KEN ROCZEN - GRIT 234 450SMX

KEN ROCZEN | GRIT-234 | 450 SMX

Following last week's events between he and Jett Lawrence, Suzuki's Ken Roczen would be focused on nothing but the checkered flag as action came to fruition in Southern California. The German rider felt as if this was his moment to excel, and his stamina, race-craft, and overall prowess on the motorcycle couldn't have been higher as the first main event moto was set to take place in the early hours of the evening. At that point, he, Chase Sexton, and Jett Lawrence would all aspire to gather the highest standing in the running order - with the number ninety-four acquiring fourthas the narrative unfolded. He would advance into second after mistakes on behalf of Justin Barcia and Adam Cianciarulo, restarting here while Chase Sexton and Jett Lawrence were just behind him. With swift action, it would be Roczen who overtook the lead from Jason Anderson on lap six, with Lawrence making up valuable time in one particular section of the raceway....that of the dangerous quadruple jump (onto the plateau) that was just before the "SX" triple. Ken had been tripling-in all day, but the Honda of Lawrence was closing-in with considerable distance each and every lap this point in the moto would arise...leading to a pass (by Lawrence) being made on the eighth circuit, where a bit of flare was cast on behalf of the Australian rider, too. Roczen was far from finished though, and proceeded to engage in a series of explosive sprinting techniques that would rival the Honda athlete with all of his might; but Jett would somehow, have an answer for every countering move that Roczen displayed. Despite no shortage of effort, it was eventually second-place that was garnered for Ken in a commendable showing prior to moving into the final round of racing. Roczen was then fourth-place to initiate action in the latter showcase of the event, where the track was now deteriorated but he somehow managed to find smooth pathways amongst the braking bumps and pot-holes. Passing Adam Cianciarulo on lap two, it would be fight between both he and Jett Lawrence over the runner-up residency while attempting to track-down Chase Sexton - but the Illinois native appeared to be "gone" per se, as they neared the halfway point of the event. Roczen was throwing out every trick in the book to try and overtake the number eighteen, though it appeared that Lawrence had his raceway figured out...until an unfortunate crash (on behalf of Sexton) in the sand section would promote both racers to higher standing in the running order. Now second with nine laps remaining, it was a matter of attrition if Roczen wanted to hang-on to the runner-up residency...which he eventually garnered, amongst a very reasonable gap between he and his Honda opponent. Finalized in second for the final stage of the evening's showcase, it would be Ken who assembled a runner-up overall score (as well) following a tremendous display of speed.

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