Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey says he’s looking forward to being reunited with former team manager Roger DeCoster when the 2011 FIM Motocross of Nations takes place in France next month.
Dungey will partner Ryan Villopoto and Blake Baggett for Team USA in the iconic event, reuniting him with ex-Suzuki team manager DeCoster, who manages the U.S. team at the MXoN.
“I just found out last week that I was picked for the 2011 U.S. Motocross des Nations team,” Dungey said. “It’s quite an honour to be selected again and I plan do everything I can to help bring home that trophy again this year.
“My experiences at des Nations have been unbelievable and will always be cherished for life. I’m really looking forward to this year’s event and racing with my team mates Ryan and Blake, and working with Roger DeCoster.”
While speculation linking Dungey to DeCoster’s Red Bull KTM team for 2012 is yet to be confirmed, he admits his focus remains on retaining his number one plate under the guidance of new Suzuki team manager Mike Webb in the AMA outdoors.
“All in all, it’s been a good year,” he added. “The outdoor season has had its ups and downs, but we’re sitting here just seven points out of first place in the championship points with six races and a lot of laps left.
My Rockstar Makita Suzuki team has done a great job getting me comfortable on my RM-Z450 week after week. We started out strong and consistent, but it took a few races to grab our first overall. We were close in Texas, but a fuel issue at the end cost us the win.
“We were able to pull off our first overall a few weeks later in Colorado. That felt pretty good. And since then, we’ve been able to pull off two more overalls and have been real consistent in staying on at least the second step of the podium.
“My team and I have our heads down and are looking forward and keeping focused, as we want to bring home that number one plate.”
The final three rounds of the 2011 season will be contested over consecutive weekends, commencing this Saturday at Southwick.
Dungey has been listed in the official entry list as Team USA’s MX1 rider, set to sport the number one plate at Saint Jean d’Angely unless an 11th hour revision is made by the squad.