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Daytona proved that the start was the most important part of the race, with it being one of the hardest tracks to pass on so far this season. Ken roczen of the rCH Suzuki team had a hard time with this all night long, but that didn’t hold him back from working his way past as many riders as he could. after having a pretty good day in practice and qualifying he makes it in, in
6th place, giving him a good gate pick for his heat race. He doesn’t quite get the good jump that was needed for this style track but he puts himself in 6th right off the start of his heat race. Sitting just two spots out of a transfer position, Roczen definitely didn’t want to have to do any extra racing then needed he quickly moved into 5th. Now just one spot out he gets by Friese giving him the needed transfer position. He closes the gap between him and Millsaps, but was not able to make the extra passing finishing the heat race in 4th, transferring to the main. Once again not quite getting the front of the pack start that was needed for the night, Roczen begins his main event back in 10th place several positions behind Dungey. Knowing
that every point matters he put his head down and begins to charge his way forward. Frustrated behind Grant, Roczen finally passes him on lap four chasing down his next target, Pourcel. He quickly passes Pourcel and Nicoletti putting him in 7th right behind Trey Canard. As he nears the front of the pack the competition also begins to thicken making it even more difficult to get the needed passes. He passes Millsaps who fell back, moving him up to 6th. Still behind Canard, the RCH Suzuki rider is striv- ing to get himself into the top five. About halfway through the main event Roczen is able to make the pass placing him in 5th. By this time it was a little too late to catch the front runners who were in a battle of their own. Roczen finishes off the main event in 5th place falling a little further behind in the championship points. Sitting 39 points out of first Roczen is really going to need those positions in front of Dungey to claim the title.
words/CORTNEYROEWER WWW.GRITMOTO.COM
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