DUNGEY THIRD AT SEATTLE SUPERCROSS!

 

Red Bull KTM Factory riders Ryan Dungey and Ken Roczen had a mixed night during race 15 of the Monster Energy Supercross Series at Centurty Link Field in Seattle, both ran strongly in the heats but struggled in difficult conditions in the main.

Roczen again showed the pace that has made the 2013 AMA 250 West Supercross Champion one of the most respected rookies in recent years and a two-time 450 SX champion this year, to top qualifying with Dungey fourth.

Dungey started heat two strongly to be second early before forcing his way into the lead past Mike Alessi to claim the win. In heat two Roczen struggled to get away from the gate, and was forced to work his way through the pack to an eventual third placed finish and entry into the main alongside KTM’s Dungey and Andrew Short.

Dungey got a fantastic start in the main to shadow points leader Ryan Villopto to the holeshot line, but as the leader pushed to open a gap, Dungey became caught up finding the pace to match him, and fell back into the clutches of James Stewart. He managed to hold the Suzuki rider at bay for a number of laps before Stewart finally worked his way past.

Behind the leaders Roczen was mixing it with Short early, but a mistake in the rutted whoops prior to the finish line on lap five cost him several positions forcing the young German to work his way back through the field. He quickly found himself battling old-sparring partner Eli Tomac and Short for position, the two KTM riders finishing seventh and eight whilst ahead of them, Dungey claimed a relatively trouble-free third.

Overall the ETS Racing fueled KTM riders finished with their 16th podium of the year to go with their three main event wins. 2010 AMA SX Champion Ryan Dungey sits third in points, just three points behind James Stewart, whilst rookie Ken Roczen sits fourth, just 18 points back from his Red Bull KTM team-mate.

“I am not happy with the way I rode and I made quite a few mistakes tonight,” stated Dungey. “I need to go back to the drawing board this week with the team in California. Having a weekend away from racing should do me good and I want to come out at New Jersey feeling refreshed and ready to go.”

“I just didn’t ride very well,” said Roczen. “I am really lucky that I managed to save myself from crashing in those whoops. That could have ended up a lot worse. I just didn’t find my rhythm again after that. I battled with Shorty and Canard for quite a bit but I just didn’t have my A game on tonight.”

Next Round: April 26, 2014 - New Jersey SX

Results 450SX class Seattle
1. Ryan Villopoto (USA), Kawasaki, 18:34.142 min (20 laps)
2. James Stewart (USA), Suzuki +12.148
3. Ryan Dungey (USA), KTM +21.653
4. Eli Tomac (USA), Honda +26.672
5. Justin Barcia (USA), Honda +35.769
7. Ken Roczen (GER), KTM +48.783
8. Andrew Short (USA), KTM +50.300

Standings 450SX class after 15 of 17 rounds
1. Villopoto, 318 points
2. Stewart, 270
3. Dungey, 267
4. Roczen, 249
5. Barcia, 214
7. Short, 194

Position	Team	Rider	Bike Brand	Fuel used
3	KTM	Ryan Dungey	KTM 450 SX-F	US MX 18 K2
7	KTM	Ken Roczen	KTM 450 SX-F	US MX 18 K2
8	BTO	Andrew Short	KTM 450 SX-F	US MX 18 K2

http://www.ktm.com/us/news-events/news/all/details/dungey-3rd-at-seattle-supercross.html

Photos: © S. Corby - KTM
 

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