Ryan Dungey Returns to Professional Racing With Red Bull KTM

9-time AMA Supercross and Motocross champion is in for two outdoor rounds.

Nearly five years after retiring from professional supercross and motocross racing, Ryan Dungey will line up behind the gate once again. We had seen video clips of the nine-time AMA Supercross and Motocross champion testing the 2022 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition at Glen Helen Raceway, but figured he was just working with the team to help develop settings for the all-new bike. However, it has turned into more than that. Like Tony Cairoli, the Minnesota native will contest the opening two rounds of the 2022 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.

After retiring prior to the 2017 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, Ryan Dungey will return to racing in that very series this summer.KTM

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to race the first couple rounds of the outdoors for Red Bull KTM,” Dungey said. “I’ve had a lot of success with KTM in my most recent years of racing, and it’s exciting to go back and race for the same team with a lot of great personnel. I have a lot of trust with the team, which breeds confidence sitting on the line knowing I have good people behind me and we’ve got a great dirt bike underneath us. This is a stacked class and it’s been a long time since I’ve been on the line with them, but I’m excited to be back on the gate. I’ve got a lot of respect for the sport and the riders, so I don’t go into this underestimating anybody. I’m excited to just be out there racing with everybody and see what we can do.”

Dungey’s return to the starting line also reunites him with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team. The 32-year-old will pilot the all-new 450 SX-F Factory Edition alongside MXGP legend Tony Cairoli, multitime 250 champion Aaron Plessinger, and two-time 450SX champion Cooper Webb. There are rumors circulating that Webb will not race the outdoor series, but that has yet to be confirmed.KTM

Dungey’s debut aboard the 450 SX-F Factory Edition donning his trademark No. 5 will be at the Fox Raceway National 1 at Fox Raceway in Pala, California, on May 28, followed by the Hangtown Motocross Classic at Prairie City SVRA in Rancho Cordova, California, on June 4. As of now, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s premier class riders for this summer’s outdoor series includes Dungey, Cairoli, Aaron Plessinger, and Cooper Webb. There are rumors floating around that Webb will take the summer off, but that has yet to be confirmed.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Ryan joining us for the first two rounds of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship,” Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager Ian Harrison said. “He’s a world-class rider who has obviously achieved many great successes throughout his career and it’s great to see him having so much fun riding the bike. Ryan is a true competitor at heart, so we are happy to support his desire to line up on the gate this summer and we look forward to seeing what he can do.”