Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey has been put down by fans and media alike for failing to win a main event in 2011, since he's the defending champ. However, one thing he has been is consistent. With the exception of Anaheim 2, when he threw a chain, Dungey has only been off the podium twice, and those were a fourth-place finish in Indy and a fifth at round two in Phoenix. That's it. Every other race, he's been on the box. And then this past weekend in Toronto, he finally nailed down his first win of the season, and just like that, he's only eight points out of the championship lead as we hit the stretch run with five rounds left.

Motocross.com: So, do you feel like people were counting you out a little bit?
Ryan Dungey: You know, I don't think that's important. What's important is that we keep plugging away. And nights like tonight, it's not about what everybody else thinks and what everybody else says. It's not about the drama and this and that. It's about racing dirt bikes. And I think at the end of the day, we always try to keep our head down and keep pushing forward and be on top of the box. You know, that's the goal; to win races and win championships. But I think more importantly, to get this first win of the season felt really special. And getting off to a great start was really key tonight and putting down good laps. And thankfully we were able to come out right on top. And just got to give it up for the whole team and all the fans; everybody for sticking behind me, really.

What made the difference between being on the podium and finally actually winning?
I don't think anything was necessarily missing or anything. I mean, if anything it might have been a little bit of bike set-up in the beginning. Maybe I was chasing a set-up a little bit that, you know, wasn't the best. But I think overall we were able to find a good setup and just keep plugging forward. This year is really a lot tougher than last year, you know? Hands-down. There's a lot of tough competition. But at the same time it's a great opportunity to keep moving forward and it means that much more to accomplish your goals and to pull off a race win like we did tonight.
Ryan Dungey just found himself in the championship hunt after his first win of the season, and his timing couldn't be better. (Photo: CoxMX.com)

In Daytona, you were really moving forward, for example, but had that setback in the heat...
Yeah, and that's where it kind of comes down to as well; putting yourself in a good position to win, you know? And that really comes from getting a good start, putting in good laps and being right there from the very beginning. And I think Daytona, for example, obviously I had to go to the LCQ and then the gate position wasn't as great. But it's the bad days like that where you can really make a difference in your chances at a title, because we're all going to have them.

And you did make the most of that night...
That's what you try to do. I mean, don't get me wrong; those days are hard. You know, they're hard on you mentally, physically and so forth. But I guess to win in the end and to know myself that I never gave up is reward enough.

How do you handle it mentally to be so close but keep failing to win a race?
Well, the way I look at a championship is that it's not always going to be everything you wanted. Some days are going to be harder than others. Some days it's going to really play on you physically as well as mentally. But mentally it's huge to be ready for a season because sometimes, when things aren't going your way and you need to kind of pull yourself out of that little bit of funk you're in mentally, you've got to be strong and never give up. You have to remember that it's a 17-race series, which is not only hard on a body, but mentally; every single weekend, racing takes a toll. But I always believe there are tests in life. You know, sometimes days are harder, things aren't clicking, things aren't working, and you got to keep believing and keep having faith and keep plugging away, because in all reality no matter what position you're in, it's not over 'til it's over. And I always believe it's important whether it's a race, championship, whatever the case may be to never give up. There is still a lot of racing left.
Dungey's win puts him eight points out of the championship lead with five rounds left to run. (Photo: CoxMX.com)

There are five races left and you're eight points out, so how does that feel?
It's good, but at the same time there's a lot of racing left...

A hundred laps...
Yeah, and at the end of the day that's what's important. But at the same time you can't jump steps and you need to take it one day at a time. And that's what we're trying to do, you know? I think it's important that we keep our head in the game and keep things rolling. You know, it's special to pull nights like tonight off and to have my family, friends and team to do it with. And I know how hard those guys work, and myself as well. And I can guarantee that if I lose it's not going to be because we weren't ready. We prepare and do all we can. But I think it's important to just keep having faith, believing and taking it one day at a time.