Dungey takes Unadilla title, Canard gains on Pourcel

COLUMBUS – Before a crowd estimated at 17,500, Suzuki rider Ryan Dungey overpowered an international field in the 450 Class and spoiled the return of James Stewart to take his eighth straight class win at the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championships, Saturday at Unadilla Valley Sports Center. In the 250 class, Honda’s Trey Canard made it four straight victorious rides.

Dungey sprung to first in the opening moto taking the holeshot and leading the entire 30-minute race. He extended his lead in every lap with Belgium’s Clement Desalle finishing second and Stewart taking third. Stewart, making his first run in the Lucas Oil Championships this season, held onto second place most of the race before losing his spot to Desalle.

Desalle also placed second in the follow-up moto to place second overall, while Australian, Brett Metcalfe rode to a fifth and a third respectively to wind up third. Stewart, after an auspicious return to the track in the opening moto, did not finish the second moto and was 11th overall.

"I got a good start in Moto one and put myself in position to lead laps and take the win," Dungey said, who is close to clinching the season points title. "I wasn't thinking of the overall. I just race to win every time out. Clement surprised me. It's not easy to come over (to the states) and do well. It was good for him, and good for us to have a competitive moto."

Dungey is now one win away from tying 10-time AMA champion, Ricky Carmichael, for the most wins ever by a rookie, and holds a commanding 111-point lead in his quest for the season points championship.

Canard has remained on a winning tear since claiming his first overall victory a month ago. Canard made a late-race pass of teammate Justin Barcia to win the first moto. Canard burst to the front in the second race until France’s Christophe Pourcel made the pass for the moto win. Despite settling for second, Canard’s 1-2 finish easily gave him the overall win.

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With the win, Canard closed to within 16 points of Pourcel’s 250 class lead. After a week off, the Lucas OIL AMA Pro Motocross Championship resumes on Saturday, Aug. 28 at Southwick, Mass.

* Editor’s note: Brandon Short, PR Manager of Next Level Sports Management, provided race information for this report.

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Results In Order of Finish

450 Class (Moto Finish)

Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki (1-1)

Clement Desalle, Belgium, Suzuki (2-2)

Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda (5-3)

Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda (4-5)

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Kyle Regal, Kemp, Texas, Honda (8-6)

Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda (7-9)

Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha (9-8)