Motocross Legend Ryan Dungey Shifts Gears to Launch RD Coffee

The RD Coffee signature Holeshot blend. All images courtesy of RD Coffee.

Nine-time American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Supercross/Motocross Champion Ryan Dungey has launched a specialty coffee company in his home state of Minnesota called RD Coffee.

Based in the the southwest Minneapolis suburb Chanhassen, the company gunned it off start line in June of last year and hasn’t hit the brakes since. Recently, RD Coffee rolled out its first espresso blend, called Holeshot, featuring a mix of beans from Colombia and Guatemala. Holeshot is the fifth roasted whole-bean product to be released by RD Coffee, making it an extra special one for the champion who often wore the number 5 in races.

Ryan Dungey racing.

“There are a lot of similarities, from working with machines and maintenance to constantly adjusting profile,” Dungey recently told Daily Coffee News. “In racing, it was important to collect data to make sure we were always getting better, whether it was with the dirt bike or physical conditioning. That included big details to small. I’ve found the same to be true with coffee as we are constantly fine-tuning each area — whether it’s sourcing different origins, roasting profiles, roasting processes, product packing.”

As the first motocross athlete to be featured on a Wheaties box, it’s fitting that Dungey is taking another lap around the breakfast table with RD Coffee. He’s also not the first motorsports hero get into the specialty coffee business. NASCAR driver Trevor Bayne, who opened Mahalo Coffee Roasters in Nashville in 2019, was among some racing industry friends who helped Dungey pursue some deeper coffee knowledge.

“I spent a lot of time dedicated to researching and studying early on,” said Dungey. “It was through some friends who shared the same passion in other motorsports and had roasters and coffee shops that I was able to reach out and learn a lot from them.”

Dungey now collaborates with a small-batch roasting partner to source green coffees through Minneapolis-based Cafe Imports for roasting on a Loring machine.

“As far as the craft goes, it’s just like racing taught me, and that’s that it’s a continual process and you can never stop learning,” said Dungey. “It’s important to be open-minded and maintain a learning mentality. I do believe we are off to a good start and we will continue to improve as we grow.”

As Dungey and company continue to open the throttle on RD Coffee, the next move will be an expansion into roasting for the wholesale market.