TOP SIX FINISHES FOR RED BULL KTM IN NEW JERSEY SUPERCROSS!

 

   

After a tough start in the main event during Round 16 of the Monster Energy Supercross Series at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, Red Bull KTM Factory riders Ken Roczen and Ryan Dungey recovered to claim top six finishes, in the process moving Dungey back into positon two in the point standings with just one round remaining.

As he had done at Seattle, Roczen was quick in practice, setting the fastest overall time of the two sessions in challenging wet conditions. Both riders started in the second qualifying heat, Dungey getting the better start as Roczen spun off the line, recovering midfield with a mountain of work ahead of him.

The reigning AMA 250 West Supercross champion though wasn’t deterred, working his way back to ninth by the close of the opening lap and fourth by the flag, whilst Dungey had managed to work his way into second before the finish.

The rain fell again prior to the start of the main event and both KTM Red Bull factory riders were forced down the order off the start line, Dungey held out by title rival Ryan Villopoto who went on untroubled to another round victory, in the process securing his fourth consecutive AMA Supercross crown.

Off the back of the top ten, both Dungey and Roczen had their work cut out for them, the pair battling each other and Justin Barcia all the way to the finish line, Roczen in the end getting the better of his team mate over the closing laps for fifth.

With one round remaining (Las Vegas, May 4), the ETS Racing fueled riders sit second (Dungey), fourth (Roczen) and sixth (Short) in the championship points, with Dungey keen to consolidate his runner-up position, whilst Roczen could move past both James Stewart and Dungey at Las Vegas if he can claim his third win of the year.

“I didn’t get a great start but I feel I rode a pretty good race considering I was coming from a fair way back after a terrible start,” said Roczen. “The leaders just got too big a lead for me to catch up with the track conditions. It was a pretty tough track and it got very rutted but I think I rode a solid race considering.”

“The track was technical and I fought it quite a bit tonight,” explained Dungey. “I didn’t ride anywhere near as good as I should have. I got a terrible start and was buried mid-pack early in the opening lap. Both Ken and I had to come from quite a ways back. I had moments where I started to get it together but mistakes here and there really cost me. I’m not happy with sixth place but unfortunately I have to take it.”

Next Round: May 4, 2014 - Las Vegas SX [season final]

Results 450SX class Seattle
1. Ryan Villopoto (USA), Kawasaki, 18:37.193 min (20 laps)
2. Eli Tomac (USA), Honda +9.757
3. Josh Hill (USA), Suzuki +12.203
4. Justin Barcia (USA), Honda +15.030
5. Ken Roczen (GER), KTM +16.394
6. Ryan Dungey (USA), KTM +27.254
8. Andrew Short (USA), KTM +58.197

Standings 450SX class after 16 of 17 rounds
1. Villopoto, 343 points
2. Dungey, 282
3. Stewart, 271
4. Roczen, 265
5. Barcia, 232
6. Short, 207
 

 

Position	Team	Rider	Bike Brand	Fuel used
5	KTM	Ken Roczen	KTM 450 SX-F	US MX 18 K2
6	KTM	Ryan Dungey	KTM 450 SX-F	US MX 18 K2
8	BTO	Andrew Short	KTM 450 SX-F	US MX 18 K2

Photos: © S. Corby - KTM
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