Page 12 - MPG18

IMAGE/JACKEDWARDS
Ken Roczen was a favorite to win the outdoor title going into last year that would have made for back-to-back championships for the young gun out of Germany. But unfortunately his bid for the title would take an immediate hit at the opener at Hangtown. He entered the season with a stress fracture
in his back and it was very obvious that he was not at 100% en route to his 19-5 moto finishes. Partner the injury with struggles finding the correct bike setup on his new RCH Suzuki for a majority of the season and you had a mess. In between the 2014-2015 season Roczen made a controversial decision when he jumped from Factory Red Bull KTM where he had just won the 2014 championship and plenty of other successes to the relatively young and new RCH Suzuki squad. Many people said that it was rumored that he and Dungey didn’t get along being each others biggest rivals housed under the same tent which ignited the switch in teams but Roczen has said that it was the decision that felt gave him the best chances at winning in the years to come. Nonetheless the 2015 season was a struggle in both Supercross and Motocross but he was able to put together some great rides and wins in each. The 2016 outdoor season could be Roczen’s time to breakout on the RCH squad as he looks faster than ever before coming off of a fantastic finish to the Supercross season.
KEN ROCZEN
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GRITMOTO • MAY.23.16
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