In an expected mover rumors have the Mike Alessi to KTM is all but a done deal. Mike will skip Supercross and ride a few over seas races including two Supercross races in England and a few GP's. Mike will also throw a leg over a all new 350 with linkage and is rumored to be a contender right away. The word is that he is not riding it during Supercross because of homologation rules, but we all know why he isn't.

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After 12 exciting rounds of racing Ryan Dungey clinches the 250 Motocross Championship title. Ryan spent the last half of the series in second place just points away from the leader but it was Round 11 when he gained a big points lead over his competition and Ryan was again back on top and in line to grab the title; and that’s just what he did. I spoke to Ryan just moments after he clinched the title at Steel City Raceway; here’s what he had to say ~




Angela: Ryan, the final results came down to Steel City and now you are the 2009 MX 250 Champion, how do you feel?

Ryan: It feels great! Anyone watching this class would know that with the battles between us, him leading then me, they know it’s been a long season. Now after all that and to be the Champ, all the hard work and the sweat, the hard times, everything, it was all worth it. I am really thankful how today went down; it’s amazing and definitely a step forward in the right direction.



A: This great moment adds to a great year all together; you brought home the Supercross Lites Championship title and now the 250 Motocross title, these are some great accomplishments Ryan!

R: Well, coming into this year I had no championships and I had a little bit of success but I came up a little short in some areas and I tried to take what I learned over the years and make it work for me. It took some time, I had some good falls and wondered why this and that but at the end of the day I knew why I was doing it and to be able to win the Championship in Supercross was amazing and now to top it off going out of the 250 Class, this is my last year in this class, and to take both Supercross and Motocross makes this a wonderful year. To be able to come into this year with none and now to have two and now I am walking out of here healthy so I’m really thankful for all the people who helped me make this happen.



A: Ryan this Motocross Championship title didn’t come easy; you started off leading the series but for a good part of it you were in second place, then you came back to win, how does it feel to have clinched the title in those last few Motos?

R: Amazing for sure, yeah, I was in the top at the beginning and then slid back a little bit, had some tough races and I was trying to figure some stuff out. You know Pourcel is a great rider and he didn’t make it easy at all. I had my work cut out for me all year and through everything I just never quit or gave up; I knew I just did it from my heart and I enjoyed every bit of it regardless of where I was. So I put in my time, did what I had to do and showed up on the race weekend and whatever came about I just had to make the best of every situation and that’s what we did.



A: The Motocross Nationals is four months dedication to 12 Rounds of racing in all types of conditions with an extensive group of competitors; Ryan, overall how was your motocross experience this summer?

R: There were some points where you get down when things just are not going your way. I think everybody goes through it but I was never going to let that stop me. I knew it was going to be hard to beat Pourcel; he’s a world champion overseas so I knew it wasn’t going to be easy and I was going to have to be there every weekend. There really was no room for error and with last weekend with that points lead and to be able to come into this weekend and hold on to it and take it made it interesting. It was a lot of fun, it was long, and there were a lot of times where I was ready to get this job done. This week was really tough, really this was the toughest week of the whole thing but I just put “it” in “his” hands and let him guide me in the right direction.



A: The race just ended and you are now officially wearing that number 1 on your chest here, earning that Championship titles takes a lot of great individuals to help you along the way, who are they and what do you want to say to them?

R: First off, I’d like to thanks everyone on my team at Rockstar Makita Suzuki. It takes a good fast bike and things have to come all together. There can’t be any DNF’s or race failures. Those guys work their butts off to get that bike ready every weekend from suspension to tires, so they do an amazing job. I’d like to thank the man above for keeping me safe and healthy every weekend. Also my family; years past I’ve really learned that having my family there helps to drive me forward. There’s also that time I spent in Florida with Ricky Carmichael; that meant a lot and Tony Gardea my agent; thanks to everyone. It’s defiantly been an experience to be able to come out here, you can say as a wild card in the beginning, and I never quit pushing and I am not going to. I am just really thankful for everything and everybody and I couldn’t have done it without all of their support.



A: Ryan, what’s next for you?

R: Motocross of Nations is next. I will be on the 450 leading the team and I am really looking forward to that. I’ve never been over there so it will be a new experience. I am going to carry the momentum over from here, we are going to be working as a team now over in Italy and going to try and take the win home for the USA.



Congratulations Ryan Dungey on your 250 Motocross Nationals title!

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The last race of the season, Steel City Raceway, Tommy Hahn got his first win and gets his first overall race win. Tommy did have some great results this Motocross season with a handful of podiums and top ten results, so it was just a matter of time before Hahn was holding that first place trophy.



Angela: Tommy, Steel City wasn’t a race you were too excited about but that changed, right?

Tommy: I can’t believe on the track that I dislike so much that I won on it. It turned out to be a good day, I got a good start in both Moto’s and I rode smart. It’s defiantly a track you can override very easily and I just concentrated on making it through all my turns really smooth because that’s where the races were going to be won or lost, in those turns.


A: How does it feel to have that overall here at Steel City?

T: It still hasn’t hit me yet and I don’t think it’s going to hit me for awhile but wow it feels good. I was able to dedicate my win to Teresa Tedesco’s Dad who passed away a couple of weeks ago from a heart attack. The Tedesco’s mean a lot to me, they are very close friends of mine so, to be able to dedicate my win to their family is a good feeling. I love Ivan and Teresa, they are good people so it was kind of emotional at the same time.



A: This sounds like a very special win Tommy?

T: It was very special to me and I felt privileged to go up there and dedicate it to such a good man.



A: Well, it’s a great way to end your season at the Motocross Nationals, on the Podium with the overall; you’ve had a rollercoaster season up till this point, but Tommy you've had some great races!

T: Yeah, I’ve been so close in a couple of races but I crash or something dumb happened and I got ahead of myself but I just wasn’t going to let it happen this time. I was actually throwing up last night with freaking food poisoning and only got about 3 ½ hours of sleep so I was kind of panicking coming into today’s race but I actually feel pretty good now. It’s just good I got a lot of sleep the rest of the week.



A: Looking back at your Motocross season this summer how do you feel about what went down, you did earn a nice 5th place in the series.

T: My goal was to win a Moto and to finish top 5 overall, so I met both my goals. I also exceeded my own expectations and got an overall win here at Steel City, so I am ecstatic.



A: What’s after this race Tommy, do you have some things lined up?

T: I am going to go home to relax and enjoy some peace and quiet before Supercross 2010 starts back up.
 


A: Will you be racing at the SX US Open in Las Vegas?

T: Yes, I will be there, probably riding for Canidae; I’m not sure if my contracts is up before or after the Open but I should be riding a green machine.



A: Tommy can you tell us how the 1-day format of racing worked for you this Motocross season?

T: I think it was awesome. It gave us an extra day to practice at home. Being on the road four days out of the week and home for three is tough. So I was happy with how things worked out. With this schedule you are gone for only two days. I like it a lot and it’s definitely worked out better than expected. I hope we don’t go to a 1 Moto format next year but then it could play out in my favor sometimes but I really like the two Moto’s because it separates the men from the boys.

 

A: I was very impressed by your competitive nature out here this summer, you were right there challenging the top factory riders, what did you do to make these big moves in the season.

T: Basically I got on a good training program this year. I have some good friends that have helped me out along the way and they have helped me out a lot and I’ve learned a lot. Getting on the 450 helped me out tremendously because I am a bigger guy at about 175lbs. On the 250F I had to ride it so hard to keep up with the kids who weight 130lbs I just can’t compete with that. I’ve always rode better on a 450 and I love it.



A: Who do you have to thank for seeing you through this entire Motocross season and those great accomplishments?

T: I want to thank Canidae Motosports Kawasaki, Mitch and Bones at Pro Circuit, My mechanic, Jason Thomas, who works his butt off 24 hours a day, he is awesome. Dunlop, One Industries, Scott Gear and Goggles, Globe and just everybody, it’s just awesome. Also my Mom, Dad, and girlfriend, I just love them, and my brother who is always there for me, he was the first one to come up to me when I came off the track, it was awesome. I’m sorry if I missed someone but thanks to everyone!



A: well, what a great way to end the season Tommy, I’m very happy for you!

T: Thank you, see you at the US OPEN.

 

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