Ryan Dungey thrives on tough competition. Image: Simon Cudby.

Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey believes the more competition the better when it comes to the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, the former 450 Class champion thrives on the battle and focus needed to lay it down every weekend.

Beginning the season alongside one of the most feared and formidable opponents in James Stewart, Dungey had his work cut out for him, but as always pushed the pace and kept the battles alive.

With Ryan Villopoto and Chad Reed out for the season with injuries and Stewart’s unfortunate recent injury seeing him sidelined, Dungey has gone on a seemingly easy six-moto winning streak – But the Minnesota native admits it still isn’t all smooth sailing.

“When those guys step in, like having James come in, and not downplaying any other riders, but when a guy like James is there, and he has speed, and you know he’s going to be there every weekend, as well as Villopoto and Reed,” Dungey told RacerXOnline.

“Having that at the beginning of the season, for me, it was good. It keeps the fire going, it keeps you motivated, it makes it fun to come to the races. I’m not saying it’s not fun to come to the races right now, that’s not what I mean.”

Dungey says that it is harder to keep your focus when the heavy hitters like Villopoto, Reed and Stewart are out of action.

“The focus, you have to be there and put it out there every weekend, and I’d like to think I do that every weekend,” he added. “But when a guy is out, it’s actually harder, you have to keep your focus more, because you’re wanting to think it’s going to be easy. And it’s never easy.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but I want all those guys to be out there. Knowing that we’re beating the best. It’s a shame that some guys are missing, but that’s part of the game, and I still have to do my job and work hard and try to win races.

“I have to do my best, and if that means I win, I win. If it’s third or fourth, that’s what it is. For me, I like to focus on myself, and I really look forward to when we’re all on the track racing each other again.”

Dungey currently holds a commanding 54-point lead over Mike Alessi in the 450 Class standings, slated to take place on 7 July, Red Bud will mark the sixth stop on the tour.