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GERMAN SENSATION KEN ROCZEN’S TAKE ON HIS FIRST-EVER SUPERCROSS

The 16-year-old got the full experience in his first big stadium and ended up seventh
  
Ken Roczen set the fast time in qualifying and acquitted himself well in the 250 west main. Hoppenworld photo.

Dubbed the ‘German Sensation' the 16-year-old GP star turned heads immediately upon entering the track in the first practice session. Roczen's unique style grabbed the attention of fans across the stadium. He quickly moved up the lap time tower to the top spot earning the fastest 250 qualifying time of the day.
 
Unfortunately, a few laps into his final practice session Roczen was involved in a crash with another rider which resulted in a badly bruised thigh and forearm. He had to forfeit the remainder of practice to seek help from the medics. Roczen rested up before the heats and returned to action.
 
Roczen’s fast time gave him first gate pick in the second 250 West heat race. Kenny had a bad jump off the gate but that was the only negative about his heat. He rounded turn one in 15th and quickly jumped to 12th and soon into the top ten by the end of the first lap. The crowd was on their feet watching Roczen fly by one or more riders per lap to eventually put his KTM into a good fourthth place qualifying position.


Roczen's KTM 250SXF. Hoppenworld photo.
 
"It is my first time riding at this time of night and with my earlier crash I was feeling pretty tired heading to the main. It made me tighten up which hurt me off the start and in the first few laps," remarked Roczen.
 
In the 250 main, Roczen started near the tail end of the pack and rounded the first turn around 15th. Roczen jumped past a handful of riders and into tenth position within the first few turns. The next lap he moved into 9th and soon was sitting behind Nick Paluzzi. His fast lap times helped him quickly close the gap to Paluzzi making the pass right before the finish line on the fourth lap. A few turns later Roczen made a mistake and washed out in a turn. He recovered after losing two positions.
 
Another lap and he had passed back into eight and again had Paluzzi in his sights. He spent two more laps behind Nick and then made the pass stick around the halfway point. He began to close on Ryan Morais near the end of the moto but fell short on time. He ended his first race in a respectable seventh. A great finish for a rookie in his first Supercross race.


Roczen never got to see the leading Pro Circuit trio, but he will get his chance before the 250 West is over.Hoppenworld photo.
 
"I did have higher expectations coming into this race. I felt that I should have been within the top five. Reflecting back, I am still satisfied with my result because I am safe and able to return for Phoenix. I will use this race as motivation during the week to train harder and work toward a finish within the top five," stated Roczen.

Photos by Hoppenworld


MAY 2012, VOLUME 40, NUMBER 5
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WARNING: Much of the action de­pict­­ed in this magazine is potentially dan­gerous. Virtually all of the riders seen in our photos are experienced ex­­perts or professionals. Do not at­tempt to duplicate any stunts that are be­­yond your own capabilities. Always wear the appropriate safety gear.