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KEN ROCZEN
450 SX / SD
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / LANNAN DESIGN / WILSON
>> Ken Roczen got a lot of heat last weekend when he showed up in
a suit, but once the night was over, the results showed that he meant business as much as his attire. Kenny is proving every time he is on the bike, or in an interview, that he is determined to win the 450 Supercross Championship in 2017. There is no doubt he got off to a great start last weekend with an unchallenged win, and it was plain to see that winning is his only option when qualifying began in San Diego. He looked very comfortable aboard his red machine early on and posted the 3rd fastest lap going into the night. When 450 Heat 2 began, Kenny got a good jump and tucked inside, which gave him a comfortable lead by the third corner. The rest was history, as he cruised to another victory. Roczen was ready to begin a win streak when the gate dropped for the much anticipated 450 Main Event. He got a good jump off the gate but was forced to the middle of the first corner where he was had no choice but to be cautious. He came out of the second corner in 3rd place and he barely missed a wild Marvin Musquin flying off the side of the track. Kenny was now in second place and maintaining the margin between himself and leader, Dungey. He made an attempt to pass by diving inside before the triple but was forced to double, handing the lead back to Dungey. Roczen would then follow, and by lap six, he started to increase the pace. Ken was shifting up off the double before the whoops and making the Honda go as fast as it would go through the man-eater section. Ken’s speed proved to be enough as he was able to make a clean block pass on Ryan after the single across the start straight. Now, it was Ryan’s turn to play cat and there is no doubt that he picked up on a few things. Dungey followed closely, very closely, for the next 13 minutes. Roczen kept his composure despite the hard charging Ryan and was able to avoid the pass attempts. Ken fought hard, all the way to the end, and would take his second win of the season.
10 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 15, 2017