Dungey and Roczen Both Take Seconds in Colorado’s Thunder Valley Rd. 2 US MX
OutdoorHub 05.28.13
Red Bull KTM Factory riders Ryan Dungey and Ken Roczen picked up a pair of podium seconds in the 450 and 250 classes in Round 2 of the US PRO Motocross Championship at the Thunder Valley Motocross Park (Lakewood CO.) on Saturday. Their teammate Marvin Musquin was fourth in the 250s rounding off a good day for the KTM riders.
Dungey got off to a great start in the first moto and by lap two had moved up to second after eventual winner Ryan Villopoto tipped over in a turn in lap three. He then spent the next eight laps in a three-way battle with leader Justin Barcia and Villopoto before passing Barcia on the inside to take the lead in Lap 10. But Villopoto was on a charge and Dungey conceded the top spot in Lap 13. He then worked hard to put a 10-second margin between him and Barcia in third. The riders finished the race in that order with Dungey commenting: “I really like this track but it is definitely getting pretty rutted and challenging. I am glad I got a good start because that is key to my finish in these motos. It’s important to be there from the beginning and not let Villopoto get away.”
Dungey got a decent start in the second moto and was fifth at the end of the opening lap. He passed Mike Alessi in the next and two laps later was sitting third. His job then was to reel in Barcia in second and he had moved into second by lap six. Dungey did trim Villopoto’s lead but was unable to close the gap. His 2-2 finishes earned him second overall and he remains second in the points and with 88 is 12 behind the leader.
“The team and I are really happy with the progress we made this week. We know where we need to improve and we are looking forward to the next race. It’s great to be consistent but we need to start getting some race wins,” stated Dungey.
Roczen continues to lead points in the 250 class
German teenager Ken Roczen, fresh from his SX Championship title, continues to lead the points after the second round of the 250 class in the outdoor season after an admirable battle in Thunder Valley. His teammate Marvin Musquin also had a great showing with a fourth overall result.
Roczen leaped off to a great start in the first moto where he nearly took the holeshot. And three corners later he moved into the lead. He led every lap of the race and held off heavy pressure from Eli Tomac right to the flag to pick up his third individual race win this season. Meanwhile Musquin, started in sixth, improved his pace throughout the 30-minute plus two-lap race to cross the line in fourth.
It was Tomac and Roczen at 1-2 when the riders rounded the first corner of the second moto. Roczen held the position until the final lap when he made a mistake and rode off course while battling with Zach Osborne. He dropped to third to slip into a battle with Musquin and the pair of Red Bull KTM riders went on the finish 3-4 and overall for the day, 2-4.
“Eli (Tomac) rode a great second moto,” stated Roczen on the podium. “I have to give him credit for the second moto as I wasn’t able to get up there and battle. I am happy to still get 2nd overall and remain in the points lead heading to the next round.”
Next Event: Bristol, TN – June 1, 2013
