Ryan Dungey – 2016 AMA SX Champ
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Ryan Dungey clinched his third career 450SX Championship with a solid 4th place finish at the penultimate round in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In doing so, Dungey successfully defended his 2015 title to become a back-to-back 450SX champion in 2016.
Ryan Dungey
“Obviously 4th place isn’t the goal but the championship is and it’s nice to have a little cushion and wrap it up a round early,” Ryan Dungey said.
“The (31 consecutive) podium streak was cool and I was definitely going after Cole Seely there just to try to get on the podium but I gave it my best and did what I could but I wasn’t going to do anything stupid either.
“It’s been a fight, mentally battling week in and week out, with lots of riders challenging us all season. I feel like I was consistent across the board the whole season and 4th place – if that’s our worst finish all season up to Round 16 – I don’t think it’s bad.”
Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director
“We are just extremely happy to have another championship. This was a dream of ours for so many years and last year it happened for the first time but as we know it’s a difficult sport so to win a championship is one thing but to keep the level is another one.
“The team here in the U.S., and Ryan Dungey, they didn’t just keep the level; they put it on another level again! It was amazing to watch Ryan this year, how strong he was week in and week out, and we just want to thank the team and Ryan for what they did.”
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager, Roger De Coster
“I’m just super happy to be part of this and be able to help Ryan win this championship for KTM. I have to thank everyone in Austria that has helped us, including the WP side, Pit Beirer and Mr. Pierer especially, because he is the one who commits the budget and the money to allow us to do this and allow us to do what we love to do, which is race and win races. Without him this would be impossible.
“I feel very fortunate because I feel that our crew here in the U.S. is the best crew in the paddock. I’m certain we can do this again because I’m not happy with stopping here, we have to do it again and again and I think with the commitment of the crew in Austria and KTM we can do it again.”
