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As the morning sessions got underway, Kenny appeared to use the time efficiently by spotting out potential fast lines instead of pushing the limits to achieve the 450 class’s fastest time. Qualifying 4th, outdone by nearly two whole seconds, there was no reason to worry for Roczen, though, as the ruth-
less German always shows up despite his spot in the pre-race festivities.
For Muddy Creek, it happened to be the 250 class’s turn to race last, therefore 450 moto one was up first and Roczen came prepared. Surprisingly, especially with the results in practice, Roczen appeared stunned by the quick gate drop. Not getting the intended jump, there was a moment of doubt when Ken wasn’t seen in the front pack after the first few turns but the #94 found himself in 5th early, following a few first lap passes. As the nerves began to settle, Ken found himself behind the #51 of Barcia in 4th and things got heated quickly. Carrying momentum around the outside, dicing any line that Justin wasn’t in, the two traded paint a couple of times before Roczen made the move stick. Now pushing the pace in 4th, with Cole Seely beginning to stretch his lead out front, Roczen settled in behind Pourcel to find his spot of assault. Blitzing the edges, Ken got around Pour- cel a few turns later by using raw speed around the outside. With pure momentum, the German was maximizing his low level flight on the boulevard in front the fans as a hot spot for picking up positions, getting by Nicoletti at the end of the tracks longest straightaway. Now in 2nd and down eight seconds to Seely’s nearly commanding lead, Roczen, with the green #3 of Tomac on his tail, put down the heat to reel Cole in with plenty of time to spare. In the process, Ken had shaken the thick pressure from Tomac but wasn’t out of the woods yet. Mounting a late race charge, Eli got close enough to harass Roczen before the moto’s finish but Roczen’s rapid tempo appeared to be too much. The moto victory made Roczen eight for nine on the season and an obvious favorite heading into moto two.
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