Page 10 - Issue-61

KEN ROCZEN
450 SX / 2ND
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / ROEWER DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> Ken Roczen has made one of the biggest comebacks in the history of motocross, after destroying his arm not even a year ago his ride at the series opener was seriously impressive. Most people didn’t even believe that he was going to come back let alone get on the podium in his first race back. Now that the first race jitters are out of the way Ken Roczen is looking just as fast as he had before destroying his arm. Qualifying as the second fastest head- ing into the night, Roczen meant business. Lined up for the first heat race, the Honda HRC rider was looking as calm as ever before the gate drop. Flying out of the gate and into the first turn Roczen grabbed himself the holeshot and pulled away in true dominant fashion winning the heat race. Moving onto the main even it was apparent that Roczen was ready to be back on the top step of the podium. Charging out of the gate for the main event Roczen was sitting in second behind Justin Barcia through the first turn. Passing Barcia within
the first lap Roczen wasted no time putting himself in the lead. As the laps counted down Roczen had a steady gap on the riders behind him, but once Anderson made the move into second that gap began getting smaller and smaller. With only a handful of laps left of the race they were neck and neck and Roczen was not giving up his spot easily. Unfortunately, Anderson was able to make a smooth pass sending the Honda HRC rider back into second. Unable to snag first place back Roczen finished off Round Two with a second overall, and moved himself into second in points behind Jason Anderson.
10 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 14, 2018