Page 16 - MPG8DONE

RYAN DUNGEY
We are seeing a new Ryan Dungey in 2016. His first lap speed has dramatically improved, his
demeanor is noticeably different and his confidence is at an all time high. Despite all these traits that make him the champion he is today, there is one thing that has not changed, the respect Ryan shows for his competitors on the track. Last weekend in Arlington we saw a head to head battle between Ryan and RCH Racing Suzuki’s Ken Roczen. For twenty straight laps the two riders stayed within a second of each other and put on the most exciting race of the year. Something that caught my eye was the way Dungey was racing Roczen. We saw some aggressive pass attempts early in the race, but Dungey made sure to not make contact with Roczen even when he had ample opportunity to do so. Diving in and out of corners, switching from insides to outsides, Dungey had one or two chances to really force the issue on Kenny (especially in the bowl corners before the finish line). At one point in the race Roczen made a huge error, mistaking a yellow flag for a red cross flag and rolled the triple jump. Instead of jumping over Roczen’s head, and risking a crash, Ryan also checked up and rolled the triple. Would he have made the pass? It would have been close, but it would have been an extremely sketchy moment which Dungey always chooses to avoid. Some other riders that come to mind on the other hand, would have committed to the triple without question. Ultimately Roczen won the race and gained three points on Ryan Dungey’s points lead. A race he possibly could have won, but a performance that truly defines Dungey’s character. This type of riding is the reason why Ryan has 23 straight podiums and the number one plate on his Redbull KTM.
16 GRITMOTO • FEBRUARY.29.16
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