KEN ROCZEN | GRIT-211 | 450SX

KEN ROCZEN | GRIT-211 | SX 450

Knowing that his practice regimen in the days prior was tireless, Ken Roczen appeared eager to brave the most troublesome conditions as the notorious Daytona Supercross event transpired. Welcoming challenges in all facets, he was quick to do his best and rival the front-runners of the field in practice; giving way to no-one as he blasted through the sand aboard his newfound Suzuki machine. The dozer blades that once gave the layout a pristine look were now erased, with lines that were tire-width wide upon every jump on the track. The multitude of quads that were arising (after the finish-line) were a definite separator, and something he hoped to continue in the races that were yet to come. Once engines revved for his heat race, there was a deafening roar that emerged from the infield area as riders piled into turn number one. Nearly clashing handlebars with Eli Tomac, he was mindful of now become erratic on the first lap where plenty of riders behind would cross-rut. Pushing through the outside-inside line of the "s-curve," he would nearly ram into the rear wheel of the red-plate holder who was just ahead and had almost come to a stop at one point. Yet he made it to the finish-line rather clean while exhibiting quite the run aboard his number ninety-four machine. Nearly flat-landing prior to the face of the "SX" triple on lap four, his instances of over-jumping would begin to take a subtle (but noticeable) toll on his overall reservoir of stamina. However he was prepared for the current heat race, and the match ahead...exiting the track with an astounding second-place in hand. For the main event, he and Aaron Plessinger were nearly interlocked for the first five minutes of action; leaping through the outside of the tapered rhythm lane and almost clipping the outer tuff-block(s) on more than one occasion. He tried to mimic the explosiveness of Chase Sexton (who was third) understanding that if his line choice could replicate the Honda rider, he was destined to infiltrate a position that was on the brink of a top five. The elevated corner that appeared rather welcoming on the outside (to begin the day) was now decimated and full of peg-dragging grooves on the furthest rim of the right-handed turn. Anticipating that the track would become unrecognizable as they past the twelfth minute mark, his assumption would have him avoiding countless insides that were almost impassible. And when veering from the shortest route, his gap over RJ Hampshire would amplify...eventually doing enough to corral seventh in the final four minutes of action, where he resided as he crossed the line over the last double on the track.

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