Ryan Dungey
Red Bull KTM
You’ve been in this position before as the defending champion. How is different competing as the defending champion versus just coming out and going for the championship?
Obviously, trying to defend the title. I think that going into last year, and the years previous, there was nothing really to lose, but this time, going in, you’re trying to defend the title. And, regardless, there really is nothing to lose, you know. What I’ve done up to this point they can’t take away, and I think it goes without saying that I’m here to win. That’s a given. We work hard regardless of whether we’re defending a title or starting a new season. I don’t work hard to get second and third. We’re out there to get the job done and take everything we’ve learned up to this point and apply it. It’s a new year. It’s a new season, a new start. The past is the past, and it’s time to live in the now and look forward to accomplishing what we can again. It’s one race at a time, a step-by-step process.
You had eight main event wins this year, but there are 12 guys up there with you right now who could win a main event. What is it going to take to win the championship this year?
Last year was obviously my best as far as wins go. Those years are hard to top. There are a lot of guys up here who can win a main event or give you fits; that’s just what it is these days. It is very competitive. I hope we all have a safe, healthy, successful season. When guys get hurt it’s a shame. It’s a bummer. I hope we have a good, solid season, but it starts with the preparation. We started, November 1, getting ready for this season, putting in the time and the effort. It has been really fun, and like for Jason [Anderson], Marvin [Musquin] and myself, we’ve got like a race situation out there [during practice and training], so that’s not going to be so new. Getting here healthy is the first thing. I hope we can match [last year] if not top it. it all starts Saturday night. It’s not going to be easy, but if we execute and do our job like we practiced, hopefully we can be up there and top the list.
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