Monday Conversation: Ryan Dungey
Monday, July 18, 2011 | 1:50 PM
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At his home track with thousands of his fans watching, Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey won his second national of the year. It was a great ride as he erased an almost ten-second advantage that Ryan Villopoto had on him in the second moto to go 2-1, win the race and more importantly gain a ton of points on the series' leader Chad Reed. It hasn’t been as easy as it was last year for Dungey but he’s hanging around and has almost erased that deficit he had from his DNF at Texas.
After the press conference, I caught up to Ryan as he was leaving and got his thoughts on the day.
Racer X: Ryan, great ride today, home track win.
Ryan Dungey: Thank you, it was good. For how wet the track was and how much rain they got, they did a good job prepping the track. First motos was a little mucky for sure and I got second. Second moto I got a good start, lost some time in the beginning of the race but was able to make it up and pass for the lead and get the overall on the day. Absolutely, it’s great to be here in front of family and friends and get the win. It’s a step in the right direction.
In the second moto, RV was pulling out a big lead early. What kind of adjustments did you make to catch up to him?
I just didn’t stop pushing, I was losing a little time every lap but around half-way, I could see that my times were starting to get better and better. I was matching his if not better. I realized that I was right there and it’s important to look at your pit-board to know where you’re at. It’s cool to make that push, it was tough and I was able to catch him and make the pass. I think that second moto came down to a lot of fitness.
Dungey picked up his second overall of the year at Millville, and more importantly a handful of championship points.
Photo: Brian Robinette
It also looked like to me and from some people I talked to that were in the back, that you found a few different lines that seemed to work also.
I was able to find a few different ones and early on I was struggling to find them. It was good, I was able to lock in on some good ones.
So you have to be feeling good about this win going into the second half.
Absolutely, for sure like I said- it’s a big step in the right direction and building some momentum here. I have to try and get maximum points but it’s early and there are still lots of races left. It’s important to keep it one race at a time, it’s important to keep locked down, keep pushing hard and we’ll see how we do.
Next year you’re a free agent and there’s lots of talk about that, can you give us any idea on what’s going on with that?
It’s a lot of stuff. Just try to keep moving, focus on my deal and let that other stuff happen.
So is it hard to keep focused on racing with all that going on or is it business as usual?
Business as usual.
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Way to go Ryan! Outstanding effort and showing of true skill, keep it up.
Sad that RV took a digger. The 5 minute battle they had before the pass was awesome and I know it would have gone down to the checkers had RV not crashed.
Thats the kind of battle I've been waiting to see.
If I was Ryan,
Honda would be the best move.. not sure about the cash but at least he would have one of the best bikes.
Suzuki.. probably a good time to move and don't forget the goose.. Drag him kicking and screaming if you have to.
Yamaha.. urr a ride with JS7 and JGR.. no way. That bike sounds like its not dialed yet.
Kawi.. Might be good.. not sure if they can cash flow both the Villa and Dungey
KTM...If it was my career I don't think I would do it. Why be the one stressing about this bike/team has never one a championship in the states. Do it in 5 to 7 years.
Therefore, stay with Suzuki or go with Honda or let Larry Brooks start a team and you can do the Chad Reed thing whatever years ago.. That would be solid. But, would LR do the Nationals?
@RH709 - Dungey was going faster than Villopoto and the only thing holding him back was the lack of places to pass (a common theme at many of the tracks this year). Once he made tha pass, it was over. RV wasn't catching him.
Nice ride, Ryan! I hope you stay with Suzuki, but either way, I'll still be pulling for you.
As a long time Suzuki rider, I would like to see him stay with them, but Ryan has the talent to win on any brand including KTM. Canard, Villopoto and Dungey will make racing interesting for the next several years .
I am not working for KTM. But believe me if they put as much work and effort into the bikes as they do here in europe, RD will have really no problem to win the championship - the bike will eventually even push him forward too.
It's not only the kawis, suzis, hondas ;-) And money may not be a matter - i mean the issue of preping and building the bike...
really Sef? RV set lap times a second faster than Dungey yet you can predict he couldn't have caught him had he not lost the front end when RD passed him.....?
You belong in front Ryan,.. believe it more so now, than ever. ATTABOY!! (same as a medal)
uh ohhhhhh,,,,who's the lap time keeper guy????? billC hun is that you?? :) its ok we understand.
Ripdown RD was making a lot of time up and he was doing it on other lines (ie outside lines) i dont think he would have checkd out but i think as soon as dungey was out front he was going to have it... he made up what? 10secs?
I will root for Dungey over Reed and think he should go to Honda or stay at suzuki, but RV is my guy. One thing I noticed is Dungey seems to get a fire lit when RV is in front of him and goes after him....If that was Reed, Dungey would have just followed him around the entire race ....just weird....Good race for Dungey to win in front of the home towners and RV looked good until that 5:00 mark..too bad he fell but he looked kind of off most the day in my opinion. Nice that RV was honest and no BS about his fall being RD's fault and that he just faded a bit and lost ground..good thing for RV is he made some big points up on Reed, but lost a few to RD....Washougal is RV's home turf...so hopefully he pulls the O/A next week and possibly the points lead....
Hey, I take nothing away from Dungey. He's a phenomenal talent and I love watching him ride but when it comes time to bang bars and get aggressive I'll give the nod to RV.....of course it's already been stated that RV could never catch him so I suppose it's a moot point........
and Joe Blow! lap times are very much relevant as a reference of speed or potential speed.....
I am a RV fan and I was really wondering if Dungey was as good as people were saying, last year he was more aggressive and fast this year I think he wasn't quite where he wanted to be. Once RV got into the lead I thought it was over then I just to watch how far Dungey was behind Villopoto and I have to say I am impressed just cause everyone said that if Villopoto was able to get out front and get some sort of a lead noone would the best match him, but RD matched and beat him so congratulations to Dungey and he has one of the best attitudes out there (well Canard and him are about the same). This is a great year for racing just glad that I can watch.
Love me some RYAN!
Really Ripdown......... At that point in the moto Dungey's fitness was clearly better than Villipoto's and it no longer was about who could throw down the best lap times while riding fresh.... RV was getting tired and had nothing left for RD. Probably why RV fell in the corner, to tired to muscle himself out of trouble.....
In Sef's defense, at that point in the race, RD was turning a 2:05 to RV's 2:08. He caught him, made the pass and IMO he would've won with a few seconds to spare. Just as RD said himself, it came down to a matter of fitness and he wasn't letting this one slip away. RD had a lot of "Get Up And Go" left in him and it showed. Congrats to Ryan Dungey on a great come from behind win and remember, consistency wins Championships!
I wanna know what him and RV were thinking when they saw Reed go into orbit!
Yes, the first 6 laps RV was faster( the 6 fastest laps of the moto were RV's), Then on lap 7 they both slowed down but RV slowed down more. RD picked up 1/2 sec on lap 7 and 8, 3 sec on lap 9, then 1sec, than another 1/2 then the pass. RD threaded the needle on that pass, VERY nice pass!!
Dungey catches alot of heat not being aggressive to make passes. But the tracks are not lending themselves to very many passing lanes. the timed qualifying makes everything to one-lined. But Dungey looked tough there. If I was Dungey, he just might to want to stay with Suzuki, its obvious he has a great bike. The only advantage Honda has is more resources and experience with supercross and suspension. But it looks as if Dungey is doing pretty darn good. Why would you want to be a part of KTM's growing pains for the next 2 or 3 years?? His chances at a Title may have come and gone by then.
If Reed loses this championship by 4 points or less Honda will be kicking themselves for not holding a pitboard sign for Canard and Windham that said:
"Let Chad By" allowing him to pick up valuable points when Canard and Windham are non-factors. That what "factory" teamates are for.
That's all well and good....I just find it funny when someone sitting a keyboard somehow knows what physical state a rider is in during a race or whether someone would be able to click it up a notch and try and make a pass back that's all.
But if you say it's 'a matter of fitness' and Dungey is in better shape then I guess you must know more about these guys than I do? Would've thought Villopoto would've been in shape by now with Aldon Baker as his trainer? He seemed fine in the post race interview?
Dungey should sweep the rest of the series from here on out then. Oh well, hope the guys can at least make it interesting.
No way RV beats RD on this day. First moto he and CR left him for most of the race in 5th or 6th. He needs to be more aggresive in his passing I think BillC. If you watched the race on TV then you saw very little of what actually happened on the track. RD pushed CR relentlessly and ate more mud doing it than you can imagine. Reed never passed anyone and had to throw his goggles away you can imagine how it was pushing him to the point your face is in direct line with his roost. RD showed him his wheel many times. CR knows how to protect a line and did an excellent job of it. Can't give RD more credit he earned every point. Now with that said I wouldn't bet against RV on his track this week. Awesome racing.
I hope Dungey pulls this title off, his speed is undeniable and I really thought that RV2 was going to blow the doors off of this title hunt. Dungey is the most consistent guy out there right now and would be 19 points ahead without that Freestone DNF. He's making tons of money from his sponsors and I think he should stay with the team that took a long shot on him straight from the B class. I think we are yet to see RD's best racing days and IMO going to KTM could be a mistake for him. That Suzuki is a good bike and it would be nice to see him show some loyalty and stick it out with Suzuki for another 2 years.
Great job Dungey!! It was all you that second motor. Keep digging deep! It was sooo cool seeing RD be that aggressive and just really going for it.
Christian wrote:
I am not working for KTM. But believe me if they put as much work and effort into the bikes as they do here in europe, RD will have really no problem to win the championship - the bike will eventually even push him forward too.
It's not only the kawis, suzis, hondas ;-) And money may not be a matter - i mean the issue of preping and building the bike...
oh yeah, in europe ktm is the best bike. in usa ktm has some problems because there are different regulations.
In those conditions and at his home track Dungey outshaped Vilo. Yeah RV is and was faster until he hit the wall
For Dungey to finally catch and pass one of those two has to be huge for his confidence
Reed and Dungey stepped it up this weekend.
TGO !
JD
Perhaps RD didn't have much time to talk. Wish someone would get RD or RV's perspective on watching CR lose it off the jump. Also, would have like to of heard something about RD's pass on RV. I love'd seeing something more aggressive out of RD. Hope he keeps making some more aggresive moves like that when required to get the posistion.
I think Dungey's deal will be between Suzuki and KTM. The other teams are pretyy locked in with top riders. KTM dominates in Europe so I don't think it's a matter of having the bike to do it. I think RD would kill it on a KTM 450 (not 350) with the proper prep time. I'm pulling for Dungey with Reed not far behind.
RV2 mentioned in his podium interview that fitness my have played a role in the race win.
Matthes: Ryan, you and Villo are right behind Reed when he fell, did you see him in the air?, if yes, what did you think at that moment?
sorry for my bad English
Dungey just put on a good ride clinic. I really thought after seeing Reed crash Dungey was more than happy w/ a second place. Nope, the male model clearly has game. I saw him working his bike at colorado. He was seriously getting traction where reed and poto could just hold the throttle and wait for the tire to hit the ground. Its almost like Deano in the 250's. He can manuel anything and always keeps that zook hooking up. I've been such a poto fan ever since he went pro and killed alessi, but dungey diserves all the wins/dough/publicity/poon tang that he's getting. Just imagine if he didn't run outa gas at freestone, he'd be ga ga ga gone from reed. Please Ryan,,,, Stay on the Suzuki, its already proven you can win, get championships. U dont need roger. roger is an A'hole anyway. Suzuki will pay whatever dungey wants, and he'll be w/ goose. home sweet home. If he were to move , it would be to KTM. But other than money why??? why try to make a winning team and bike, when you already have both. Let James deal w/ roger. DONT LEAVE SUZUKI!!!! my opinion KTM should stick w/ musky, rocky and eff it, get james the whiney lil beeeotch. KTM can always bring cairoli if they want a "front runner" Good ride Dunge, making me a fan due!
Ditto most of what OrganDoner just said. I'm hoping, though I know it's unlikely, that Dungey stays on the Suzuki. And I was there in Colorado too, Dungey was killing it through the corner before the finish line jump, noticeably faster and harder than anyone else. Way to go Dungey on the Spring Creek win, keep it up!
awesome! dungey's gotta always ride like that (a lo carmichael)! he'd kill them all...he and villo (and maybe canard) would be the only top contenders and everyone else would be racing for third or fourth. anyway, i hope dungey takes the points lead from aussie soon. reed's been really lucky lately with no dnfs. go dungey and villo!!!
Seriously.....can we stop with thew what ifs? Yes if Dunge hadn't DNF'd he likely would've been in the points lead. But since we don't have crystal balls we don't know if he'd of kept it? There is a lot of pressure when you're the leader and a lot less when you've DNF'd and nobody expects you to recover. It's possible he's been riding as well as he has lately because he was so far back in the points and wasn't expected to make them up....No Pressure???? Just a thought.
Everybody expects Dundey to make up the points. I know I do.
Bill if he signs with KTM, You will see that bike on the top of the box period. Its not all about the bike, but those ktm's sure are sweet and they are throwing a lot of money at the sport.
Ripdown apparently those lap time you speak of from Villapoto were not every lap or Dungey would not have closed up to him...
Agree with all the comments on Dungey staying with Suzuki. With money being the only possible issue in question, there is no reason to leave a brand that has clearly worked for him; he is a natural fit on the Suzuki. There are a great deal of unknowns with switching brands... particularly with KTM. No track record in the U.S. = unnecessary risk and not worth the gamble.
Dungey should definitely stay with Suzuki. The success he has had shouldnt be messed with. He is almost guaranteed to be up there every race
Hey Bill KTMs are not a bad choice at all for Dungey. Look at Europe and see how dominant they are. Alessi and short are breaking top ten so its just a couple yrs short in the USA. I can tell you tho its going to happen and once KTM starts winning here its going to be a 10 yr domination.
I really hope this drone doesn't win the championship. He bores me big time.
I'm pulling for Villopoto to win this title (as I did in SX) mostly because he has not won one yet and I love to see guys get their first titles...
But with that said, I think it's safe to say Dungey is no fluke as MANY people said he was last year. The kid is every bit as capable of winning a title as anyone on the planet.
The thing I know about Clark Kent is that if he gets a little more aggressive with the other riders, he will become Superman.
Great ride RD1 , if you stay aggressive you can win this.
So much respect for Reed good to see riders can create new options to keep their carreer going and then have some of the best results they have every had.
RV2 will be so o
n it at his home track.
TC41 is a player and they all better be looking over their shoulder for this kid.
I think we are in for years of good racing like this.
BillC.......I was thinking the same thing. Would be nice to hear what they were thinking when Chad launched. From what I saw at the podium, RD and RV were smiling big time when they heard how close the points were again. If CR would have went 1-1 the season may have been over, but that's what makes racing fun. They've all had their bad day now and may the best man win.
@blb
I wasn't suggesting those times were every lap. Was suggesting he had the potential to put in those kind of laps and had he not washed out the front end when Dungey passed him it's possible he could of caught back up with him and made it interesting all the way to the finish. That would have been cool...
Those of us who disagree with you, Ripdown, are saying that if he was capable of those fast laps later in the moto, he would have used them to maintain the big lead he had early on. Dungey simply had more in the tank at the end - which is why he caught him and why he passed him. It's doubtful RV would have chased him down at that point.
just a big ol' ball of emotion that Cryin' Done-G is!
he gives the absolute best interview in motorsports, hands down. such an exciting character. just never know what crazy-off the wall stuff he's going to say next!
RV has shown speed and consistency. Each rider will go down hard once. Its how they respond to it. RV at Red Bud =9th and Reed at Millville(Lucky to be walking) = 14th. Dungey has yet to go down. His time is coming.They are all pushing the limits. In the end, RV is the fastest while being fairly consistent. He has a slightly better chance than the other 2.
@ DMP19
Dungey almost had his moment in Moto 1 at Milleville. Came oh so close to going over the bars while applying pressure to Reed at end of one of the whoop sections. He was very lucky to keep it on the track......anything can and usually does happen. At least it seems that way this summer. Great to be a fan.
Dungey has been down this year, but his mistakes are usually smaller. He receives criticism for not "hanging it out," but that may well be his path to the championship.
@ Peelout,
Not everyone can be as cool as you, bro. I bet shit just rolls off your shoulders you're so cool.
RD is a great racer and excellent effort all year, but come on that guy gives the worst "corporate" interviews period. How about letting a little personailty show through. I am at the point now if I see another RD wake-up call I am going to pass. It is the same blah-blah crap everytime
WAY TO GO RD ! CONGRATS!
If carioli can win in the mxgp's
Than you can too (here in the states) with the Man,and the Goose.
On the 350!
@comfortably_dumb
please don't deface the name and legacy of Pink Floyd with your stupidity.
Really hope Dungey stays at Suzuki. They have taken him through the ranks to get to where he is now. Dungey seems like a loyal guy so bet he will stay. Goose is the best mech out there. But I could see him going to KTM and back with Decoster. They both have the same initials too.
@ peelout,
please don't deface the name and legacy of Humanity with your stupidity, bro.