race recap
KEN ROCZEN | GRIT-219 | 450SX
May 9, 2023 · Ken Roczen
KEN ROCZEN | GRIT-219 | SX 450
Following a stellar performance in Nashville last week, Suzuki's Ken Roczen would take advantage of the series circumstances and perform (again) at a high level in Colorado. Roczen was on quite the trajectory in recent memory and aspired to compete at the top of the field once more while stationed in Denver. And for practice on Saturday, the expertise of the number ninety-four was apparent as he mastered every portion of the raceway with fluidity and made sure to embody that same momentum as the green flag was thrown for heat number one. He and Kyle Chisholm would battle (briefly) for the first place position, but it was the German rider who took the lead by the time the green flag was thrown. Even with Adam Cianciarulo behind him, Roczen never looked rattled amid the spotlight; remaining polished while tripling through the longest rhythm lane and launching the newfound wall-jump/double just before the finish line. He flourished when passing through the five-lap marker, looking ahead to remaining in the lead for all ten laps of action. And with confidence, the number ninety-four would do just that; executing the task as necessary to clench a notable heat race victory prior to heading to the main event. Though the finalé would begin with a disastrous first turn sequence, but luckily Ken was okay and hopped aboard the motorcycle as quickly as possible. It was during the opening bend when Ken would crash amongst the pack and be forced to begin the race from the last place position! The climb to the podium would be as steep as one could imagine, but Roczen was willing to do whatever it took in order to reach it! Steadily, he would work his way through the field, entering into the top five by the conclusion of the eighth lap; and seeing both, Justin Hill and Shane McElrath in front of him. Both of those opponents would put up a good fight, but by the end of lap twelve it was Roczen who resided third. He then pressured Adam Cianciarulo for quite the duration of circuits, until a slick move was made prior to beginning the twenty-first lap where Roczen would move to second! At that point, the window of opportunity (to take the lead) would be closing, and Ken was forced to stay in the runner-up position; though as always, extremely grateful for the second-place accolade he was granted upon reaching the final podium!