by Chase Stallo
Bench Racing Ammo: Pro Circuit Kawasaki vs Red Bull Teka KTM
Friday, September 9, 2011 | 10:30 AM
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PrintWith a summer filled with more action than the high school prom, there’s been one consistency throughout the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship: Pro Circuit will have a rider on the podium—how many being the only question. While the Pro Circuit “season of dominance” has been well documented, across the pond in the MX2 Class (equivalent of the 250 Class) the Red Bull Teka KTM team has enjoyed a season that bears a striking resemblance to the one Pro Circuit is enjoying stateside.
German wunder-kid Ken Roczen and Scotsman Dean Wilson have already locked up titles for their respective teams both in the U.S. and in the GPs, with their teammates Jeffery Herlings (for Roczen), Tyla Rattray, and Blake Baggett brining up the rear. Pro Circuit has swept the podium in a remarkable five-of-eleven rounds and have yet to lose an overall—while only losing one moto all season at Southwick.
Across the pond, the young, flashy Red Bull Teka KTM duo of Roczen and Herlings have only lost two overalls in fourteen rounds thus far—the Grand Prix of France and the Grand Prix of Europe.
With only one race remaining in each of the perspective series’ we’ve decided to take a look at how similar their seasons really have been. Below you will find a chart of each round of the respective series’ with the riders that have put their stamp of the podium for each team.
[Note: The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship has consisted of only eleven races thus far while the Grand Prix tour has raced fourteen]
| Race | Pro Circuit Kawasaki | Red Bull Teka KTM |
| Hangtown / GP Bulgaria | Baggett/Wilson/Rattray | Roczen/Herlings |
| Freestone / GP Netherlands | Rattray/Wilson | Herlings/Roczen |
| High Point / GP USA | Baggett/Rattray/Wilson | Roczen/Herlings |
| Budds Creek / GP Brazil | Baggett/Rattray/Wilson | Herlings/Roczen |
| Thunder Valley / GP France | Rattray/Wilson | None |
| RedBud / GP Portugal | Baggett/Wilson/Rattray | Herlings |
| Millville / GP Spain | Rattray/Wilson/Baggett | Roczen |
| Washougal / GP Sweden | Baggett/Rattray/Wilson | Roczen/Herlings |
| Unadilla / GP Germany | Wilson/Baggett | Roczen |
| Southwick / GP Latvia | Rattray/Wilson | Roczen/Herlings |
| Steel City / GP Belgium | Wilson | Herlings/Roczen |
| None / GP Czech Republic | Roczen/Herlings | |
| None / GP Great Britain | Roczen | |
| None / GP Europe | Roczen/Herlings |
Just to add a little more fuel to the fire, remember Ken Roczen will be coming to the states full-time next season to join former two-time MX2 champion Marvin Musquin on the Red Bull KTM team. It looks like the dominant forces from the U.S. and from Europe may collide in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship next summer!
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CAN'T WAIT TO SEE ROCZEN BATTLE WITH WILSON NEXT SUMMER!
This could be a great season. I am booking my hotel at Hangtown early!!!!
Roczen and Cairoli on 2 Strokes this weekend in Fermo Italy
See Roczens 125cc: http://yfrog.com/mf7q2xj
How cool is that?
That 125 is super cool.They'll get smoked.
Of couse we dont know but I have a feeling Roczen may just do some really amazing stuff in the next few years. Yes I am an American and want us to win everything. the only thing that can happen is our sport will get better and more coverage. With that said....
GO TEAM USA!!!!!!
Now that pic of his 2 stroke got me a going is it a 144cc?? what is the 2 stroke limit in the so called 250 class in the GP's ?? Going to be vedddy intervesting to see whot hoppens??????
I'd like to know if that bike is a 144 also. Cant wait to see how he does with the 2 stroke. Wish we would see more of that in the AMA.
Roczen will be the next GOAT. yes i said it.. again.
If Ken Roczen makes the full court press to race SX/MX long term here, I think he will do quite well. He is young and still at that learning stage in his career. This isn't to disrespect the riders that come from abroad to race here, but he has the skills that will translate to being successful here. Most riders from elsewhere (with the exception of Reed) are primarly outdoor riders and struggle w/ SX. I think within a year or two, Roczen will have SX down cold and do well. Now w/ the PC Kawasaki vs. Red Bull Teka KTM debate...both teams are very successful & very well organized but I have to lean towards PC Kawasaki; Mitch Payton has been exceptional as a team owner and his success long-term has spoken for itself. In due time, I'm sure that the Red Bull Teka KTM will be successful but I don't think it'll have the record that PC Kawasaki has. Most teams including the factory ones haven't had the success that PC Kawasaki has and that speaks volumes on Mitch's foresight and vision.
What a very nice looking bike, I hope K Roc rips on that thing! It would be nice to see some video footage on how he does on it. Adding another OEM into the 250 class will up the ante for sure. I too think it will take a long time to break PC's records. By 2013, KTM will have Musquin, Roczen, and Herlings over here to make another powerhouse.
KTM has had success in the GP's for years. They are well funded and have the off road / woods market cornered. If you don't think they do it here in America you are wrong. The Jap bikes are very good and great funding but you better watch your back because KTM is coming to American MX.
Most people seem to forget that the two stroke platform makes:
More power per CC.
More power per LB.
More torque per CC/LB.
They are WAY lighter.
They handle WAY better.
They are cheaper and easier to maintain.
They require much less frequent maintainance.
They cost quite a bit less to buy.
They sound WAY better.
They are generally WAY more fun to ride. Throw a leg over a 125 and try wiping the grin off your face. You will be really dissapointed the next time you ride your tractor around the track..
That being said, four strokes have way smoother power delivery, and much more BOTTOM end torque, which obviously helps because its easier to lug around. They are also easier to go fast on, because they're harder to make mistakes on. With two strokes, if you make a mistake and drop the revs out of the meat in the power band, it will be harder to recover from it..
But K-Roc is a boss. Kid flat out hauls ass. If theres anyone who could prove that two strokes are the way to go, it's him. And i'm deffinately not counting Tony out on a 250. I think we might see something this weekend that we havn't seen in a long, long time.
/rant.
Pro Circuit will eat Teka for lunch and then the Geico Honda team for dessert.
Good looking KTM.
I sure miss side number plates where you can actually read the number.
2-Strokes forever!
Unfortunately we will not see Cairoli in Italia this week end, I have read that his mother passed away today.
Horrible news. RIP Mrs. Cairoli.
As for the KTM--Monster debate, Can't wait!!!! Bring it on!!!
We all love great racing and it looks like KTM may have something for the Monster Squad next year. Gonna be fun!!! Roger D knows something. Still dying to know if Dungey jumps ship next year. We will soon know the truth.