VOL. 53 ISSUE 30 AUGUST 2, 2016 P65
I
t's a sad reality in the sport of mo-
tocross, especially in the USA, that
often the only time a racer can really
get "time off" is if they're spending said
time healing up from an injury. The
schedule for a healthy AMA 450cc fac-
tory racer looks approximately like this:
October 1 marks the beginning of
their factory contract (usually).
Sometimes, they begin riding their
new factory machine as early as a
month before their contract starts, and
in these cases, on occasion, they will
race the Red Bull Straight Rhythm and
the Monster Energy Cup in October.
October through the end of Decem-
ber is set aside for supercross testing
with their team, and for building their
fitness base for the upcoming season.
Countless laps at test tracks, preceded
or concluded with fitness training, it's
not uncommon for them to work hours
long enough that they'd be given over-
time in the "real world."
During this same period of time, and
throughout the year, they have obliga-
tions to their sponsors to appear at
dealer meetings, be photographed for
advertising and their autograph posters
for the year, do interviews with media,
shoot videos with film crews, and even
do promotion for the promoters of
the AMA Supercross and Motocross
Championships.
BALLS OUT
Dungey talks about his recent success, his season-ending
injury, beating Ken Roczen (and vice versa), burnout, riding
naked and the "R" word—retirement!
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE COX
