Born into a family of racers, from early on it was clear that Ryan Dungey was something special. Fast forward through two decades, and having already notched up first place wins at the Supercross Lites Championship and the 250 Motocross Championship in 2009, the 2010 racing season proved to be a particularly memorable one for the American rider. Ryan started the season by showing that he belonged with the big boys in supercross. By the time the North American series was finished, he was crowned 2010 Supercross Champion.
But Ryan didn’t stop there – demonstrating his abilities as inarguably the best all-around motocross racer in the world, that same year he blitzed the competition in the AMA Motocross Championship and took the title. He thus finished the season as a history-maker, coming away as the first rookie in history to win both the premier Supercross and National Motocross titles in his inaugural season. To cap off the year, Dungey led Team USA to victory in the prestigious Motocross of Nations event, held on American soil in 2010 in Colorado.
By 2012, Ryan had joined the KTM family, bringing the team its first ever win in the AMA Motocross series. He finished his Supercross season in third place, despite a collarbone break that required surgery. At the 2013 AMA SX season finale in Las Vegas, Ryan finished second place, bringing his overall season points to 337 and a third place overall finish.
In 2014, Dungey kept his momentum, taking overall second places at both the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship 450 and the 2014 AMA Monster Energy Supercross Series, not to mention first place at Red Bull Unadilla National. With yet another stellar start in 2015, Ryan has demonstrated that commitment, hard work and sacrifice really do pay off with another AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross championship now under his belt.
It was a massive weekend in Italy for HRC's Tim Gajser as the 22-year old Slovenian clinched the 2019 MXGP World Championship at Round 15 of the series. All eyes were on Gajser heading into the weekend, as he edged closer to a 3rd career World Championship after winning his ninth overall victory of the season at the previous race in Lommel. After winning the title as a rookie in the class back in 2016, Gajser faced two rough seasons filled with injuries and bad luck. In 2019 he returned with a vengeance, racking up victory after victory while taking his riding to a whole new level.
Gajser would not be given an easy task on the weekend from the track, as the race surface built inside the classic Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari speedway was extremely hard and bumpy. Regardless, he got things off to a good start on Saturday, with the fastest time in both Free & Qualifying Practice. The sun was beating down in Imola by the time the riders lined up for the Qualifying Race, and Gajser got off to a solid start through the right handed first corner. He took the green flag in 2nd position behind Romain Febvre and stalked the Frenchman for the opening laps waiting to make his move. After eating roost over the first half of the moto, Gajser finally made the pass for the lead just before the finish line on Lap 8. He settled into the lead after that and took a convincing win for first pick on the gate for Sunday's motos.
Tim headed to the line on Sunday knowing he could wrap the title after Moto 1 with only an 8th place finish if Jeremy Seewer took the win. After not getting the cleanest start, he fought his way through the pack on the opening lap and held 4th place at the green flag with Seewer just behind him in 5th. In classic Gajser fashion, he dropped the hammer and charged to the front with his focus fully on taking the moto win. He made quick work of Paul Jonass and Gautier Paulin and had moved into 2nd only 2 laps later. Race leader Glenn Coldenhoff was in his sights and he continued to charge before making a big mistake and going down on the following lap. The crash knocked him back to 8th but he got going again with full focus on the title. In a much more controlled manner he moved up as far as 5th, which was plenty enough to take the championship with Seewer in second.
It was a hero's welcome for Gajser as he came off the track, with the entire HRC crew making their way onto the circuit to greet him. Champagne sprayed and red smoke filled the air as Tim and his team celebrated the ultimate achievement in the MXGP world. Gajser was overcome with emotion as he soaked in the moment and relished in the third World Championship of his young career.
With all the pressure off after clinching the championship, there was still work to be done and Tim headed to the line for MXGP Moto 2. Another mediocre start had him sitting 4th at the green flag, and he let the race come to him this time as he cruised to 2nd place. He went 5-2 for 3rd Overall on the day, but the only moment he'll remember from the day is raising the #1 plate on the podium.
Gajser's second career premier class title comes with three rounds of the championship remaining. His domination during the middle part of the season that included a streak of 7 overall victories put him in the perfect position to wrap the title up early. The series rolls on next week at Uddevalla in Sweden. #BravoTim
Fox team riders took the top two spots after some wild racing on the ultra-dry Vallnord World Cup track. The competition was incredibly close with the top three riders separated by only 1.2 seconds. In the end, Loic Bruni threw down an incredible run to beat his French compatriot, Loris Vergier, by just four-tenths of a second! Fox rider Laurie Greenland made some small mistakes but still had the speed to finish eighth – his second top 10 of the season! No rest for the crew as they head to the Legendary slopes Les Gets, France next weekend. Congratulations to Loic, Loris and the rest of the Fox MTB team. No rest for the crew as they head to the Legendary slopes of Les Gets, France next weekend
Vallnord Race Results
Men’s Results:
- 1st – Loic Bruni (4:11.055)
- 2nd – Loris Vergier (+0.423)
- 3rd – Troy Brosnan (+1.202)
- 4th – Amaury Pierron (+2.948)
- 5th – Danny Hart (+5.595)
- 6th – Brook MacDonald (+6.866)
- 7th – David Trummer (+6.979)
- 8th – Remi Thirion (+7.989)
- 9th – Laurie Greenland (+8.383)
- 10th – Jack Moir (+9.260)
Women’s Results:
- 1st – Rachel Atherton (5:00.622)
- 2nd – Marine Cabirou (+2.497)
- 3th – Tracey Hannah (+7.131)
- 4th – Emilie Siegenthaler (+12.859)
- 5th – Eleonora Farina (+15.098)
- 6th – Kate Weatherly (+18.497)
- 7th – Veronika Widmann (+18.538)
- 8th – Mariana Salazar (+20.011)
- 9th – Nina Hoffmann (+20.646)
- 10th – Sandra Rubesam +26.707
For raceday UCI Downhill coverage, follow Fox Racing on Instagram @foxmtb
FOX RACING® NETHERLANDS - OFFICIAL WEBSITE
For over 4 decades now, Fox Racing® remains the global leader in Motocross gear, Mountain Bike clothing and Moto-inspired lifestyle clothing for men, women and youth. Fox is the apparel choice of action sports athletes with products that combine innovation and style, rooted in the brand’s original competitive motocross spirit. We are constantly pushing into the future, never settling for anything less than greatness because our goal is to elevate performance and forge unforgettable experiences. Fox collection is designed with the express purpose of helping you do what you love. Whether you spend your days riding your mountain bike or racing motocross, get out there and chase the feeling. We are made for inspirations and for possibilities, for fast starts and long journeys, for challengers and for champions. Fox is made for you.
