Page 46 - MPG14

theGRIT
Right from the get-go, the two riders bolted out through the first few laps putting some distance between themselves and the rest of the lineup. Dungey remained consistent early on while Roczen seemed to be shaking with energy, rummaging for his way past. Although he didn’t fall more than two
seconds back, it wasn’t until lap six that Roczen finally showed Ryan his front fender. The two were close
for a couple sections but Ken, again, dropped off the pace for a short period of time. Trying to utilize different rhythms, Roczen ended up with an aggressive, clean block pass on Dungey after getting a phenomenal drive into the step-on section on lap ten. The lead was brief,
as Dungey dove back under in the very next corner to pull back out front. With Dungey’s dominance still up front, Roczen rode hard to
close the gap and get back on Dungey’s rear tire for the next couple revolutions around the track. As the two crossed the finish to start lap thirteen, Roczen was still within a couple bike lengths but came in to the left-handed one-eighty a little too hurried, where, as he reached the apex, the front wheel ducked, washing out and forcing Ken to hit the deck. Dropping eight-seconds in the catastrophe to dash the chances of an all-out twenty lap final, the crash allowed Jason Anderson into 2nd. Getting up and going, Roczen realized the importance of the extra point he needed and worked the remaining seven laps to get back by Anderson a few bends before the finish line. Another round gone in the winds of history and he again finds himself in 2nd to his most demanding nemesis. With only three rounds left in the season, Roczen will continue to embark upon the difficult task he has ahead in the imminent overtake of the red-plated #1 rider.
46 GRITMOTO • APRIL.18.16
words/BRENTECKERT