Unadilla Win Earns 2012 Outdoor Motocross Championship Title For KTM’s Ryan Dungey
The rain soaked Unadilla ruts were as gnarly as ever for KTM’s Ryan Dungey and the rest of the pro motocross racers. The track was busy taking victims one at a time, while helping to solidify the 2012 Outdoor Motocross Title for KTM’s stable champion Ryan Dungey. In moto 1, several leaders fell victim to the Unadilla’s nasty track conditions. Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer was looking fast, and took the lead until a rut grabbed his front tire and smacked him down hard. James Stewart made his return to racing, and found his way to the front, only to fall victim to multiple crashes. Moto 2 was no better for Stewart who crashed out. Michael Byrne proved blazing fast, and could have run away with a Unadilla win, but Byrne too, found the dirt face down after leading for several laps. Byrne suffered a broken leg in his fall. Even moto winner, Ryan Dungey fell after the start, by getting stuck in one of Unadilla’s ruts, but was quick to race back to the front and steal the lead away from Broc Tickle. 47 year old John Dowd proved his resilience by coming out to Unadilla and once again both qualifying and finishing within the top twenty.
Ryan Dungey was the big hero at the end of the day, pretty much locking in another season title in his incredible winning streak over the last few years. 2012 Unadilla was Dungey’s eighth overall win in a row this season. The only rider who could have possibly caught him in the points chase, Mike Alessi, inherited a DNF in moto 1 from a rock smashing his radiator. Dungey’s 2012 title will give Team Factory KTM a much deserved AMA Outdoor National Motocross Season Title, while moving Ryan Dungey into the third most all time winningest motocross racer ever. As expected it was all smiles in the KTM pits, especially on the face of team manager, Roger DeCoster. Dungey went 1-1 for the day and handed KTM a new championship title.
The Unadilla track was no less punishing for the lites riders. Newcomer Zach Bell pulled a beautiful holeshot in Moto 1, once again amazing the mx community in his 2nd ever pro debut. However, Bell’s front tire unfortunately washed out causing him to crash fairly early on. Team KTM continued it’s dominance, with both Roczen and Musquin top two during Moto 1. Ken Roczen’s win was the first ever outdoor lites win for the flying German KTM rider. Lites class ’red plate holder’, Blake Baggett, rounded out the podium, staying focused on protecting his valuable points lead. Moto 2 was all Team Geico Honda as Barcia and Tomac rode strong. Tomac proved to be fastest by passing Barcia for the win. Zach Bell rode well and showed continued flashes of speed, but fell victim to Unadilla’s track yet again, with another moto crash. Musquin rounded out the podium with a 3rd place, good enough for the overall win. Musquin’s overall win was his first ever and another milestone for Team KTM. The lites 2012 championship points remain tight as Blake Baggett leads the season heading into Steel City, for the next to last race. Overall, Unadiall was all KTM. Cheers Rocket 88.
2012 Unadilla 450 Overall Results
2012 Unadilla 250 Overall Results
