KTM team-mates Ryan Dungey and Marvin Musquin put strong results together on Saturday to finish second and third overall in the battle for $1million at the Monster Energy Cup in Las Vegas.
But reigning AMA Supercross champ Dungey admits there’s “a lot of work to do” ahead of the 2017 championship.
Particularly the performance of main rival, Ken Roczen aboard the HRC CRF450R, will have given the KTM Factory team food for thought ahead of the Red Bull Straight Rhythm next weekend. The German came out the blocks in strong form on his first ride for Honda.
Dungey (pictured) said of the Monster Energy Cup: “Overall tonight was good. It’s been a while since we were on a gate drop with these riders. It was great to get some solid time on the bike and get back into a rhythm - it was a good prep race as we get ready for the season.
“We have a lot of work to do but the bike ran good all night and we’re going to continue to try new things. We’re looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”
It was only Dungey’s second race following an injury which saw him sit-out the AMA Motocross season this year (and which no doubt helped gave Roczen such a tremendous flow of form).
Dungey rode his KTM 450 SX-F to a consistent-as-ever three-two-three finishes.
Musquin, who finished only one point behind his teammate, said: “It’s a huge step for me, I’m happy with the way I rode today. My starts were not great, I was always getting pushed to the outside and I was losing a ton of time but I came back and fought so hard. It’s only 10 laps but they were long laps.
“It’s always tough to beat Ryan but right now I am feeling closer and closer and I’m glad to finish on a good note today.”
Dungey and Musquin will be joined by their new teammate Trey Canard in his first competitive ride for Red Bull KTM at the Red Bull Straight Rhythmn event next Saturday, October 22, in Pomona, California.