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Ryan Dungey kicked off his day looking strong and as good as ever by logging the fourth quickest time during the qualifying practices. He was a tad off of the quickest time set by Eli Tomac but we all know by now no matter what practice time Dungey has, he will always be right at the front of the
pack during the races. Dungey aboard his Factory Red Bull KTM rocketed up the steep uphill start stretch at Thunder Valley inching his way into third place as he exited the turn. He saw Roczen grab the early lead and immediately tried going after him but he had a problem by the name of Jason Anderson between him and the German. Dungey could not find away around Anderson quickly enough and by the time he did make the move three laps in, Roczen was long gone. Dungey stabilized the gap from increasing any further but couldn’t do anything to catch the leader and would finish a solid second place. Moto two started off similar for Dungey as he went around Josh Grant for third a few corners into the race. He then picked off Cole Seely for second halfway through the opening lap. He was moving with urgency because he did not see his rival Ken Roczen anywhere near the front and wanted to take the lead quickly and attempt to pull away before Roczen could get up there. That extra effort would cost Dungey and we would see him in unfamiliar territory... The ground. He crashed in and odd spot trying to pass early leader Trey Canard sending him to twentieth place. Luckily for him he still had the whole moto ahead of him to salvage points and he immediately began his charge. He moved all the way up into tenth just ten minutes into the race. He was on a serious charge but it slowed down a little bit as the top ten riders were more spread out. Dungey kept his head down and moved past the guys one by one. He caught Barcia for sixth, Grant for fifth, and then Canard for fourth in the latter half of the moto. With three laps to go he was able to see Cole Seely for third just ahead but Seely retaliated from
the pressure and made sure Dungey settled for fourth place. Dungey may be disappointed with the fourth but it could have been much
worse. He still managed 2-4 for second overall and is not too far behind Roczen in the standings.
words/SETHHARNISHFEGER WWW.GRITMOTO.COM
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