KEN ROCZEN | GRIT-217 | 450SX

KEN ROCZEN | GRIT-217 | SX 450

Knowing that the terrain of East Rutherford, New Jersey would be similar to Indianapolis (where Ken found immense success), and even to that of Unadilla (where the ninety-four had flourished in the past), Ken Roczen was certain to showcase quite the positive attitude as he rolled onto the raceway for practice on Saturday afternoon. Roczen had been the focal point of countless media outlets in the days prior, including having his bike stationed atop the Empire State Building for a unique ceremony of sorts! The number ninety-four was thriving in numerous facets as he then engaged in stellar practice times, where he was battling amongst the best in the 450cc division before heading into race action. It was here where he and Cooper Webb would immediately compete over the lead, going back and forth prior to reaching the finish line with a series of block passes...in which Webb seemed to establish his presence at the front of the pack. But before the second lap was completed, it would be Ken who completed a daring sequence of rhythm combinations, in the sector of obstacles just after the "SX" triple; shooting to the inside with a series of seat-hops that had him flying past the North Carolina native! He would "make the pass stick" in the turn just prior to the mechanic's area, never looking back as Webb attempted to rebuttal in the segments that followed. But Roczen eventually accrued a lead that was nearly four-seconds in totality, giving him an immense boost of momentum prior to heading to the main event. The sloppy conditions of the finalé (after rain had poured onto the stadium floor), would force all in the pack to be vigilant on how they attacked the raceway. But Roczen immediately attacked for the lead, making moves on Chase Sexton and Justin Barcia in the two corners thereafter; while attempting to break away from the number fifty-one machine. The experience in adverse conditions amongst European terrain would be paying off, and Roczen would hold the lead until roughly ten and a half minutes remained, where Barcia pushed Ken to the outside (in the corner before the whoops) and took the first place designation with aggressive force. He seemed to maintain a significant output of speed in the runner-up category, until a mistake in the whoops (with two and half minutes remaining on the clock), would have him tipping to the right side while Eli Tomac made the pass! Roczen all the while wasn't wearing goggles, which made his vision even more clouded while attempting to regather his pace and storm to the finish line. Luckily his lead over Chase Sexton was plentiful and enough to keep the Honda rider at bay in fourth...as Ken once again proved that his talent was world-class, while finalized in a third overall position when passing the checkered flag.

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