Dungey and Roczen Finish 2-3 at Hangtown Motocross Classic

KTM news from the Hangtown Motocross Classic

[Dungey mastering the 450 SX-F

Rancho Cordova, CA – Red Bull/KTM Factory riders Ryan Dungey and Ken Roczen opened their outdoor season with flair at the Hangtown Motocross Classic on Saturday. Dungey finished second in the 450 class and Roczen scored a podium third in the 250 class.

Dungey rode the KTM 450 SX-F, Roczen and teammate Marvin Musquin rode their KTM 250 SX-F machines. Musquin rode a solid two motos despite a fractured had that has surgery just two weeks ago
Dungey missed the start in the opening moto and was back at twelfth at the step-up jump to advance two places at the close of the first lap. He then settled down to pick off riders one by one until he was fourth at the half way mark He put a pass on Andrew Short to takeover the 4th place spot and soon began to reel in Brett Metcalfe. With four laps to go, he moved up to third and held the position right to the flag.

[Second for Dungey in season's opener

Ryan was much more efficient as the gate dropped for the second moto and was second at the first corner. He and James Stewart then pulled away from the group and began to battle it out for the premier place. He managed to stay with Stewart, narrowing the gap to less than a second but then encountered some back markers in the last three laps, which then put him out of contention for the win. His 3-2 results earned him 2nd overall for the day.

Ryan Dungey: “I really enjoyed racing here today. I had some good luck and some bad luck but I’m glad to be on the podium and finish safely. I feel like my fitness was there today and I just need to get up front and out of traffic earlier to get my KTM up front. I am looking forward to the next round at Freestone Raceway.

Roczen opens his season with podium thirdEarlier in the day Dungey’s factory teammate, the German teenager Ken Roczen opened his account for the season in the 250 class by snatching the holeshot in the first moto from Justin Barcia. The two swapped positions at the fourth corner and but Roczen kept Barca in his line of vision. Roczen grabbed the lead back in the next lap as Blake Baggett caught the leaders and joined the battle for the number one spot. Roczen held the lead but Baggett made his move in the last corners and Roczen had to settle for second.

[Top 10 finish for injured Musquin

Roczen: “I was bummed to lose the lead after holding off both Blake and Justin for so long during the moto, but I am happy to be on the podium in the first moto of my outdoor career.”
Roczen’s 250 Class teammate and French rider Marvin Musquin also put in a strong ride for fifth in the opening moto considering he was competing with a yet to heal fracture in his hand.
Musquin: “My hand gave me a little pain at the end of the race, but overall, I felt decent in the first moto and am glad to finish inside the top five.”
Musquin and Roczen both got away cleanly in the second 250 class moto with Musquin at third and Roczen in fourth. They swapped positions in the next lap and Roczen doggedly held on to that spot to the flag. His 2-3 finishes earned him 3rd overall for the day.

Roczen opens his account in 250 class

Musquin rode inside the top five for the first part of the moto but dropped below 15th after his hand began to bother him at the halfway point. He was able to recoup on the closing laps and advances to fourteenth to come away with a creditable ninth overall for the day, despite his injured hand.

 

 

 

Next Event: Wortham, TX – May 26, 2012

450 Motocross Class Overall Results
1, James Stewart – 1-1
2, Ryan Dungey, KTM – 3-2
3, Mike Alessi – 7-3
4, Andrew Short – 5-4
5, Brett Metcalfe – 4-5
6, Broc Tickle – 6-7
7, Davi Millsaps – 2-14
8, Jake Weimer – 10-6
9, Josh Grant – 9-8
10, Nico Izzi – 11-10

250 Motocross Class Overall Results
1, Blake Baggett – 1-1
2, Justin Barcia – 3-2
3, Ken Roczen, Germany, KTM – 2-3
4, Ivan Tedesco – 6-5
5, Eli Tomac – 4-10
6, Martin Davalos – 14-4
7, Kyle Cunningham – 9-8
8, Jason Anderson – 8-9
9, Marvin Musquin, France, KTM  – 5-14
10. Wil Hahn – 7-13