Kit Palmer | February 14, 2016
Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey is having a banner year already. Coming into round six of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series in San Diego at Petco Park, February 13, Dungey had won three of the five races, and likely could’ve competed for the win in the other two if he had better starts.
In San Diego, he had a better start.
In front of 40, 528 fans, Dungey forced his teammate Marvin Musquin wide in turn one to take the lead early, and the Honda duo of Cole Seely and Trey Canard joined in behind him. Dungey took off, leaving the Honda pair to fight over second.
Seely won that battle, as Canard ended up coming under fire first from Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac. Canard held Tomac at bay until RCH Suzuki’s Ken Roczen—last week’s winner—caught them and passed them both.
The night ended with Dungey taking his fourth win of the season and extending his points lead beyond one full race’s worth of points, and Seely and Roczen rounded out the top three.
“I just tried to keep the pressure low the entire Main event, keeping good traction with the rear tire was key,” said Dungey. “I got a good start, which was huge in putting me in a position to win and I just tried to be consistent for all 20 laps. We had to overcome a few things today, but that’s racing. I’m happy to be back on top of the podium.”
“I’ve been in a funk these last two weekends,” said Seely, “but I’m thankful for the dedication of my team to stick behind me. I feel a lot better on my bike. I really didn’t make any mistakes, I just couldn’t quite keep the pace with Ryan [Dungey]. It feels great to get back up here [on the podium].”
“Tonight I have to be satisfied,” Roczen said. “I didn’t win, but I didn’t really feel comfortable on the bike today,” said Roczen. “We salvaged third. Ryan [Dungey] finished in front of us, but we’re leaving healthy with a good result.”
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Jason Anderson finished fourth with Canard ended up fifth and Tomac sixth.
By Steve Cox
450SX Class Results
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
- Cole Seely, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Honda
- Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
- Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna
- Trey Canard, Edmond, Okla., Honda
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki
- Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM
- Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha
- Weston Peick, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha
- Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., KTM
450SX Class Championship Standings
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 144
- Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki – 118
- Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna – 111
- Cole Seely, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Honda – 105
- Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha – 103
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki – 103
- Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM – 77
- Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., KTM – 72
- Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 71
- Jake Weimer, Wildomar, Calif., Suzuki – 62