Motocross
5 Reasons Ken Roczen is tearing up AMA Supercross
The German rider might be a rookie, but he’s taking the 2014 championship by storm.
Ken Roczen at Oakland
© Garth Milan/Red Bull Content Pool
Nobody doubted that Ken Roczen would eventually win a race in the highly competitive 450SX Class in AMA Supercross – but few expected him to do it so quickly. The Red Bull KTM rider shocked the racing world several weeks ago by winning the first race of the season, which was also the first of his debut full 450SX season.
Since then he’s continued to do well and sits third in the points, ahead of a stack of talented veterans. Here are five reasons why…
1) Roczen’s got phenomenal skill
Sure, Kenny’s a rookie in his class, but let’s not forget what he accomplished before getting to where he is today. He’s a former MX2 World Champ, has won multiple AMA Motocross races and is the 2013 Western Regional AMA 250SX Champ. You don’t accumulate accolades of this magnitude without possessing incredible skill; obviously the kid’s got plenty of it.
Roczen lies third in the riders' standings
© Garth Milan/Red Bull Content Pool
2) The KTM rider’s got plenty of confidence
When Ryan Dungey nearly won the opener in 2010 in a fierce battle with James Stewart, he said it gave him the confidence he needed to win races that year and eventually, the championship. Well, Ken Roczen didn’t nearly beat James Stewart in the opener – he did beat James Stewart in the opener after Stewart crashed while going for the lead. Considering that Roczen’s been battling near or at the front of the pack since, it’s safe to say the victory gave him the confidence he needed to compete for more wins.
3) Roczen might be young, but he’s got experience
Since KR has never put in a full supercross season aboard a 450, he is technically a rookie, but he’s still got experience in the class. Roczen has competed in multiple races every year since 2011, and he nearly won the Seattle Supercross in 2012 aboard a KTM 350. In other words, he knew what he was getting into this season and was able to properly train for it, which has shown in the incredible speed and poise he’s demonstrated so far this season.
Battling with James Stewart didn't phase Roczen
© Garth Milan/Red Bull Content Pool
4) He’s been training with Ryan Villopoto and Aldon Baker
Knowing he had to up his game for 2014, Roczen moved to Florida where he trains with Ryan Villopoto under the watchful eye of legendary trainer Aldon Baker, the same man who helped James Stewart and Ricky Carmichael to win multiple championships. Being around Villopoto, the man who has won the last three supercross championships, has allowed Roczen to learn the amount of work and level of intensity necessary to win premier titles. As for Villopoto? He says having Kenny around is nothing but additional motivation.
5) He’s got proper backing from Red Bull and KTM
You can’t expect to go far in racing without a championship-calibre team, and Roczen is in one of the most powerful teams in the paddock: Red Bull KTM. In addition to being shoulder-to-shoulder with superstar Ryan Dungey (and to a slightly lesser degree Marvin Musquin), Roczen also has access to the mind of one of the most experienced and legendary men in the sport: team manager Roger DeCoster. Throw in the abilities of the talented mechanics, suspension specialists and immense knowledge of Technical Director Ian Harrison, and you’ve got a team that presents Roczen with a top-notch machine and racing programme every day.
Ken Roczen will be in action this weekend when he rides out at Anaheim 3 for round five of the 2014 AMA Supercross series.
