I didn’t really see what happened, but it looked like Millsaps had to basically single through that section, and I got by. Then the last lap he was hot on my heels. I had to go!
With second in points still up for grabs, Dungey has plenty on the line in Vegas.
Simon Cudby photo
Speaking of hot on the heels, did you notice the fire went off a lap early over the finish line jump?
Yeah! [Laughs] On the last lap, I was like, what the heck? I saw the white flag, so I just said I was going to go! I knew they messed up.
Feel good?
I do. It’s great to be back. We are where we want to be, and maybe at first you don’t see things for what they are, but maybe somewhere there was an advantage to this. I tried to use the downtime as much as I could. It’s good to get a win before the end of the season, and we’ve got one more to go, so we’ll focus on getting ready for Vegas.
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After a slow start to the race, Dungey really turned it on at the end! That was a great night of racing, SX & Lites both!
I was hoping RD was going to make the main. watching the live timing and showing a 19th I was worried he was hurt. I would sure like to see KTM get the MX championship this year. Its been a long time coming.
He looked like a Dif guy after the Weimer brush up.
Also: Everyone was racing from first to last place. Very good night for racing. Temp was a little cold but that also make a little more HP for the bikes.
"...but I was trying to be patient there a little bit. ... but I was just trying to wait for my opening."
This is classic RD, wait, wait ans wait. It took someone taking him out before he raced like a champion. Stop being so nice, patient, waiting for an opening. Make your opening, had RV, CR, TC, been up front you would have gotten fifth. Yeah I know they are injured and he raced and he won. I just hate watching him go into a corner, square it up, try to power by. Sometimes you gotta make your own opening, not wait for that opening.
Good for you you got KTM another win.
Ryan did look alot better once he got fired up ...Brayton, Weimer, Millsaps, have gotten more confident and that can be a dangerous thing for your competion to have.. Dungery needs to remind every one how fast he is going into the great outdoors...Easier to win when your competition expects you to...
Is that Dungey's chick in that one pic?
Yes a good inter view! I like the way dungy handles himself. I could never do that once someone ramed me I did it back on my pass and of course it is stupid cause sometimes I went down also? Ryan Dungey is a great ambassador to our sport!
I wonder where that guy (DUNGEY RULES) went to? It is not me.
Like most of you I am ready for the great outdoors, yes I think the Supercross season has got to long for its britches.
LETS RACE!!!
That's Duneys smokin HOT mom!
yeah they should trim 2 sx races and give them little more time to prep and rest for outdoors.
Sometimes the "let the race come to him" approach sometimes doesn't work that well on a relatively short SX race, but it's going to make him tough to beat outdoors.
I still think the KTM is a little bit of a work in progress, but with RV out, its probably close enough, and should get better as the year goes on. Stewart is the wild card obviously. The easy prediction is "first moto-wins mixed in with crashes", but does anyone but his inner-circle really know how hard he does or doesn't train?
Love that the wiener tried to be bad, put RD down, and still lost! Something about that dude since he joined the 450 makes it so I just cant root for 'em. But I'd like to thank him for inciting RD to ride like he should've all season; with purpose and intent to win.
The flames on the final lap were hilarious.
No thats my mom fart knocker
Today I must concour will @billc's 'outrageous and shocking' take.....Wiemer ....you flipped a switch that will stay on for awhile...looked to me like that dude flat wore everybody out and that thing at full speed looks better than it does at 3/4 . Dungey is a SMART patient (sometime a little to patient) , but once he gets it movin he can mow the remaining crew down...no problem. Hes flat faster ... I'm an RV1 guy but think we better get used to seeing him up front...somewhere in a shed someone is taking the #5's off the Suzuki.....and that could be his biggest problem. Nice win and good racing....
Here is a question for you Kawie guys? I noticed in the pic of Weimer and Dungey that the Kaw looks a whole lot wider? I remember the stuff that was said they trimmed the Kaw to make it more narrow, sure looks wide to me?
I might have to go to a shop and take a look myself at the bikes nowdays.
@ BillC I am working on one of my Harley's to sell and pretty much wanna get a KTM for around town errands and of course a few couple of hundred mile rides. What KTM do you recomend? I thought you rode a KTM on the street?
Just askin? Anyone else can give me input also,
Thanks and just lookin forward to the real Motorcross (did that on purpose) lol...
LETS RACE!!!!
@ BillC I am working on one of my Harley's to sell and pretty much wanna get a KTM for around town errands and of course a few couple of hundred mile rides. What KTM do you recomend? I thought you rode a KTM on the street?
Just askin? Anyone else can give me input also,
Thanks and just lookin forward to the real Motorcross (did that on purpose) lol...
LETS RACE!!!!
ge wizz the keys on my new keyborard seem to bounce? sorry about the double entry, naw I just like to use up the chat site.
All this Weimer talk and no talk about Milsap's 19 lap run that he melted down at the end. and all he could say was he was tried. Dude it's the end of a long SX season, you should be in top shape by now and not let a two race broken collar bone racer pass you, lappers or no lappers.
All this Weimer talk and no talk about Milsap's 19 lap run that he melted down at the end. and all he could say was he was tried. Dude it's the end of a long SX season, you should be in top shape by now and not let a two race broken collar bone racer pass you, lappers or no lappers.
I think Dungey is the favourite going into the Nationals. Too strong for everyone else week in/week out. Too bad Villipoto isn't there to keep it interesting. I think they'll be guys that have great weekends, but not the consistency Dungey will have.
I don't think Stewart will be much of a factor unless they groom the track every moto like they did when he went 24-0. He'll be plenty fast early, but if it's rough he'll fade. The Ryan's are like RC. Strong from start to finish.
Check to see in Ryan or Roger are holding the ohlins rig for ransom!!!!
I commend Millsaps for a very classy interview on the podium. No excuses and 100% responsibility for the mistake. A class guy all the way.
I am disappointed RD did not punt Weimer into the cheap seats. One of the Vet A guys I race put it best. He said: "A dirty pass is where you pass a guy and leave him no place to go but to crash or go down." Weimer...that was a dirty pass.
"No, I was focused on Millsaps".
Lol!! I love it. Weimer needs to know his role.
AGMAN: There is a reason RD has missed races due to injury ONCE in his championship career. Go ahead and criticize his approach but I'll bet TC, JS, RV and CR don't criticize him every other year as they lay on the couch broken up. Were it not for the Suzuki team/bike disaster the year after he won everything, who knows how many more championships he'd have won. That was out of his control. RV is the deserving champ but let him (or anybody) try repeating as champion on a brand new bike and/or team. That's what Dungey has been asked to do the last 2 years. I hope Dungey's rivals also underestimate him because of his "lack of aggression" . Remember in 2010 when Dungey had a hooked up, solid bike/team? Nobody was talking about "lack of aggression" back then.
RV, TC, JS and the like are awesome and great to watch but they will seldom get through a year without serious injury and we all know you have to be in it to win it.
MX Bob: I agree with you on all counts.
WHAT WAS THE QUESTION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hokTZGO0xCE
SWEET
Well Mr_MX that link sure made me wanna go racing.... Gee wish I was 30 years younger no maybe 25.
Woohoo that was sick. I believe we just saw a preview of the outdoors in this one except JS7 will be playing the role of Wiemer in this scenario.
Donavan you just made the dumbest comment ever. Why don't you ask RC how fast is JS outdoors, or just go back and see how many times JS traded moto wins with RC--From start to finish.
Just because you don't like JS, you can't make stupid comments like that.
@JonR290...The truth is Millsaps had a 10 second lead,Dungey crashed then reeled him in like a "C RIDER" and Millsaps said "The guy would'nt get out of my way" (excuse). I'm starting to feel sorry for Millsaps,he's a cool dude,has NO COMPETITION except for Dungey and still can't win on that YAMAFLAW.
I honestly think the 250 guys can beat JGR....sorry Millsaps.
I don't understand how anyone can knock Millsaps. Lets see anyone here crash and have various internal body parts removed and come back to race at the level he is at. He is a freakin hero. Dungey has alway been faster than him, that's just the way it is, but he's 2nd in points and I think JGR got their money's worth with him.
It's called "payback" ! I guess everybody has forgotten about Dungey taking Weiner eailer this year in a corner! GREAT job Jake!
If you put someone down you don't let them come back and pass you then win. Yeah great job Jake.
Dungey didn't bother with him this time,he had a race to win. But there will be another time and Jake knows it. hehe
@Mr-Motorcross. LOL. I think I gave the politically correct take on the event. You added a certain amount of flair.
The dude is always a class act, win, loose or draw.
Dungey needs more press...RACERX!!!!