2011 Monster Energy Cup
It doesn’t take much for Ryan Dungey to gain confidence aboard a new motorcycle. And due to this, the 2010 AMA Motocross/Supercross Champion will have a chance at a million-dollar purse while wearing orange.
Yes, after minimal practice, Ryan Dungey will make his debut aboard the factory Red Bull KTM at this weekend’s inaugural Monster Energy Cup at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.
The official announcement was made October 1 that Dungey would compete with former manager Roger DeCoster on the KTM SX-F 450, but many thought his debut on the SX-F 450 would be in January at Angel Stadium for the opening of the 2012 MX season.
But this all changed Thursday when it was announced that Dungey would be on the KTM at this Saturday’s Monster Energy Cup. This was also possible due to Dungey’s contract with the Rockstar Makita Suzuki up after the Motocross des Nations, which Dungey and the Americans once-again dominated.
Ryan Dungey (KTM SX-F 450 Motocross) says: "After testing the new KTM over the past two weeks, I am feeling confident enough to compete and am really eager to see where I stack up against the competition. It’s a last minute decision to race this event but the team is behind me 100-percent and I am excited to make my debut on the bike."
One of the biggest reason Dungey joined KTM after five years with Suzuki was due to his former manager being there; the 21-year-old Dungey was brought into the professional AMA Motocross/Supercross ranks in 2007 by DeCoster.
Roger DeCoster (Rd Bull/KTM Factory Team Manager) says: "To my surprise, Ryan was eager to race the Monster Cup. We didn’t expect him to race after only two weeks on the bike, but he will use the event to help gauge where he stands speed-wise against the competition.
"It will also give the team a racing opportunity to test different set-ups with the bike prior to the opening round of the Supercross. Ryan can then take this experience to prepare his training regime this winter."
Dungey has won every major AMA Supercross/Motocross championship and became the first rider to win the coveted Supercross class and 450cc Motocross class championship as a rookie in 2010.
In the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross championship, Dungey earned one win and 12 podium finishes en route to third place overall. He has a career seven Supercross class wins and 17 podium finishes.
Ryan Dungey says: "I’m looking forward to riding for the new Red Bull/KTM team and working again with Roger. I am excited to start something new and am ready for the challenge. I like the way that KTM has backed Roger since he made the switch last year and I appreciate KTM’s goal of working hard to develop their race team to earn championships. I am making this switch to win races and work toward getting that championship for KTM."
The unique hybrid track will consist of supercross/motocross terrain and will have a tremendous motocross-style influence, making it unlike any other stadium race in the world. This track will be the perfect blend of supercross and motocross combined and created into the ultimate battleground. The Monster Energy Cup posts a $250,000 purse with the winner walking away with a $100,000 check, and for the "first time ever" $1 Million will be paid to a rider that wins all three main events.
