Insight: Ryan Dungey
Tuesday, June 19, 2012 | 9:30 AM
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You don’t need to give Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey instructions on what to do. When the opportunity is there, he takes full advantage, and right now big guns like Ryan Villopoto, James Stewart and Chad Reed are out of Lucas Oil Pro Motocross with injuries. What has RD5 done in their absence? Win every single moto. He talked about his latest win, at Budds Creek, in the post-race press conference, and yes, admitted he likes racing a lot more when a talent like James Stewart is out there to battle him.
Racer X: All around, just a great day for you.
Ryan Dungey: Yeah, it was really good. Started that way in practice at the beginning of the day. Made a few changes to the clickers for the second practice, and that was really good and helped me get a good time. I got out to good starts today in both motos and that was good. Took a little longer to get to the front, but Mike [Alessi] was riding well, as well as Broc [Tickle]. Then I just put in good laps and went from there.
Ryan Dungey once again dominated the competition at round five at Budds Creek, going 1-1 for the overall.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
Seems like we deal with different elements every week, last week was more hard pack and slick. Here there wasn’t a problem with traction, but there were lots of ruts, bumps, and some tricky off cambers.
Yeah, this has always been a great track, and it seems like they do a better job year after year here. They prepped it really well today. It was deep and rough and never got to the point where it was hard packed anywhere. It was enjoyable and it made for good racing. It wasn’t really one lined, a lot of people will say it was one lined, and it was in a few parts, but for the most part a lot of lines opened up. You had to be really on top of you line choice.
Ryan, no disrespect to any other riders, but at the beginning of the season we knew there would be four or five riders who would be very tough. So my question to you is, when you’re having a really good run of being dominant like you are right now, and you don’t have people pressing you, how hard is it to readjust when the likes of Stewart or Reed or Villopoto come back?
You know, absolutely, having a couple of guys out, like at the beginning of supercross they were all there, and we had some good battles. It was a rough season in supercross, some guys had injuries, and sitting here today, there’s a couple guys out, for sure. It’s two things. When those guys step in, like having James come in, and not downplaying any other riders, but when a guy like James is there, and he has speed, and you know he’s going to be there every weekend, as well as Villopoto and Reed. Having that at the beginning of the season, for me, it was good. It keeps the fire going, it keeps you motivated, it makes it fun to come to the races. I’m not saying it’s not fun to come to the races right now, that’s not what I mean. But the focus….you have to be there and put it out there every weekend, and I’d like to think I do that every weekend. But when a guy is out, it’s actually harder, you have to keep your focus more, because you’re wanting to think it’s going to be easy. And it’s never easy. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I want all those guys to be out there. Knowing that we’re beating the best. It’s a shame that some guys are missing, but that’s part of the game, and I still have to do my job and work hard and try to win races. I have to do my best, and if that means I win, I win. If it’s third or fourth, that’s what it is. For me, I like to focus on myself, and I really look forward to when we’re all on the track racing each other again.
With another overall at Budds Creek, Ryan Dungey now holds a 54-point lead over Mike Alessi.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
Ryan, on the starts you seem to be somewhat conservative. Is that a strategy?
No. I try to get up there as quick as possible. The first moto I started second and I was able to get into first quickly, and that really helps. Every time we take off, I’m doing everything I can to get into first.
Last question. We’re headed to RedBud. Your thoughts.
RedBud is also a really fun track, they do a great job prepping it and they have LaRocco’s Leap which is always fun. So I’m looking forward to it. We have some time off, which is a shame because things are going well, so we’ll just keep working hard and trying to make improvements.
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Appreciate Dungey's candor about not having the top 4 other competitiors in the race. I think he feels things are a little boring without others to battle with... like the first two races.
What a quality young man, a true sportsman, one who represents our sport very well! This past Fathers Day his Dad had a lot to be proud of, as he and his wife have instilled great values in Ryan. Hard work is not a four letter word, it is the foundation on which his career is built upon. Congrats to Ryan, he deserves all the success that comes his way....
@ BD25 often say what I would say but in a much more eloquent way. Look forward to what you have to say most times. I never say anything bad about the riders and very rarleley berate the posters here. There are several of us that have been around for a while. not sure how long you have been here but you are a good person also.
Great rider! Good call on KTM to have him on board!
WOW RD sounded a lot like what I have been saying, The top guys are out and its not as much fun winning when the best guys are out.
. Hmmmm you guys going to bash him now? LOL at some of you guys!! I can make a list if you want LMAO
I always wondered during the Carmichael era what it was that he had that made him so dominant. But more importantly what can the other riders do to step up to challenge? Dungey is at that point of domination with all the top riders out, easily finishing 30+ seconds ahead of 2nd place. That's 1/4 of a lap! Hopefully the talented 250 riders on their way to the 450 class, along with the return of the fallen, will make the battle for the lead more interesting next year, because it doesn't seem that any of the remaining (not currently injured) veterans have been able to do it. I hope James is 100% for Red Bud to put a little excitement back into the 450 race. I would like to see a battle like Freestone but end with the #5 on top this time! :)
Words from a true champion.... it's refreshing to see.
Welker Thank you for the kind words...I have only been posting on here for about a year, before that I just read the articles and went on. Now I am hooked, I enjoy reading all the posts, find it very interesting, all the varied out looks on the riders and our sport. I too, try and not get personal, as I respect all of you, I may have a different opinion and will try to express it as best I can. This sport has been my major interest for over 40 years, but I still can learn from all of you. Thanks to all who enjoy my posts!
BD25 nailed it X2, as did BillC and tomktm. I've never understood how people can bag on Dungey. He makes it look easy, so I guess that equates to slow for some. I respect all these riders immensely, but when they are humble like Dungey, that respect turns to loyalty.
Dungey, always handling the sturdy competion.
Dungey for president! (Meaning no disrespect to Ryan) He really does do an excellent job answering questions with the utmost "correctness". He is a great spokesman of our sport. I gotta admit I miss the fire of Hurricane Bob and some of his rivals of that era. It has come a long way from "I'm gonna make sissy-soup out of the competition!" Bob Hannah 1985 Orlando SX radio ad...
@MR.MX- don' forget the milk! Ryan is a great rider, smooth, fast, and a hard worker. But with him waxing everyone, the battles are for 2nd,3rd, and 4th.
@Welker-get the house all cleaned? How is that Texas heat?
So is Welker pitching or catching when playing ball with BD25?
I have always like Dungey and I would like to be the first to say I was wrong. I would have bet money that he made a bad decision going to KTM. He sure proved me wrong. If anybody doubts Dungey,s talent just stop and think what he is doing in his first year at KTM and on a first
year bike. Increadable.
Not to make myself sound like BillC, but i said it earlier, Everyone thought RC was done when he left Honda and went to Zook, which was the Same thing with dungey. With the pace that these guys are at, you could give them a toysRus bike and they could make it work.
MotoMTBR33 said:
"I hope James is 100% for Red Bud to put a little excitement back into the 450 race."
I hope so too but you can bet that James will NEVER say he's 100% again all year. So even if Dungey beats him, he won't get credit for it. I hope I'm wrong and he handles his return like RV, CR and RD would and just say's "I'm back and ready to go". But, bases on his history, I'll believe it when it happens.......
Mr Mx... In 84, before my first marriage I had to council with a catholic priest, he gave me the same wisdom you started with, after I explained my (non catholic) religious belief to him, his words were...Son there are many ways up the mountain, not ever ones path will be the same. Some will have more bumps in road, some may be more direct, what is important is you follow your path and never give up! His advice does work for moto also, as well as a lot of things in life.. As my son has grown up the one piece of advice I give him every time I see him is Make good decisions!
I totally agree with you, No matter how much talent one has, several things have to fall into place before a goal can be reached.
Ryan has competition every time out, the other 39 riders who may or may not be as fast that day plus the internal competition to be the best he can be that race. I failed in my youth when I raced, I was afraid to give it my best effort against the best because I was afraid of failure. I lost before I started that is why I give credit to all the guys on the line, they give it there best shot each time out...As I have said before the only way to fail is to not try....
Mr-Mx
Nicely said.
No one can say that James is not one of the fastest men to have ever thrown a leg over a motorcycle. I believe you hit the head of the nail when you said poor choices, decisions and lack of focus are what has stood in the way of complete dominance for James. James has raced 11 seasons and 18 championship searies as a pro. He has 4 125 championships, 2 SX championships and 1 450 championship and has crashed out of all the others.
@BD25- nicely said! I seemed to have shared the same experience with the priest and those back in the eigthies too. I guees I didn't listen to well back then but the message makes alot of since today.
RCRDDW it works both ways, If JS comes back and beats RD people will say RD does not need to win he has a big points lead.
Mr Mx Thanks for the props, I still submit things to RacerX hoping one day to see it in print, just have not written the right thing yet..But this time, I wont give up, I will keep trying ..by the way ..your posts are very well thought out and full of information always learn when I read them..
czmark..Yes,Father Peter Hughes was a cool priest, I was so nervous before we met with him, I chained smoked two or three cigs..while talking with him he lit up a smoke..after our wedding he drank at least a six pack of beer..At 27, I still thought I knew it all, as his words did not ring true until I reached my 30's.
BillC Yes, that is one of the trapping that lays before Ryan. If he goes out, crashes trying to beat JS, people will beat him up for being foolish with the points. If he does not beat JS , people will beat him up for winning only when others are not on the line. So what is he to do, stay low risk an go for the Championship and listen to those who will diminish his accomplishment or Go out and try and prove something to his critics??? What would you do..see the big picture or try and prove something....a lot of pressure on a young man.
My guess is, he will not change a thing, he will line up and do the best he can, if he wins great, if not, he will go back to work and try to get better....KTM hired Ryan to win Championships, in my eyes that should be his goal.
I think RD will ride smart and win the title, Not many could hold back and get beat though. Its in the DNA, I just can't imagin RC doing that unless it's the last race and the points are tight. If he has a big lead he would go for the win i think. In fact i know he would because he has done it.
.RD is in a tough spot for sure and You can tell it bugs him...and it should. he did not even seem happy to win the day JS went down... You could see him thinking he we go again 2010 all over again. Its not his fault but it will be said anyway.
Mr Mx Great line and so true!!! Only a wise man would know when to open the door..unfortunately, I was not a wise man...as I fell to temptation more then once...I have had a good time though..lol...Hope you feel better today and things start looking up..Stay positve as we are behind you!! Now off to work on this windy day..Moto on
Mr Mx Yes there are bad apples in every bunch. The Catholic church has been fighting pedophile priest allegations for ever, the young man you describe could have been that or just a casual drug user, who knows.
My shyness and lack of confidence led me to fall into the wrong crowd. Cigarettes, smoking pot, drinking and hanging out, I thought I was part of the IN crowd. It was after college when I learned my own self value and quit doing drugs, I quit smoking in 01 and now just have the cold beer once and a while. I now work out 30 minutes every evening and feel better about myself now than I ever have. One of my goals is to race the over 50 next year and give it my best shot and the other is still to be a photo journalist. I know that it is a long shot, but I will keep trying, I am to old to quit...
Billc, please don't make a list...I might be on it, and I will feel bashed.