Ryan Dungey is coming off a two-championship series with the AMA West Coast Lites Supercross and AMA 250 Motocross number one plates now in his possession. He's running #1 on his Suzuki 450 in the MX1 (450cc) class.
Pete Peterson: Congratulations on getting picked for the team. How long has this been something you've wanted to do?
Ryan Dungey: Getting picked for Team USA in an honor and something's I've really wanted to do since I was 10, 11 - when I found out about it. It's been a dream come true. I'm riding the 450 over there. I'm really looking forward to the whole experience of getting there, to racing, to working together as a team. I think we've got great people with Jake, Ivan and Roger, to Mitch, just the whole crew.
PP: Tell me how it came about that you're on the 450.
RD: It's been a crazy season in the 450 class I guess. There's been a lot of... 'I think at one time this guy was going, then that guy had a little injury, then that guy was gonna go but he got hurt...' It's just kinda been ups and downs for the guys in the 450 class. They just kinda mentioned it, 'would you be okay riding the 450?' And I've had some time on it, I've had a little bit of success in supercross on it. I like the bike and I said yes, and I think I can get the job done.
PP: Jake says you two are on good terms. Do you agree with that?
RD: I've always respected Jake and I think we've always raced each other clean. In supercross we had a good fight and even outdoors, too, we both got some wins. Jake's a good dude, definitely really fast, and I respect him for sure.
PP: Have you ever raced against Ivan?
RD: The only time I've raced against Ivan was at the US Open in '08.
RD: No. Ivan and I go back a good little bit now from when we started on Team Suzuki, my first year on Suzuki he was there. And currently we both ride in Florida together, so we're kinda riding partners. No, no run ins with Ivan. I respect him also. He's got a good work ethic and he's determined.
PP: What's the plan between now and the race to get you guys working as a team?
RD: We got together here as a team from all the manufacturers to all the mechanics. I think getting everyone together here, and riding with each other, and getting on the same page, talking to each other. That way when we get over there it's not really new. We've already been together, and once we get together [over there] we're going to work together.
PP: Have you been to any MXoN events?
RD: When they came here to the USA at Budds Creek, that's the only time, but that was an experience, seeing the fans, it was amazing. I don't think there was one open spot in the whole field. It was pretty amazing and to see them when they won it kinda gave you the chills a little bit. So I'm definitely honored and really looking forward to it.
Shepherding the racers with years of experience as the Team USA Manager, as well as being a member of six winning Motocross des Nations team victories as a rider, is "The Man" Roger DeCoster.
Pete Peterson: You're going over there with a couple of rookies this year. How does that effect what you do between now and then?
Roger DeCoster: I think these guys are going to be fine. The 250 class was really competitive this year and Weimer won races both in Supercross and in Outdoors, Ryan won races and he won the championships, and I think getting together today is helping them feeling like a team. You know, they race against each other the whole year, and I think it was good to bring them together today. And it's not going to be easy, but I think we have a good chance to win.
PP: Was it tough making the decision which rider would be on which bike?
RD: Yes and no. With Mitch (Payton, of Pro Circuit) you always know he's going to be 100% on the lites bike, he has so much experience with it and he's done it so many years that it's always a safe bet. And then with the other two bikes, they're both 450s. I think Ryan by winning two championships this year, the indoors and the outdoors, earned the number one spot. And Tedesco, he's been there a couple times before and he didn't have the greatest season but he finished pretty good and I think he knows what is expected of him and he gets along good with the young guys and I think we're going to be fine.
PP: Is the track going to be pretty different from what they've been seeing during the Outdoor season?
RD: Yeah, but I think it's going to work to their advantage because it's a man-made track, it's not a natural track like usual in Italy. They built in inside a road race facility to have the infrastructure. It's going to be somewhat like a big supercross, which should be perfect for the Americans.