by Steve Cox
5 Minutes with... Ryan Dungey
Wednesday, July 7, 2010 | 8:00 AM
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PrintTo say that Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey has been dominant since round two doesn’t come close to telling the whole story. Yes, he has won five in a row since he failed to break the top five in either moto at Hangtown, but sometimes things just roll your way. A good example of this was during the epic first-moto battle that included as many as six guys at the front (Ben Townley, Dungey, Chad Reed, Andrew Short, Josh Grant and Brett Metcalfe). Townley led the whole race, and on the last lap he overjumped a step-up and landed in some ruts and crashed pretty hard. If his bike had gone to the right, it would’ve slowed down or knocked down Ryan Dungey. But it went to the left and did that to Chad Reed instead. Dungey won the moto on what really ended up being a 50/50 shot. We caught up with him after the race to get his take on it.
Ryan Dungey: You know, it was a freak accident. We were all pushing real hard and it’s just one of them deals. He [Townley] went down. I was lucky I didn’t get caught up in the back of him. I was able to remount and still win. I’m just trying to improve. I think there’s always room for improvement and with all the races going on, I just try to take it one at a time. At the same time, it’s a long series and you’ve got to be there every single weekend. I’m just trying to put down good laps and be the best I can be. I need to worry about myself and not worry about the whole field, so I think it was good I didn’t get wrapped up into that.
I asked Roger Decoster last week about what it is about Ryan Dungey, and he basically said that you’re a complete racer from start to finish – from your eating habits, to your training, your riding... He says you’re not missing anything.
I think there are a lot of things that I’m very fortunate to have: To be able to work with a team like Rockstar/Makita Suzuki, and have Roger as the team manager... I’ve been able to work with a lot of great people. Throughout my career, I’ve just tried to learn. I’ve always been a sponge and I always want to keep improving. I never feel like I know it all. At the same time, one thing I’ve been able to learn in the past and put forward to the future is to take the good and leave the bad. There’s always something to learn. I think Windham said it at a press conference, but he’s been pro for 16 years and he’s always learning something. So, I’m just trying to have an open mind and keep moving forward and just keep trying to go faster.
Faster, for your riding style, seems like that takes work because you’re a smooth, deliberate rider. How do you go faster?
Obviously, it takes hard work and effort and practice. I don’t think you ever get to a point [where you’re fast enough]. You’re just always trying to keep going faster and faster. Some days go better than others at the practice track. It’s just a constant learning experience and you’re just always trying to find that speed. It’s good because it forces you to move faster and the other guys force you to work harder. Every year the sport is being raised to another level and I want to be up there and be a part of that. It’s just one of them deals where you go out everyday trying to work on what you thought could have been better, or your bad habits – anything – so it’s a constant learning experience, at the end of the day.
The line for Ryan Dungey's autograph at RedBud was massive.
Photo: Steve Cox
Earlier today, I was walking through the pits and there was a line of people, and I was thinking, "What is this about?" because I was not even near your truck so I didn’t think it could be your line for autographs. I looked up and followed the line and it went straight to you you signing autographs. What is that like to just have that ridiculous demand?
To have fans behind you, it’s cool. They make our sport really what it is. When you’re out there racing and you’ve got fans screaming like crazy like today at RedBud, there’s a little part of you that’s like, "Wow..." It’s kind of a cool deal. I just try to enjoy it. The fans enjoy it as do we. We’re out there racing, and it’s cool to see that. Any sport you look at, I think when they show the stands and people are going crazy, you’re like, "Wow, they’re getting into it." So it’s cool to see. It’s definitely really cool.
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Yzsean is going to have boner when he sees this. He'll be sniffing a pair of Ryans underwear while reading the article.
lol, dungey gonna end up getting a restraining order against him.
Hmmmmmmm when I say he got a little luck I take heat But RD said it himself!!
You two made me laugh!!
I saw that line for Dungey at Red Bud, there is no way would I stand in a line that long. It was massive. Everyone elses line was about one-third of Dungeys. To win a title everyone has to have some luck. Especially with the speed that several riders seem to have now. Anymore a rider seems lucky to stay healthy for an entire season.
Dungeys lucky to not have you as a fan BillC
good interview. Ryan is still working on that personality thing, but he's getting it
Lucky Dungey.....nothing but pure luck.....Okay I'm kidding.... as they say, you make your own breaks. I had a hockey coach that always said "good luck is what happens after hard work" ...especially when the puck would take a fortunate bounce our way.....and the truth is he was right.... You work hard, you do all the right things, and luck will eventually fall your way on occasion..... It could just as easily have favored Reed or BT101.......
Class act. Great champion, wins with no disrespect towards his comp. yet, BillC still finds fault in him...... Weird. Maybe Bill needs to wipe the Stewart from his nose and look at it open-mindedly. His "favorite" is out.... again, (villipoto, stewart, ) and he has to run smack on Ryan. Get Sef and you two go to a leather bar and drink some Apple-tini's and bash on Rd5 together..ok?
Being there and watching them duking it out was awesome. I really thought Townley had him. The best race so far this yr and the best part was Reedy was closing in on RD and Townley. They were all 3 on air at ski jump almost whole race. Man I wish Townley held it. Same thing happened to JS at Red Bud 2007 when he was leading RC last lap.
WTF are you talking about, fatguy? I dare you to find ONE comment I've made that was disrespectful to Dungey. I've argued with the "Dungey's not that good" crowd (including BillC) regularly. In fact, I even stick up for yzsean occasionally! (Except for the spelling thing.) Thanks for the ignorance. Nice to know you're thinking of me.
154, my point is you and billc are constantly b@tching about something to each other, I have heard you and Billys rant. Yzsean is a stud! Spelling and all. He needs nobody backing him up. You are welcome for thinking of you. The leather bar comment was just a thought, You seem like a typical lib. who enjoys Apple-tini's. Thats all. REED RULES!!!!!!, wait, no he doesn't........
oh yea, It's FatTireGuy..... not "fatguy"
yzsean is a stud?? Is there something you would like to tell us fattireguy?? LOL maybe u would like go to that leather bar with sean?? Also How did I find ANY fault with RD in this thread?? Also I say for the 100th time JS is NOT my Fav rider.... are u trying to push my buttons ?? LMAO!!
You can say what you wont but the simple truth is i am a RD5 fan. And he is the fastest man on the planet right now! To the haters out there i hope your riders get well soon so we can really see who is the fastest. To my friends that post thanks for being i am glad you understand it's just a sight were you can say what you wont. Some take it way to literally it's just fun something to do to talk to others that love this sport. Every one have fun posting even if it is at my expense that's ok! DUNGEY RULES!!!!!!!!!
PS.. Sef and i have been Perfect Gentleman for...well almost a week i would guess :)
He is just showing everyone how its done. Dungey is still my fav but I want more specific answers, It great he gives props to his support team those guys don't get that enough, but how about some specific emotions or technical comments on one of the 6 awesome passes he made that didn't stick in moto one the best race of the season IMHO.
The fastest rider on the planet is sittin at home in Florida eating DQ
Thats my point in the other thread 65 cobra, People...(bd) seems to think RD did not want to pucrap to win (because he is smart), Well he passed 5 times and could not seal the deal till BT fell. Way was that not talked about?? Come on COX ask him 10'xs why he could not get by BT LOL
just wait til jlaw gets back...it's all over then! (sarcastic alert). good job to ryan and team suzy and especially the dungey family!
ktoom...the fastest rider doesn't race anymore so that means ryan is the best in the world at this time
BILL" It was great racing RD- BT-CR and Short were on it in that 1 moto who cares who won that was just great racing! Now if any one can step up and hang with RD5 in the 2 moto we might see someone else win maybe. DUNGEY RULES!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes Sean, Best MOTO I have seen in a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG time, Still can't believe Shorty can't hold on for a hole moto.... But he was ridding better than I have seen him in a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time, Did not back down and went right back at him. That pass in Moto 2 on RD was sweet, no room but he made it. To bad he could not ride the hole moto like that.
The second fastest rider in the world is also sitting at home in Florida. Dungey thanks his lucky stars he is riding the couch instead of his yz!
Mr. Personality said what Alessi should've said a year or two ago: I think there are a lot of things that I’m very fortunate to have: To be able to work with a team like Rockstar/Makita Suzuki, and have Roger as the team manager... I’ve been able to work with a lot of great people. Throughout my career, I’ve just tried to learn. If those words would've come out of Tony's kid he'd maybe have a #1 plate on his bike.
If you want Cox, next time you can interview me and pretend that I'm Dungey -- I can tell you exactly how he'd respond to each question, but I'll throw in some extra stuff.
Did I (accidently) get your name wrong, ftg? I guess that's the kind of thing that happens when you wrongly accuse people of "bashing" riders (and drinking "Apple-tini's" at "leather bars"). Then you have to throw in a political dig just for good measure. I have as much (or more) disdain for your politics as you do for mine, but at least I recognize that this is a MOTO site and TRY to keep politics out of it (until the conservatives blatantly fancy themselves as political commentators out here on the MOTO threads). One big reason I have yzsean's back is his attitude that "it's just fun something to do to talk to others that love this sport." I must say, though, Sean, that "the simple truth is i am a RD5 fan" is the BIGGEST understatement of the year!!!
yamalink" So true, so true. Roger has put three talented, hard working guys, with a top wrench, at the top of our sport.
Dungey is a super good guy and everything but god is he boring... All his answers can be summed up like this: "I'm always trying to improve during the week, I have a great team and at the end of the day I'm glad to be in a good position going into next weekend."
You forgot SUPERPUMPED LOL!
Jlaw wasn't boring. I wonder if he can stand to check in on the racing anymore LOL.
Dungey does interviews like tiger woods when people ask him about his marriage. Its racing! lighten up Dunge sponge.
btw does he talk with a lisp?
Man, I haven't laughed out loud reading peoples post in a long time....People thought I was goofing off while at work.....Oh wait!!!.....I was!!!.... Hilarious stuff guys.
ya know bramp 450 it could only be you talkin smack.only you would try to wiggle in with your bs. dungey is a true gentlemen and a multi champion with many more to come. leave your negativity at home ah. said it once before and just have to say it again your a loser, get a life .best of luck to dungey and suzuki !! rock on..
SELF" Thanks there are some great posters on here you,fatttire,bd200 and even billc and many others every one has a opinion and that's great. And we all don't have the same one but that's what makes this a great country we can! Some of the bashers are a little brash i get that they were not loved as children that's ok! DUNGEY RULES!!!!!!!!!
You guys missed a few points: First, Dungy didn't follow BT101 and Reed did. That's not luck, that's smart racing. Second, Reed was catching Dungy cuz BT waz holding him up. (speculation). Three, there are two motos. There person in the best shape won. No luck there either. Reed could've gone 2-1 for the overall, but he couldn't pull it off.
Socalxr is right. Dungey doesn't follow people. BT admitted he was tired and made a mistake. PCwrench, The Man has put way more than 3 guys on the top step. Who do you think was at the helm when Honda dominated for so long? Why do people bag on Dungey for being boring? He's a gentleman, humble and genuine. He is a great example for the kids who look up to him. Flashy jerk only goes so far in this world. Just ask two of the biggest wastes of talent we've seen in a while: Jflaw and Hansen! (Sorry Donnie, no disrespect on you).
Congrats dungey, great race...RD is owning those old guys lol, hes justs keeps coming,, and things just work out his way...
I forget, how many championship points do they give for exciting interviews? There's lots of interesting and entertaining interviews from guys that don't win.
how boring and generic
Why do people care about his personality? Are you looking for date? Dungey is what, like 20 years old? That's a hell of a lot to shoulder at such a young age. I would've been like "Ummm...duh..." if I was being interviewed when I was that old, and I bet it'd be the same for most of you. Give the kid a chance.
Not everyone is Hannah when it comes to personality.
great interview. all i have to say is MINNESOTA NICE! you guys keep looking for more "interesting" interviews in your lil cubical and he will go on winning championships racing motorcycles... talk about intesting huh?.....irony
Socalxr nailed it. Dungey rides smart all the time and it's not 'luck' when you put yourself in a good psitin and things go your way. Funny how the only questionable Dunge act was riding so close to Alessi without goggles and look how much respect he gained for it. Don't mistake class for lack of personality. The kids focused on being the fastest racer on the track, not the best interviewer. My bet is he has personality in spades. I bet J-law isn't even as much of a turd as he appears to be in interviews. Give the Dunge a year or two to get used to being the best or give him more challanges and I think he will loosen up a bit more for the media.