This was Ricky Carmichael weighing in on the 2010 Monster Energy Supercross Series earlier in the week. Sure, the GOAT cited Stewart, Reed and Villopoto as championship contenders, but as far as his take on Suzuki protégé Ryan Dungey for 2010? Heavy praise, man.

After leading Team USA to victory in Italy last October, winning the AMA 2009 250 National Championship and clinching the 2009 AMA West Region Supercross Championship, the native of Belle Plaine, Minnesota has certain bee on a roll.

 The most sought after “free agent” during the off-season, Dungey re-signed with Suzuki and got right to work sorting out his works RM-Z450 for his rookie season in the 450 class.

Almost a week to the day before the season-opening Anaheim Supercross - Racer X spoke with the racer who will very likely inflict some damage on the football and baseball stadiums of the United States in the months to come.

Q: Ryan, what do you have going today?

A: Not a whole lot. I just kind of finished up with the stuff I had to do today early and I’m going to go out tonight and stay up for the Countdown. I’m getting ready for the New Year. It’ll be exciting. Q: Have you had a good off-season? Did you get to rest and catch your breath?

A: Yeah, it’s been good. Kind of got a little break there after the [Motocross] des Nations and went and checked out the U.S. Open a little bit and before I knew it, it was pretty much time to get right back to work. But it’s been really exciting, you know, with the new bike and moving up to the big class. We’ve had a lot to work on in coming up with a setting and stuff and stuff like that. It’s been a lot of fun getting ready and I’m looking forward to the New Year and the new season.

Q: Before we get rolling here, I want to ask you about something. Minutes before the third and final moto of the Motocross of Nations, I was standing back in the Parc Ferme right near you and Ivan Tedesco. Nobody was around. At one point, Ivan looked over at you and said “Let’s do this” as you guys punched knuckles. A few minutes later, you had passed Jonathan Barragan (Team Spain) for the lead and were pulling away. How did it feel to be out front and leading Team USA to victory?

A: Going into it, it was rough, you know? I didn’t know what to expect. I had never been there or ridden a 450, so going into it all I just tried to have an open mind and when the races came I just tried to be as ready as I could be and ride the best I could. I wasn’t going to worry about this or that. Going into that third moto, I knew we were down a little bit and I thought, “Man, alright, I can’t worry about it. If I go out there and do the best I can – and obviously winning is the goal – then that will put us in a good spot and hopefully Ivan pulls right up there along with me.” At the start of the race I was in second and I was thinking, “Man, I feel faster than this guy.” It was new to me with the big 450 so I was my nerves were going, but once I got in the lead I knew I was going to have to go and that’s what happened. It was a good feeling. It’s hard to put into words, but at the moment and at the time being I just tried to put my head down and keep pushing forward. I didn’t really know where were in the points, but on the last lap came around and they told us we had a chance. It was hard to believe once I crossed the finish line. I didn’t want to believe until I saw Ivan. When I saw Ivan, it was like “We did it!” It was pretty cool. It’s pretty amazing to represent your country and have the people behind you. Just the whole thing is an unbelievable experience. It was cool to be a part of it.

Q: Between winning the West Region Supercross Series, the 250 Nationals and the MX1 overall at the Motocross of Nations, 2009 was a hell of a year for you. In retrospect, were you real happy with how it all played out?

A: Yeah, I was really happy. I did what I wanted to do. I mean that’s the goal every year – to win the championships at the end of every series, which is cool because that’s what I did. At the same time I felt like I learned a lot from it. The best thing about it is that I feel like there is still a lot more room to improve. At the end of year, to look back at it and think about what we were able to accomplish as a team was pretty amazing.

Q: We all know the economy was especially tough on both the motocross community and industry during the off-season. Towards the end of the 2009 racing season, we had pretty much heard the rumors that you were at the top of every team’s wish list for 2010. Still, the word was, it took a while to get your deal done. Was all that pretty intense to deal with?

A: I think you hit the nail on the head. It’s a tough time of the year and the economy is tough, you know? Everybody said contracts were usually done by the time Vegas came rolling around (Note: The Las Vegas Supercross in early May), but then the outdoors were coming to an end and everybody didn’t know who was going where. It was tough, but for me, I wanted to stick with Suzuki. I knew Suzuki was a great team and I’ve been with them for three years now and now I’m going to do another two years with them now. You know my whole career, as far as being a professional I knew that if I could be the guy on top it would be that much better when contacts do come around. It was tough, for sure. I think everybody had a tough time – and still are. I think with everybody working together, we’ll all get through it and hopefully it’ll all come around.

Q: When did you start testing your 2010 race machinery and how did the testing go?

A: We started testing pretty quickly. I think we got a little bit of a head start, too, going to the 450s a little earlier than normal. I got a little supercross testing done, and then once we got through the des Nations, we got a little break and then got right into it. Everything was pretty quick. That’s the way I wanted it to be because it’s a new year and like everybody else, you want to come out swinging and being that guy on top.

Q: If you had to take a real rough track, how many laps do you think you out in on the Suzuki rack so far this winter?

A: Oh shoot. I don’t know. That’s a secret. Come on! (Laughter).

Q: Heading into Anaheim I, the 450 class isn’t some huge unknown mystery to you. I mean in 2008 you placed second on a 450 at the Minneapolis Supercross. I would think that would help your confidence come January 9, 2010.

A: Oh, it does for sure. I’ve had a couple of races on my 450 already, so it’s not so new to me. I know what I’m going up against. I wasn’t going for points or anything like that then. Now it’s more of a real series. I’m part of the class permanently now. It’s definitely cool. Like you said, I’ve had a few races and have been able to get my feet wet.

Q: I spoke with Ricky Carmichael at length earlier in the week. Of course he said he believed Stewart, Reed and Villopoto will be right in there for the championship, but he also came right out and said he thinks you’re going to win races. What do you think about that?

A: I try to put myself in a good position. Even though it is my first year, I think a lot of people will tell you that they just want to go into it and get the experience, bit I’ve always wanted to go out there and do the best I can and that’s to win and to win every race from here on out. I know there’s a lot of tough competition in guys like James, Chad and Ryan, but I think with time and experience, things will come. The challenge is something I’ve always looked forward to. I want to win races and be consistent. If it happens, it happens. If not, I’ll get time and experience.

Q: What sort of result will have you smiling as you walk out of the pits with your gear bag next Saturday night?

A: (Laughter) Definitely the number one spot! (Laughter). No, just to be healthy and safe and to be up on top and number one would be cool, but to come out of there in one piece would be great. It’s a long series and I want to come out of their learning something.

Q: What’ll make you happy after 17 rounds? A: Just to be right up there in the end. That’s always the goal every year: To be in the points’ battle. If things start winding down and things are looking good, we’ll worry about it then. I’m just going to do one race at a time and at the end of the season, I hope to be the guy on top. That’s the plan.

Q: Okay I have to ask the question… Your rival Jason Lawrence was released from jail last week. Did you hear about that?

A: Yeah, I did.

Q: Any comment?

A: Obviously everybody knows where we’ve been and what we’ve done, but I don’t wish anything like that to anyone. Jail is probably pretty brutal to be sitting in. I’m glad he’s out and maybe it’ll help him realize some stuff. That’s about it. I don’t know what else to say.