Motocross

The Story of Ryan Dungey's Championship Night

Read a tale of the Red Bull KTM rider's night in Jersey that crowned him the 2016 Supercross champ.
By Eric Shirk
4 min readPublished on
Everyone's clamoring for some Dungey

Everyone's clamoring for some Dungey

© Garth Milan/Red Bull Content Pool

What makes a champion? Is it an extraordinary ability to find possible what others have deemed the opposite? Or is it their unbelievable perseverance during the quest to the top step of the podium? Bob Hannah, Jeff Stanton, Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael and Ryan Villopoto; these names embody not only the greatest ever in Supercross history, but also the only five riders to ever accomplish back-to-back Supercross championships — until now. This is the story of Ryan Dungey's push into the record books as a back-to-back Supercross champion.
It's not a one man job

It's not a one man job

© Garth Milan/Red Bull Content Pool

On the morning of Saturday, April 30, at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, fans lined the Red Bull KTM rig from front to back in an attempt to get a look at the red number one plate and the rider who dons it: Ryan Dungey. As the faint sound of “Is the champ here?” and “Where’s Ryan?” crept around outside the rig, on the inside Dungey quietly prepared for what would be his pinnacle race this season: championship day. With a 14th or better, he would be crowned the 2016 Supercross Champion, and join the five greatest supercross racers of all time on the list of back-to-back champions.
Dungey in qualifying at MetLife

Dungey in qualifying at MetLife

© Garth Milan/Red Bull Content Pool

Throughout qualifying, Dungey, along with his mechanic Carlos Rivera, team manager Roger DeCoster and trainer Aldon Baker discussed bike setup, rhythm choices and usual focus points during any average race day. With the hanging pressure of a championship at close grasp, all focus at team KTM remained on the task at hand: tonight’s racing. Week in and week out, this group of individuals has dedicated everything with one vision in mind: a championship. When the checkers flew on the day’s qualifying sessions, Dungey and Red Bull KTM had a top five spot for the night’s events.
A championship weighs on you. You want to win and you want to wrap it up but I knew I had to focus on right here, right now, every week. It’s good to be able to have it wrapped up.
Ryan Dungey
Eyes on the prize

Eyes on the prize

© Garth Milan/Red Bull Content Pool

As the sun began to fall and the night show erupted in fireworks, flames and epic soundtracks, Dungey made his way to the tunnel for opening ceremonies. The festivities continued, and the top 10 in the 450 class points were introduced to the roaring crowd. It was a reminder of the incredible talent in the class in 2016. Furthermore, it was a reminder of Dungey’s incredible consistency, having notched 31 straight podiums against the world’s greatest Supercross riders. As Ryan sat silently waiting to enter the stadium behind the separating doors, “Ryan Dungey” erupted from the microphone. The fans' cheers overwhelmed the sound of fireworks and explosions; Dungey’s potential championship night had begun.
Taking the title under the New Jersey sky

Taking the title under the New Jersey sky

© Garth Milan/Red Bull Content Pool

During heat number two, Dungey found his way to the front and led every lap to the win. With confidence in his face and nerves non-existent to onlookers, his focus was set on “improving the whoops” before the main event. However, the main event would bring other difficulties. As the gate dropped, Dungey would find himself in the fifth place position around the first turn, with his closest rival Ken Roczen out to the early lead. Dungey made his way into third, but was passed by the charging Kawasaki of Eli Tomac. With the championship in mind, Dungey settled into fourth place and crossed the finish line a champion.
Say cheese. And champion.

Say cheese. And champion.

© Garth Milan/Red Bull Content Pool

As photographers, family, team members and fans began to surround Dungey, emotion rang through the air. His mother Michelle confessed her pre-race nervousness, while his father Troy fought back tears as he once again robed himself in a number 1 Dungey jersey.
Dungey and wife Lindsey kick off the celebrations

Dungey and wife Lindsey kick off the celebrations

© Garth Milan/Red Bull Content Pool

Dungey represents a product of hard work. Nothing more, nothing less. In his own words, “We work hard to be here, and we want to make the most of it”. After eight wins on the season thus far, 30 career wins in total, back-to-back titles, totaling up to three career 450 Supercross titles and the longest podium streak in the sport’s history (31), Dungey has definitely made the most of it, and the sport will not forget.