Page 24 - MPG19

theGRIT
IMAGE/JACKEDWARDS
Roczen explored different lines on the track and seemed in no hurry to pass for the lead as the two of them yarded the field dramatically. On lap 6, Roczen made a huge mistake through the rhythm lane coming onto the start straight and lost at least 2 seconds to the leader. He closed the deficit in under two laps and used a slick outside line to come charging up onto Dungey’s rear fender; this set up a silky smooth scrub pass up the inside of the Minnesotan and Roczen began his disappear-
ing act. He started throwing down qualifying laps, one after another and had gapped Dungey by approximately 10 seconds in only
2 laps. Unfortunately, a seal broke on Roczen’s KYB air forks which compelled him to ride the last three laps of the race cautiously, rolling all the major jumps. He was forced to give the lead back to Dungey and he finished just off the podium after putting in a champi- onship caliber ride. He was understandably furious after putting in such a stellar performance, but if anything, it only fired him up more for the second moto. He got a fantastic start and forced his way up the inside of Justin Brayton and Ryan Dungey to take the holeshot in moto 2 and he immediately put his head down. He rode like a man possessed, putting a 2.8 second lead on Dungey in just one lap and then steadily growing the gap from there. The second moto was much less eventful for the young German rider, clocking consis- tent lap times and managing a 10 second lead back to Dungey in 2nd place. Roczen didn’t let the cupped out, rutted up, gnarly track or the sweltering heat of southern California phase him toward the end of the moto; he logged consistent times until the end of the race and won by 20 seconds over Ryan Dungey in 2nd and Eli Tomac in 3rd. He credited his steak and mac ‘n cheese dinner from the night prior for his success - a luxury that the trainees at the Baker’s Factory aren’t allowed. Although, he didn’t win the overall on the day,
he knows that he let one get away with the mechanical failure in the first moto. In his mind, he’s undefeated so far this season and the
mind is the most important mechanism of a racer.
24 GRITMOTO • MAY.30.16
words/LAKEKILPATRICK