Page 50 - GRIT_86

KEN ROCZEN
450 MX / 7TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> All throughout the coming weeks to this event, teams and riders were con guring numer- ous calculations and pairs of settings, in order to generate an optimal motorcycle as the race weekend would approach. Rebound, sag, acceleration, and engine mapping, (among countless others) were all shuf ed in order to make the most ef cient model possible. As the weekend approached, Ken Roczen and team appeared to have it all gured out. But
as always, once practice began, so did their hypothesis from earlier in the week. With the forecast showing periods of gloom and moisture, both tires and suspension would have to be altered. They wanted as much traction as possible with the ground beginning to soften up, and did their best to adjust. Finally, as they boarded the gate for moto one, the felt most prepared. Storming out of the hole, the holeshot device would disengage and he would transfer his weight to the rear tire. The right hand would be cocked back, and he would defend his current position as if it were a matter of life and death. Jousting back and forth with Cooper Webb, he would try every line possible in order to grow this gap and alleviate the pressure that was arising. A bit of breathing and airtime would be the remedy, soaring through the New York air and having a moment of clarity. Upon landing, it was a smashing of both chassis and throttle, reiterating his notion of effort. Applause would arise from crew- members around the track, as they could view the tenacity from afar. Looking to cap off the moto in solid fashion, he placed a bounty on the head of Webb; he would take it, leaving no chance at a stolen ransom, and nishing the race in seenth. The second moto saw the track conditions becoming treacherous even to the naked eye, yet he knew this was a chance to impose his will on the mistakes of others. Leaving no stone unturned, he was in hot pursuit of the front-runners in the early going, trying to charge a mere millisecond longer than the opposition. It was all he could do to keep the machine upright, as the dirt began to be caked along the skid plate and make the bike heavier. Luckily the build up of lactic acid was of
no matter to his nervous system, and he volleyed through the moto with an abundance of strength. He would nish seventh, and cumulate a score of seventh overall.
50 GRITMOTO • AUGUST 12, 2018