When a popular athlete retires it serves as a reminder that time has no enemies.

So, when the rumor mill began swirling earlier this year that Ryan Dungey was plotting a comeback after five years off the Motocross track the news was met with hopeful anticipation even if highly unlikely. Besides, it wasn't the first time Dungey toyed with our emotions.

Then came the announcement.

The 4-time 450 class Supercross and 3-time 450 class Motocross Champion, known as the Diesel thanks in part to his record 31 straight podiums in Supercross, was indeed coming out of retirement and lining up behind the gate for the 2022 Pro Motocross season. At first it was just for a couple of rounds. We'll take it! And with Antonio Cairoli, the Motocross World Championship (MSGP) phenom, hitting the states for a few races after retiring from his series in 2021, the 50th Anniversary season of Motocross was quickly becoming historical.

He last raced one of the most exciting final rounds on record, taking the 2017 Supercross title over Eli Tomac by a mere five points, as Tomac infamously tried bunching Dungey up in the corners to get other riders up front. Dungey won an uncharacteristic three rounds that season, but did land on the podium 13 times, as he struggled with burn out and a desire to race. Some of that rooted in a then 10-year career but a crash during Moto 2 in Round 3 of the 2016 Motocross season resulting in a season-ending fractured vertebra weighed heavily. Even if he did finish fourth in that Moto for second overall.

A five-year absence helped light the competitive fire and that original intent of just racing a couple of rounds turned into the entire season. Dungey, who wears the #5 race jersey, placed a very apropos fifth in both motos for fifth overall at the opening round. He raced every round finishing a season high fourth-place in seven motos with one DNF no-thanks to an electrical issue in Moto 1 at Washougal.

With the season now in the rearview, MotoSport sat down with Dungey to discuss his comeback, the season and whether he will return for another gate drop.

Ryan Dungey grabs the Holeshot in Moto 1 at Washougal

1. Summarize why you came back and what led to you coming back.

For me it was definitely short-term thinking, I knew it wasn't going to be long term. I was looking for a challenge. There was a small part of me after racing wondering, could I come back five years later and be competitive? Did I want to race for 10th? Absolutely not. But to come back racing was a challenge I wanted for a long time.

So, I was doing testing for KTM at the time and we talked about it even though I had little time on the bike but I wanted the challenge to race competitively. Initially, we were going to do a few rounds, but I thought it made sense to do all of them. Ultimately, the goal was to go and race and be on Motocross of Nations at the end of the year.

2. Your first race back. That first gate drop. Was it like you raced yesterday or did you have a feeling of, "oh it's been a while"?

I think it all felt pretty natural. I remember the first gate drop and thinking it had been five years. Holy smokes we're here and you're back in race mode. It was a little bit surreal - This is happening. That second moto - now I know what this is like. The second gate drop was much better than the first. There's a lot of nerves.

3. The last time you raced Thunder Valley in 2016 you fractured your neck ending the season which in many respects led to you retiring. Did you have any nerves racing Thunder Valley knowing what happened the last time you were there?

That is one of the pieces that helped create some closure. That really messed with my mind a lot. The 2017 Supercross season was really wearing on me and when (the crash) happened, mentally I was burned out and it led to a mistake. Doing outdoors was to face that fear and the fear that it generated. That for me was the challenge I needed to pursue and face that fear. I did think about (the crash), but instead focused on the right thing not the wrong thing. In a weird way, not many people would understand, it can become a hurdle if you try and think about it. It was rewarding to face that fear.

4. Considering the injury occurred in Outdoors, why did you choose the Nationals instead of Supercross for your return?

The closure could have come from both, but Supercross was going to be a whole other level of prep with 17 races and a lot more time on the bike. Motocross comes a little more natural and when I looked at returning in previous years it was for Supercross only contracts. I knew Supercross was probably never going to happen again and Motocross was my last opportunity and it's how the cards fell. Plus, with how much I had been riding Motocross, it was a good option. Supercross requires moving but with Motocross I could train out of Minnesota.

Ryan Dungey finished sixth overall at Thunder Valley

5. What were your realistic expectations for the series when you made the decision to race?

Initially I knew I might not be as strong as where I wanted to be. In my head I thought Top 5 in the first couple of races and I could get stronger. That was my goal. I started out with a Top 5 finish, that was awesome. I got sick in the third round, by the fourth race I finished fourth in a Moto thinking this is where we need to be, but honestly, from that point forward it just stayed right there. I could never get from that fourth to third because I did not have the intensity or the physicality. Chase (Sexton) and Eli were on another level that I was not going to get to at this point. (Jason) Anderson he was really strong too. Those three were on another level that I could not get to.

6. Was the season a success to you?

Yeah, I think so. I don't want to say "Yes," but at the end of the day that was pretty dang good. I was gone for five years, but consistent, I can't be mad or bummed about that. I can't expect a whole lot more. Overall, I did a good job from where I was at and what I was trying to accomplish and staying healthy. I never got a Moto podium which is tough to accept but it was just for the summer and I didn't have to move.

It was fun to see everybody and hang out catch up with old friends. Feel that race stress again. I'm glad I did it, for me I needed to do it for myself and get some closure.

7. What would you have done differently?

When I found out I was going to go racing with the time I had, I did everything I could to get ready. Could I have done more, maybe, but I also had to know my limits and physically not run myself into the ground.

8. Did you train with Aldon Baker?

No. I did my own thing based off what I learned over my career. I could not go back to (the intense training) I did before as I couldn't necessarily jump right into the same workload I was doing while I was racing in 2017 because that would have too much too soon to handle. But I had the advice from Aldon when I needed it.

Ryan Dungey at RedBud

9. What surprised you most returning after five years?

Two things. The speed of the front guys and the intensity that went longer. When I was racing, around the 25 minute mark everyone dropped the pace. Chase and Eli's endurance, they had more and it was stronger.

10. If you could be a Top 5 guy for the next five years would you race five more years?

No. I think for me it drives me crazy to go out there and only get a Top 5. I have to know I can win. If I can't go out there and win and just do it for another five years, I'll put myself through too much stress and worrying.

11. OK the big question, will you please come back next year?

Initially, I was thinking in my head, if you start doing well then maybe I would entertain that option. It was brought up around Round 4 or 5. I played with the idea for two months and let it sit there. I talked with Lindsay (his wife) and what it would look like but when it finally came down to it about three rounds before the end, I decided to move forward. This racing was always a short-term plan.

Noooooooooooooooooooo!

MotoSport welcomes Ryan Dungey to the team! We've partnered with Ryan Dungey to produce a special edition, small batch of RD Coffee called MotoSport Race Fuel only available at MotoSport.com. For every bag purchased, MotoSport will donate $5 to Boot Campaign's Santa Boots Program to surprise military families with holiday gifts from grateful Americans.