race recap
KEN ROCZEN | GRIT-218 | 450SX
May 2, 2023 · Ken Roczen
KEN ROCZEN | GRIT-218 | SX 450
The fortitude of Ken Roczen would be an attribute that had to be recognized throughout the day in Nashville, as even with the slick conditions of practice, he and his Suzuki machine remained steadfast at the front of the field. Though his opportunities at a championship were slim at this point in time (with Eli Tomac and Cooper Webb fighting over the title), the will to win of Roczen was unquestionable. After surging to the highest tier(s) in all of the field for overall standings in practice, it was then time for heat two to begin. The pack of astounding competitors were rounding the unique right-handed bend with aggression, and Roczen would immediately push forward into the pinnacle of the standing(s). WIth Justin Barcia immediately behind him though, Roczen would have very little room to spare as he hoped to pull away from the rest of the field. His reign atop the standing(s) was short lived though, as with a little over two minutes remaining on the timer, Barcia would leap to the inside of the initial rhythm lane; and push him to the outside of the berm thereafter, forcing Ken to second. Knowing that Chase Sexton was on the move (as well), Roczen would fight extremely hard to retain the runner-up designation, but it was to no avail; and Ken was overtaken by Chase prior to the sixth lap being completed. Now third, he would reside here when passing the checkered flag (as well) while looking ahead to the main event. Once here, his start would be considered "mid-pack" as he hovered between seventh and tenth in the opening sequences, quickly advancing forward to the best of his abilities however. Though with Cooper Webb injured, and multiple factory riders behind Roczen, it seemed as though there was a path for the German rider to accrue a successful showing if he continued to display determination. He then occupied a position in the top five after the fourth circuit, seeing both Justin Hill and Justin Barcia ahead. With calculation on the racetrack being displayed all the while, he would pass the number fifty-one (who'd crash over the dragon's back) along with Justin Hill, before lap ten was completed. From that point forward, the pack had extensively dispersed themselves, leaving Roczen at his own pace in the bronze medal registry, prior to the checkered flag being claimed. It was a solid ride by all accounts, and Roczen knew that another consistent score (of third) would solidify his Suzuki in the highest tier of the standings prior to the series concluding!