Ken Roczen is actually doing this. He’s racing a HEP Suzuki in the 250 class at the final round of the Pro Motocross Championship at Ironman this weekend.
This is totally giving me Kevin Windham vibes. Remember back in 2009 when K-Dub decided to race on a GEICO Honda in the 250 class at Unadilla? I was there that day with my dad along the fence. The vibes were amazing as the fans were going crazy for him as always.
The finishes were hot and cold that day as he finished 12th in the first moto and was caught up in a crash in the first turn, I believe, of the second moto. He charged back to 21st that race and was back on a 450 the following weekend at Budds Creek. Either way it was cool to see K-Dub back racing Pro Motocross as he had been Supercross only since the end of the 2007 outdoor series.
Obviously Roczen’s scenario is different. He’s not SX only. Yet dropping down to the 250 class isn’t something that you see a star of the sport do. He came back to race Unadilla and then took Budds Creek off, only to run the 250 at Ironman. I suppose the man is just doing whatever he wants right now.
I’ve learned in the past to never count Ken Roczen out. He’s got sprint speed that is maybe the best of all-time and he usually gets great starts. I don’t see any weaknesses to him racing the 250 class, other than the fact that he hasn’t raced one since the end of the 2013 season on a KTM. He also hasn’t raced a RMZ-250 since 2010 at the Motocross of Nations.
No matter how he does…it doesn’t matter. This is fun. I encourage other riders to do the same. If Cooper Webb’s thumb was okay it would be cool to see him join Kenny and do the same…what about you Eli Tomac?
How do you think Roczen’s weekend will go? Top five? Podium? Can he win?
One thing that is for sure is that it’s going to be an amazing show watching two different eras clash with Haiden Deegan vs. Roczen and the rest of the crew. I still have so many questions, but I can’t wait until that gate drops for moto 1.
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