MXA MINI-VIEW: CHATTING WITH RYAN DUNGEY BEFORE ANAHEIM 2

On Thursday afternoon before Anaheim 2 we got the chance to sit down with “Mr. Consistant,” Ryan Dungey, to pick his brain about his season thus far, track layouts, riding with aggression, the all-new KTM Factory Edition 450SXF, and much more.

Interview and photos by Spencer Rathkamp

MXA: We are heading into round three this weekend. How would you say the first two rounds have been for you?

RD: I would say the first couple of rounds have been good. At Anaheim 1 I finished in fourth place and that wasn’t bad. Obviously I wanted to do a little bit better, but walking away with a solid finish from Anaheim 1 is always good. It’s always a chaotic one. Then Phoenix was a little bit better, I ended up on the podium, which was good. I felt like I rode well, but I could’ve been a little bit better with positioning. There are a couple of areas that I can be better in, but I’m excited in where we are sitting. I feel like we are getting better every week.

MXA: Do you think that the track layout was relatively easy at Anaheim 1, while Phoenix offered more challenges?

RD: From press day at the first Anaheim, I knew that it was going to be tough to make up ground, and it was. At Anaheim I didn’t get a great start and as things spread out it made it tougher to gain ground. It was very slippery and everything just stayed where it was. Phoenix was more technical, with some bigger whoops, and the racing was a bit tighter. The whoops were certainly tough, but as a rider, it is your responsibility to know where to make that ground up. We are all racing the same track. I think the competition is a little bit closer so it makes for good racing.

MXA: What do you think of this layout for Anaheim 2?

RD: I have seen the layout, but we only got to ride a little piece of it and they always make a couple changes. It’s always good to ride press day because you get a chance to get a feel for the track. We will see how it is come race day.

Known for consistency rather than riding aggressively, Dungey’s strategy has paid dividends in the past. The question is, will it all work out in the end for Ryan? Time will tell.

MXA: Speaking of racing, you are known for not being the most aggressive person on the track. How do you feel about being known for that?

RD: I think bottom line, it doesn’t mater what everyone else thinks or says. When I am out there, I am pushing myself as hard as I can, whether it’s behind a guy trying to make a pass or in front of someone trying to get away. I’m doing my best and that’s all I need to know and not worry about all of the naysayers. What people don’t realize is to me, consistency is extremely important. Do I want to win more? Yeah, absolutely I do, but the consistency will pay off for me. If I get aggressive and hit someone, I am putting myself at a big risk of going down and finishing outside of the top ten, so it isn’t always necessary. I want to be there at the end.

MXA: How do you like the new Factory Edition KTM 450SXF?

RD: The new 450 is really good. I was very impressed with it right away. Everything with it is above and better than in the past, from the engine to the chassis, so it’s great. I’m really happy with it and I really enjoy riding the bike every single day.

Ryan Dungey sits nine points back of ex-teammate, Ken Roczen, for the 450 Supercross points lead.

MXA: Andrew Short is running an air fork and shock. Have you done much testing with those parts?

RD: No, I haven’t ridden them yet and I know Shorty [Andrew Short] is racing on the full air suspension, but if they get to the point where it is consistently better than a spring then I will be sure to jump on it. The spring is pretty tough to beat for us right now, but if the air suspension comes and proves us wrong then I’m sure we will go that way.

MXA: You have worked with a few trainers before, but you have also worked on your own for a lot of your career. How’s the transition to working with Aldon Baker?

RD: Great! Aldon has been a great help. He makes it possible for me to only focus on my training and riding and not having to put my own program together. Plus I’m woking with someone I trust, so I am able to put everything in his hands and just do my job to the best of my ability. I have always wanted to work with Aldon, and when Ryan Villopoto left I jumped on the opportunity.

Click here to subscribe to MXA: https://hi-torque.com/motocrossaction