Cycle News Staff | January 31, 2016
Ryan Dungey claimed his third straight victory of the 2016 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series in what was perhaps his most impressive win yet. The Red Bull KTM Team rider nabbed the holeshot and never looked back. If he had, he would’ve seen Ken Roczen on the RCH/Soaring Eagle/Jimmy John’s Suzuki right behind him, at least for a while. As the race progressed, Dungey slowly inched away from Roczen, who many though would be Dungey’s toughest competitor going into the series. But Dungey had Roczen’s number and pulled out to a five-second lead before checking up a bit on the last lap to take the win with three seconds to spare.
Ryan Dungey now enjoys a 22-point lead in the championship. Photography by Steve Cox
Third on the night went to Dungey’s teammate Marvin Musquin, who had his best night since moving up to the 450 class this year. Musquin got away in second place and did Dungey a favor by keeping Roczen behind him for the first few laps before giving way to the Suzuki rider. Musquin held his own for the rest of the race, taking the checkered flag nine seconds behind Roczen and five seconds ahead of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jason Anderson, who had earlier fought his way past Monster Energy/360fly/Chaparral Yamaha’s Chad Reed.
Reed, fifth on the night, battled his way around sixth-place finisher Cole Seely on the HRC Honda.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac, who had won his Heat race earlier in the night, has hampered by a midpack start and ended up seventh, finishing ahead of Monster Energy/Team Tedder Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer, BTOSports.com/KTM’s Justin Brayton and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Wil Hahn.
Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart, who was making his return after suffering a concussion at Anaheim 1, was running up front before losing positions. He eventually pulled off the track (on the eighth lap) and rode back to the pits.
Earlier in the evening, HRC Honda’s Trey Canard withdrew from the race, as well. He was struggling with the hand that he injured the week before at Anaheim 2. The hand swelled up and he was having trouble hanging on to the handlebars.
Blake Baggett, on the Yoshimura Suzuki, made his 2016 debut and finished 15th. He was returning from injury.
“It feels great to get another win,” said Dungey. “Being out front early allows me to ride my own race and stay focused. [You can] ride your own laps, hit your mark, just like home [practicing]. Getting the start is key. It was a good win.”
Just four rounds into the 2016 championship and Dungey already enjoys a 22-point lead over Anderson and Reed, who are tied for second place. Roczen is fourth, just two points behind Anderson and Reed. Seely is holding down fifth, two points behind Reed.
450SX Class Results
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
- Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
- Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM
- Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna
- Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha
- Cole Seely, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Honda
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, CO., Kawasaki
- Jacob Weimer, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki
- Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., KTM
- Wil Hahn, Menifee, Calif. Kawasaki
450SX Class Championship Standings
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 97
- Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna – 75
- Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha – 75
- Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki – 73
- Cole Seely, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Honda – 70
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, CO., Kawasaki – 68
- Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM – 51
- Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., KTM – 47
- Jake Weimer, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki – 46
- Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 45