KEN ROCZEN - GRIT 238 450SX

KEN ROCZEN | GRIT-238 | 450 SX

Believing that he could return to championship form, long before the series began just weeks ago, Ken Roczen's speed throughout the first three rounds was extremely impressive. He was an athlete who was as versatile and as naturally talent as anyone in the field; and knew that a strong start to this trilogy of main events was critical, if he wanted to have any shot at a top-tier overall. Following a decisive practice effort where he (again) was amongst the leaders of the field, the German athlete focused on the thirty-second board going sideways and timely released the clutch as he leaped from the line...in a position outside of the top five, but brilliant whoop speed and crisp passes would quickly enable the Suzuki pilot to generate fourth. Making a significant pass on Jason Anderson as lap three was completed (after going back and forth with the Kawasaki rider), Roczen was then on a pathway to try and overtaking Cooper Webb - but the veteran Yamaha racer was resilient and kept Roczen at bay for the duration of the main event. Established in third as the checkered flag waved, Ken seemed more than prepared to excel in the following round. Residing around the tenth-place residency for the second round, the number ninety-four was eagerly seeking opportunities to make passes. Eventually pulling away from the likes of Jorge Prado, Hunter Lawrence, Eli Tomac, and Chase Sexton, he nullified the charge(s) of the aforementioned while under intense fire from countless members of the opposition. Though submerged in a train of top-tier competitors, Roczen toggled between arcing lines and acute angles all the way to the final double...finishing just behind Justin Cooper to claim sixth. Despite crashing in the opening corner of the final main event, Ken proceeded to rally as far forward as possible. Ultimately fighting into the tenth-place registry, and then advancing ahead to ninth, he and Jason Anderson would continue to chip away at athletes like Dylan Ferrandis and Justin Cooper...but it was to no avail. However, with the shake-up on the last lap and the tireless effort by Suzuki's Roczen, his constant striving for higher positioning allowed him to take tenth in the moto - which generated a seventh place overall standing and momentum for Detroit, where the number ninety-four is certain to excel on a rutted SX course.

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