Thoroughly dominating this series, Ryan Dungey won both motos at the legendary Unadilla Raceway last weekend to take the U.S. Outdoor Motocross championship in the 450 class with two rounds remaining. This is the first U.S. 450 Motocross championship for KTM. Here is the full press release received from KTM by MD.
New Berlin, NY – Red Bull/KTM Factory rider Ryan Dungey made history once again as he went 1-1 at Unadilla Raceway to take the overall victory and the crown as the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro 450 Motocross Champion.
Dungey started 5th in the first moto and suffered a crash within the first lap causing him to fall to 11th place. He quickly rebounded and moved back into the top ten on the next lap. He used the remaining laps to pick off riders as he climbed to the top of the pack and eventually put his KTM 450 SX-F into the lead at the two lap board. When the checkered flag flew, Dungey crossed the finish line to take the first moto victory.
Fans lined the fence for the start of moto two in anticipation of watching Dungey make history for KTM as he rode his way to victory in the second moto to claim KTM’s first 450 Motocross Championship. Dungey launched off to a 4th place start and moved into 3rd by the fourth corner. The next lap he leaped into 2nd and moments later he had passed for the lead. Dungey never looked back and went on to lead the remaining laps to claim the overall and his first championship on the KTM brand.
“It has been an amazing year with the Red Bull/KTM Team,” remarked Dungey on the podium. “I am so happy to clinch this championship and so grateful to every member of the Red Bull/KTM Team and my family that have helped me get here today. When I joined the KTM team last October, Roger told me that we would be championship contenders and I believed him. It has come true today.”
Red Bull/KTM Factory Team Manager Roger DeCoster was elated with Dungey’s victory, stating, “The team and Ryan have worked so hard this season. We have seen him have success in Supercross and then suffer an injury only to come back stronger. This is a great moment for the team, for KTM and for Ryan. We are very proud of him and look forward to running the number one plate at the final two races.”
Get ready, this is going to be the way it’s going to be for a long long time. You’r seeing the beginning of a new dynasty. KTM is totally vested in winning in AMA Moto/Supercross, Dungy, Rocen, Decoster, KTM engineering, and commitment. I can’t wait!!!
They’re the biggest off road moto manufacturer in the world. If it weren’t for our roller coaster economy/land access issues this would’ve happened 10-15 years ago. I say welcome to them. I hope they do something cool with smaller displacement road bikes here in the US (I’ve heard about the 350 duke).
Funny, but that picture is the same as what his competion saw all season… his back.
Yes, congrats to him. Hopefully Reed and Villapoto will be healthy next year to make it tougher for him.
As for Stewart… Funny how he signed up for the season, thinking Dungey was out, and that he could bag an easy title without the heavy hitters on the rostrum to compete with. So much for that plan…
Vilipoto and Stewart are nearly reliable in their likelihood to sit out part of the season injured.
Nice! Congrat’s to Ryan and the whole Redbull/KTM Team.