It’s Official: Dungey Done With Suzuki

Cycle News Staff | September 12, 2011

As expected, Suzuki announced that Ryan Dungey, the 2010 AMA Supercross and 450 Motocross Champion, will not be returning as a factory-backed Suzuki rider for the 2012 season. After closing out the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship last Saturday in second place, Suzuki announced via a press release today that Dungey “…will be leaving the team at the conclusion of the 2011 motocross season.” It did say, however, that the Suzuki team will fully support him in this weekend’s Motocross of Nations in France.Many expect Ryan Dungey will land a job at KTM after his departure from Suzuki.”Ryan Dungey has had great success in his years with the team, as Suzuki’s Championship DNA propelled him to score both 250 and 450 titles aboard the RM-Z,” said team manager Mike Webb in the release. “We wish Ryan much luck with his future endeavors.”As far as where Dungey will go, that is still up in the air, but it is known that he has been in negotiations with a number of teams, including KTM. Many believe that Dungey wants to be reunited with his former team manager Roger DeCoster at KTM, which has already inked MX2 World Champion Ken Roczen and former World champ Marvin Musquin for the 2012 AMA racing season. Andrew Short is negotiating a return to the team, as well.Suzuki says in its release that it will retain the services of 27-year-old Brett Metcalfe who just finished fourth overall in the 450 outdoor championship. He missed much of the 2011 Supecross series with an injury.”We’re extremely happy to have Brett Metcalfe as part of our team for 2012,” Webb said. “‘Metty’ has shown he has the stuff to win and is a great ambassador for the sport and a quality representative for American Suzuki.”