Defending AMA Supercross Champion Ryan Dungey returned to the winner's circle in Canada.

Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey raced to his first victory of the 2011 AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, in Canada on Saturday night and he says he wants to make the most of his momentum when the series reaches Dallas this weekend.

The defending champion boosted himself back into title contention despite a broken chain ruling him out of the main event at Anaheim 2, and he now sits just eight points behind new series leader Chad Reed.

“We had a great day today,” said Dungey after the Toronto main event. “My Rockstar Makita Suzuki team did a great job setting my bike up for this track and I felt really comfortable all day. I knew going into the main that a holeshot was gonna be key.

“I got a good start and ended up second and was able to work my RM-Z into the lead in the first lap. From there, I tried to put down the laps as best as I could – I tried to focus on my own race and not behind me. It was cool to be able to come around and get this first win.

“I’m very thankful. I couldn’t have done it without the help and support of my whole Rockstar Makita Suzuki team and my family. I’m really looking forward to Dallas. I was able to get a win there last year and it’s a great stadium – it’s new and big.

“The fans there are great and it’s always a good race.”

Dungey’s teammate, South Australian Brett Metcalfe, sat out the weekend as he continues to regain fitness following a string of mid-season crashes.