Red Bull KTM's new US signing Ryan Dungey may have been a last minute entry for the Monster Energy Cup in the Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas but achieving second overall in his first ever competition in Orange garb thrilled his manager Roger DeCoster and all of KTM's vast following.
After barely two weeks on his new KTM 450 SX-F, Dungey geared up for this inaugural Monster Energy Cup primarily to test how he stacked up against the competition. His success is a huge boost for the KTM US factory team as they start a major push into the competition
"I'm happy with my overall result today. Of course, you always want to win, but to come out here after only two weeks on the bike and get on the podium is very exciting," Dungey said.
"We have made great progress with the bike this weekend and we know how we need to move forward with our testing from here. I'm very happy with the team so far and am looking forward to the 2012 season."
The Monster Energy Cup offered three main event races of 10 laps, with each moto counted toward the overall score. When the gate dropped for moto one, Dungey had a bad jump and got pushed to the back as they rounded the first corner. He stormed through the pack to be back in the top ten in the second corner and went on to finish third. Teammate Marvin Musquin, riding the KTM 350 SX and making his debut US ride in SX after he was locked out with injury at the beginning of 2011, finished eighth.
Dungey got away well in moto two, was second behind Ryan Villopoto and carried that position through to the checkered flag. He then blasted his KTM 450 to another great start in the final race, was third at the start behind Villopoto and Mike Alessi. Meanwhile Musquin suffered a crash in the first corner with Justin Brayton that put him out of contention. Dungey settled down to close in on Alessi and finally fought his way past over a double but by then Villopoto had got away and he had to settle for second. Villipoto took the big cash purse but Dungey's 3-2-2 moto scores earned him 2nd overall in his debut race on the KTM.
Red Bull/KTM Factory Team Manager, Roger DeCoster, said, "I was not so excited about coming to this race at first since we have only had two weeks on the bike, but I am glad I was convinced to come. This race gave us a good indication about what we have done well and where we need to improve. We have our work cut out for us during the next few months but I think our goal is feasible. Come Anaheim, I believe we will be in the hunt."
Overall Results ‰ÛÒ
1, Ryan Villopoto
2, Ryan Dungey
3, Brett Metcalfe
4, Martin Davalos
5, Eli Tomac
