Ryan Dungey - Motocross

Ryan turned pro in 2006, landing a spot in the factory Suzuki rig. As this was originally published in early 2007, the story of his career was about to be written.

Photo by MNRacing.com

Last Updated, October 12, 2011
As of this writing, Ryan had left the Makita Suzuki team, the only team he has ridden for as a professional, joining the upstart Red Bull Factory KTM team. As this went to press, he had 10 weeks to get the KTM ready to grab podiums, something they have never done in the 450 class.

This sign of early promise was recently discovered in the 2005 Archives.

2007 – Ryan made his Supercross debut with a win at Atlanta. From there he had several rounds with bad luck sometimes bordering on bizarre. He escaped that black cloud and won the last three races of the East series, and topped it off with a win in the East/West Shootout. In the outdoors, he finished a season-high second at Unadilla and looked to have a shot at third in the championship until getting injured and missing the last three rounds. He still finished fifth.

2008 – This year saw Ryan switch from the East to the often more competitive West in Supercross.He won three races and lead the points for quite a while, but some late falls and bad luck saw him finish second in the championship. He capped that season off with another win in the East / West shootout. In the outdoors, he was the only rider not on Kawasaki to win an outdoor national in 2008, breaking through for his first win at Washougal. He followed that up by winning his home race at Millville and then again at Steel City, winning three of the last four nationals.

2009 – Competing again in the West, he won four races on his way to the West 250 Championship. In the outdoors, he fought with Christophe Pourcel all year, wining four more nationals on his way to eking out a hard-earned 250 AMA Motocross Championship over the more experienced Frenchman. He then switched to the 450 class, with his first race being as captain of the US MXdN team. He responded by taking the individual overall win and leading the team to its record-stretching 20th Motocross des Nations championship. He re-signed with Suzuki an was set to be their lead rider in the premier classes in Supercross and Motocross.

2010 - Ryan stepped up to the premier class in 2010 and had a season like few others before him. After winning six rounds on his way to the 450 Supercross championship, he then dominated the 450 nationals, winning ten of twelve rounds and 19 motos. He topped off the season by leading the USA to another Motocross Des Nations title.

2011 - Dungey had another strong year in 2011, winning one Supercross race, but coming up short to Ryan Villipoto in the Championship. In the outdoors he won four nationals, but the championship was again Villipoto’s. At the Motocross des Nations, Villopoto and Dungey went 1-2 in the third and deciding moto, giving Team USA another team win.

Career Highlights:
Won 3 Major AMA Championships,28 Overall Wins
2009 250 (Lites) West Supercross Champion
2009 250 Motocross Champion
2010 450 Supercross Champion
2010 450 Motocross Champion
7 250 Motocross Wins
7 450 Supercross Wins
14 450 Motocross Wins
3 Motocross des Nations Team championships (2 Individual), 2009, 2010, 2011.