MotoConcepts’ Mike Alessi admits that his win as a privateer in moto one at Washougal’s round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship was a special one.

Alessi finished second overall behind runaway series leader Ryan Dungey on Saturday with 1-2 finishes, but it was his opening race victory that had him most excited due to his underdog status.

“First win for MotoConcepts – we’re a privateer team,” Alessi beamed. “I feel like no one believed in me or believed in them. We’re kind of the underdog team. It’s a totally different feeling for me racing as a privateer.”

Of his battle with Dungey at Washougal, Alessi said that it was his goal to protect the inside lines in a bid to secure a moto win.

“I just did my best to put in the biggest fight that I could and protect those insides,” Alessi added. “I knew the only way he was going to be able to get around me was that he would have to go around me on the outside. I just made sure that I held on tight to those insides.

“He was riding extremely good and put the pressure on in those last couple of laps. I just went for it. It feels good to get a moto win. I tied for the overall, which is great.

“It’s weird because, even though I got second, getting that taste of first that first moto, it feels good. That hunger and that spark is back.”

With the result, Alessi remains second in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross standings.