Dungey wins 3rd consecutive 450SX Supercross Title for KTM
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Ryan Dungey has taken KTM’s third consecutive AMA 450SX Supercross World Championship victory in Las Vegas, Nevada aboard his 450 SX-F Factory Edition after a thrilling showdown finale to the 17-round 2017 series.
Going into the closing race of the season with just a nine-point advantage Dungey, who takes his fourth 450SX title and fifth AMA Supercross championship win, fought throughout all sessions and battled to the chequered flag with title rival Eli Tomac in what was an incredible concluding main event of the championship.
Dungey was fourth at the line after a final lap tussle involving four riders, which saw the 27-year-old crowned the 2017 450SX champion, an outstanding achievement for the American racer. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Marvin Musquin was third overall in the series after a season where the Frenchman enjoyed his maiden 450SX victory of two, plus eight further podiums, which highlights KTM’s strength at the front of the field and in-keeping with its READY TO RACE mantra, while also securing the manufacturers' championship for the third year running.
In the last three seasons Dungey’s consistency and dominance aboard his KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition has amassed a total of 20 wins plus 25 podiums and the American-ace from Minnesota has not been out of the top four in any main event; an impressive feat at the very highest level of the sport. This latest achievement is testament to Dungey’s supreme talent and work ethic comprised with that of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team and the Research and Development department in both the USA and Mattighofen, Austria.
Ryan Dungey – 2017 AMA 450SX Supercross Champion
“I felt really good tonight – the bike felt good and I was able to hit my marks. The only struggle for me on the track, I feel, was maybe the whoops a little bit. Still, it was good and consistent. It was good hard racing [tonight], I think the fans got a show and it’s nice and rewarding to be able to get this championship. It’s probably one of the sweetest ones – it just was a very challenging season right down to the final lap. I had some tough competition, but it’s not over until it’s over and it’s a big team effort. We had no issues with the bike all season, and a lot goes into it from back at the KTM factory to the entire Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team. This has been the most rewarding championship win, and it takes a lot of things to go right to get here. I’m grateful to my wife, my family, my mechanic, the team and everybody who has supported this.”
Pit Beirer – KTM Motorsports Director
"Firstly I would like to say congratulations to Ryan, Roger (De Coster) and the entire Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team for this very special victory. To have achieved three 450SX titles in a row with the momentum we have had is something remarkable – we have worked very hard for this right the way through the company, from R&D to the race team, but for sure it is not easy. The Supercross championship is very prestigious, and we take a lot of pride in fighting for these wins, which is also important for the development of our production machines. I would also like to congratulate Marvin on his results this season and we will certainly enjoy this very special moment in the history of KTM." (source: ktm)