the Great Ryan Dungey Retires
This past week, the Motocross and Supercross world heard the sad news of one the greats hanging up his goggles and helmet. Ryan Dungey, has been the epitome of what it meant to be a professional rider over the past decade.
At 27 years old, Ryan has won 80 races and has won 12 championships but now he is ready to contribute to the sport in other ways.
Ryan was born into a racing family, where he and his brothers raced just for fun. But from an early age, there was something different about him. At the ripe age of 16, Ryan was signed to his first professional contract, a contract that many believe he was too young to have received.
It didn’t take Ryan long to prove people wrong and just 3 years after turning pro, he won the Lites Supercross Championship and the 250 Motocross Championship.
The next year Ryan stepped up from the 250 class to the 450 with his Suzuki RM-Z, and continued his dominance by winning the Supercross Championship and Motocross Championship in his rookie season at the age of 20... A big deal for his age.
Ryan always traveled the circuit to make time for the fans. RideNow Powersports Peoria even had him out with the Suzuki Rockstar/Makita team for an autograph signing party and he stayed until every fan had a chance to see him, get an autograph and take a picture.
His dominance continued when he reunited with his first professional manager, Roger DeCoster and the RedBull/KTM team in 2012.
To sign with KTM, made little sense considering that KTM has never won a major title in Supercross but Ryan knew this team could do something special together and he was right.
They went on to win championships in 2012, 2015,2016, and 2017 on the KTM 450 SX-F factory edition. He took KTM from zero to hero practically overnight.
What he has done for the sport is nothing short of amazing. In the world of instant media, he has helped put the sport on the map and has inspired many current and future racers.
Hell, in 2015 and 2016, he even won the ESPY for Best Male Action Sports Athlete. But he much more than a racer, he is genuinely good dude. In 2015, he partnered with St. Jude’s and created the St. Jude’s Ride & 5k Run.
Ryan’s retirement was based not on his physical ability because let’s face it, he still has it. Instead, he said it was based on his ability to be mentally prepared for each race and how over the years, it became harder and harder. Until, the day came when he felt that he could no longer give it 100 percent.
Though, this is a sad day for the sport, Ryan isn’t walking away completely. After what his manger referred to a vacation and time “to practice making babies”, Ryan has plans to work closely with KTM in finding the next great.
So, here’s to Ryan Dungey, one of the greatest. Enjoy your vacation time but hurry up because we can’t wait for you to find the next you.
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