Page 10 - GRIT-83

KEN ROCZEN
450 MX / 2ND
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> When viewing the tracks around the schedule, many times, you are often quick to note each track having its’ own particular trademark. You have the notorious sands of South-
wick, the massive hills of Glen Helen, or the treacherous off-cambered layout of High Point. However, when asking all in the industry, to identify a track that’s almost a combination of all, what would they choose? It was a consensus agreement on Red Bud, and something that was agreed with by Ken Roczen. You couldn’t necessarily pick one speci c tire, or routing of engine mapping to lump the track under. It was simply a feel of best t, down to each rider’s respective choice. He agreed upon a tire that was a bit of blend, along with the choice of en- gine package. Knowing he could afford a bit of give and take, he walked to the line for the rst moto, gleaming with con dence. Out of the pad, he immediately took a subtle glance to the left, and bee lined for the inside marker of turn number one. Looking largely at a near open track ahead of him, he decided to throw a gauntlet down of raw speed, putting as much dis- tance between he and Phil Nicoletti as possible. The moto would then being to run its course, as he would hop through and through these breaking bumps, creating masterful pieces of rhythm lanes, out of supposed straightaways. It was ef cient, yet he had somewhat of a dif- cult task, in the sense of truly breaking free from the link of Benny Bloss, who sat behind. He began to take tting into the runner-up position, until Eli Tomac’s bike would seize! The lead would be his! After the moto had run its course, he looked to his team for a bit of reassurance, and constructive criticism, in order to strive for the overall. A nish of rst place had him sitting pretty when the clock would roll around again. He would then load the line for moto number two, ready to strike with a ball full of aggression. Hitting the rst half a lap with outright, jaw- dropping speed, it was clear to many in attendance, which few were truly vying for a spot at an overall victory. With Justin Barcia in his rearview, it was all he could do to keep the pack around him subdued. They would ght lap after lap, with the Honda keeping him at bay until the absolute last lap; where the pressure of the Yamaha rider would overtake the German.
As he came across the nish line, he knew that his nish of third would be a tad short of the overall. However, leaving healthy, and in tact, he knew the upcoming round would be a place for redemption.
10 GRITMOTO • JULY 1, 2018