Ryan Dungey dominates the 450 class and claims his first overall win of the season - News Release
Lakewood, CO (June 25, 2011) - A huge crowd was on hand to witness and help celebrate as Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey scored his first overall victory of the season at the Thunder Valley National in Lakewood, CO, the fifth round of the 2011 AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Both Dungey and teammate Brett Metcalfe put their Yoshimura-equipped Suzuki RM-Z450s to the test in the grueling, high altitude conditions in Lakewood. Dungey rode two great races, claiming a second and first to come away with the overall win. Metcalfe once again had to work his way through the pack in both motos to grab a seventh-place overall finish for the day.
Dungey was strong from the get-go in Colorado. The Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider qualified with the second fastest time and had great starts in both motos. In moto one, Dungey was tight with the front group and in fourth place after lap one. By lap three, he was able to pull into third and put his head down to power his RM-Z after second. At lap nine, he made the pass for second, but by that time, the leader had built a pretty large gap and he had to settle for a second-place finish. In moto two, Dungey launched his RM-Z450 out of the gate and quickly into second. By lap three, he was able to pass for the lead and never looked back, claiming the second moto win and overall victory for the day. Dungey remains third in the championship points race but picked up a valuable seven points from the leader.
"It means a lot to get this win," said Dungey. "We're five rounds in and I wish it could have come earlier, but that's racing. I have to give it up for Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki; we've all been working our butts off. This win feels really good - I'd like to keep continuing it. My RM-Z450 was awesome. I want to thank the man above and my whole family - It feels good to get this one. I'm looking forward to Redbud. It's a great track and one of my favorites. I was able to pull off wins in both motos there last year. Hopefully we have a little momentum from this one and I can pull off a couple more."
Teammate Brett Metcalfe started the day with the fourth fastest time in qualifying. The Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider suffered a bad start and a tip over in the first moto but was able to use the power of his RM-Z to work from near the back of the field to card a ninth-place finish. In moto two, Metcalfe had a better start but got caught up in a turn two incident and again had to work his way up from near the back. The Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider rode solid and put in some great laps to cross the line in seventh, which was good enough to give him a seventh-place overall for the day. Metcalfe sits sixth in the championship points but just one point out of fifth and four points out of fourth.
"It was a pretty good weekend in Colorado," said Metcalfe. "Riding-wise, I was happy. I had a bad start and a small crash in the first moto. I was just really far back and Thunder Valley is a technical track. And with the altitude, the bikes are slower, so it's really difficult to make up time. Unfortunately, not a good result with a ninth, but from where I came from, my riding was good. The second moto I got a much better start, but I got caught up in a bit of a pileup in the second corner, so I ended up at the back again. I was pretty frustrated, but I rode good that second moto and my Rockstar Makita Suzuki was working great. My team made some adjustments that really helped me in the second moto. I'm looking forward to Redbud. Everyone likes Redbud - It's an awesome track and I feel really comfortable on the bike now and feel strong. I really need to get the starts there and give myself a chance to run up front."
The Rockstar Makita Suzuki team's next event is the sixth round of the 2011 AMA Pro Motocross Championship on Saturday, July 2nd, at the Rockstar Energy Drink Redbud National in Buchanan, MI.
Thunder Valley 450 Class Overall Results:
1. Ryan Dungey
2. Ryan Villopoto
3. Chad Reed
4. Kevin Windham
5. Andrew Short
6. Tommy Hahn
7. Brett Metcalfe
8. Christian Craig
9. Jake Canada
10. Justin Brayton
2011 Motocross 450 Class Standings:
1. Chad Reed - 223
2. Ryan Villopoto - 215
3. Ryan Dungey - 202
4. Kevin Windham - 148
5. David Millsaps - 145
6. Brett Metcalfe - 144
7. Ricky Dietrich - 109
8. Andrew Short - 102
9. Jake Weimer - 100
10. Christian Craig - 97
About Suzuki: Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) founded The Motorcycle and ATV Division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), Brea, CA, in 1963. ASMC markets motorcycles and ATVs via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. ASMC's parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation, based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of motorcycles, ATVs, scooters, automobiles and marine engines. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, it has 120 distributors in 191 countries. For more information, visit www.suzukicycles.com. Follow Suzuki Scoop on facebook for exclusive team content www.facebook.com/suzukiscoopfans.
About Rockstar: ROCKSTAR is the world's most powerful Energy Drink. Enhanced with the potent herbal blend of Guarana, Ginkgo, Ginseng, and Milk Thistle, ROCKSTAR is formulated to provide an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles - from athletes to rock stars. ROCKSTAR Energy Drink is available in sixteen amazing flavors. Also, check out ROCKSTAR Energy Gum and ROCKSTAR Energy Shots. ROCKSTAR Energy Drink supports the active Rockstar lifestyle in every sport. Go to www.rockstar69.com for athlete and event updates, videos, profiles, and product information.
About Makita: Makita is a worldwide manufacturer of industrial quality power tools and offers a wide range of industrial accessories. Makita applies leading-edge technology and innovation to engineer tools that are more compact with less weight yet deliver industrial strength power and results. Makita innovation includes Makita LXT(r), the industry's first 18V lithium-ion cordless lineup. The Makita Teal color is the trade dress of Makita Corporation and is protected under common law and registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Makita is Best in Class Engineering. For more information visit www.makitatools.com.
About Yoshimura R&D of America: Yoshimura is "The Leader in Performance" and has been for more than 55 years. With unmatched skills, knowledge and passion for racing, Yoshimura is on the forefront of the aftermarket exhaust industry. Yoshimura pipes are race bred and feature the same legendary performance, fit, and quality that have been their trademark for more than five decades. To learn more about Yoshimura and view their wide variety of performance products, visit www.yoshimura-rd.com.
Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki is grateful for the support of their sponsors: Rockstar Energy Drink, Makita Industrial Power Tools, Yoshimura R&D, Dunlop, Motorex, Vortex, Pro Taper, ONE Industries, Works Connection, Hinson Clutch Components, Renegade Fuels, Twin Air, Showa, Mechanix Wear, Fox, Matrix, Suzuki Equator, Maas Brothers, D.I.D., Excel, CP Pistons and NGK.
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