Photographer: Cudby S.
Red Bull KTM Factory rider Ryan Dungey claimed a podium third in the eleventh round of the Monster Energy Supercross Series to maintain second place in the overall point standings. Factory teammate Ken Roczen finished one lap down after getting a rock jammed in his rear brake at the start of the main event.
Dungey is currently second in the points standing and Roczen is fourth, just one point shy of third place.
Both Dungey and his German teammate Roczen were among the top riders in the early practice sessions. Roczen turned the second fastest time while Dungey was fourth and both riders advanced to the opening heat race. Dungey was fourth out of the start gate and maintained his pace and position to the flag to secure his qualification in the main event. Roczen had a mid-pack start and worked his way up to fifth place, just one spot shy of making the main.
Roczen returned to the gate for the semi race where he was fourth at the start and He began to make time on the top riders but dropped down the order after a small mistake. He finally finished to qualify into the main event.
After the gates dropped in the main, Dungey and Roczen were five and eight going into the first corner. But while Dungey was busy moving up toward the top three riders, Roczen made a mistake, stalled his bike and at the same time got a rock jammed in his rear brake. Roczen was able to get going again but continued to deal with brake issues throughout the remainder of the race.
Meanwhile, Dungey was making passes up front and had advanced past Dean Wilson into fourth on the first few laps. He finally moved into podium position in the ninth lap of the race when he went by Cole Seely. Dungey sat out the remainder of the race in third while Roczen, finished the race in twentieth after starting a lap down as a result of his brake issues.
KTM rider Andrew Short picked up fourth place in Detroit.
“The track was really slick tonight and hard to make passes,” stated Dungey. “I am happy I was able to move around a few guys and get on the podium. I hope to return to the top step of the box next week.”
Roczen said: “Unfortunately, I just had some bad luck with a rock getting stuck in my brakes and it ruined my night. I was able to return to racing but was a lap down and could not gain enough time on the other riders. I am just hoping for better luck next week.”
Both Dungey and Roczen compete on the KTM 450 SX-F
Next Event: Toronto, Canada – March 22, 2014
US SX Rd. 11, Detroit
Overall Results of Rd. 11
1, James Stewart
2, Ryan Villopoto
3, Ryan Dungey – KTM
4, Andrew Short – KTM
5, Justin Barcia
Other KTM
11, Matt Goerke – KTM
20, Ken Roczen – KTM
Overall Point Standings after Rd. 11
1, Ryan Villopoto, 231
2, Ryan Dungey, 201
3, James Stewart, 182
4, Roczen, 181
5, Brayton 167
6, Short, 143
