Going for the W: Ken Roczen
Thursday, August 16, 2012 | 3:10 PM
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PrintI've been hanging out in my home land of New Jersey this week, staying in the North Eastern vibe between Southwick and Unadilla. And, of course, no song speaks to me more than Bon Jovi's 2006 hit "Who Says You Can't Go Home," which the band donated to the state of New Jersey for free to use in tourism adds. Yeah, Jovi never forgets their roots!
(BTW, most of the Racer X staff is already road tripping up to Unadilla today so no one is editing my stories. I have the lock and key so I'm writing whatever the heck I want, as you've already noticed. I also want to mention that Bon Jovi recorded a country version of that song with some hottie who does that kind of music. Not really important, though, because Bon Jovi will forever overshadow anyone in their path.)
Where was I?
Oh yes, who says you can't go home? Ken Roczen did during the two-weekend break between Washougal and Southwick, visiting friends and family and even doing some racing in Germany. He returned to the U.S. with a little extra spring in his step. After scoring overall podiums at the first five races of the season, Roczen went podium-less at the next three, and ended Washougal looking pretty down in the dumps. Some time back with his buddies in Germany seemed to help.
"I went back home after Washougal," says the 18-year-old. "I got back there and was just hanging out. I did a round of the German Championships on a 450 against [Max] Nagl and [Xavier] Boog. I did well, I went 1-1 and had like a a 12-second gap in each moto. And actually, Nagl did good at the last GP so I was pretty happy with my speed. After that I went to Belgium for a few days to train, but other than that, I just hung out with friends a lot."
And that's the real key. Roczen is still young, and I've heard several people say he generates results when he has a balance of hard work and fun in his life. Some riders can robotically churn out motos at home (Ryan Dungey) but others say the moment it starts feeling like work, their results tank. Witness Dean Wilson last season, relaxing, putting fun back into his program, and then waxing the field at the last few nationals. Could Roczen be turning a similar corner?
"Actually, I have to say I was wanting to stay at home a little longer," he sys. "It was good, my friends at home, they didn't have to work during that time, so we got to hang out a lot. It was good to get back."
Okay, at Southwick, Roczen went 4-2 and finished third overall, so the trip home didn't suddenly shock his system into a 1-1. Roczen has now generated a dubious stat, where he has led the second-most amount of laps of anyone in the 250 class (more, even, than points leader Blake Baggett) but yet doesn't have a single moto win to show for it.
Roczen appeared rejuvinated at Southwick. Before the race, at least. After the motos, everyone look whipped. But although tired, Roczen still looked happy with his performance.
Carl Stone photo
But this weekend, cooler temps and a GP-like circuit await, and that could be the final boost K-Roc needs. What does he think? "I haven't actually seen a bit of the track, and that's kind of my fault, I should have looked at it earlier so I could get some ideas," he says.
Well, hey, he could have done more homework, but sometimes these kids do better when they take things a little less lightly. We'll see if that works for Roczen this weekend.
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Someday he will put it all together.
I know it is a lot easier to have fun when you are winning
Hopefully Kenny can make things work out for himself this weekend. It's the second half of the moto that Ken needs to dig deep inside.
It must be pretty eye opening to have such incredible success in the GPs and earning a world title, no doubt feeling like the king of the world, and then moving over here to the big time and fighting harder than ever just to stay near the podium.
I'm not saying anything bad about Roczen, he's awesome, I'm more just amazed with the level of racing over here. It's something to be proud of.
Just dont see it from Roczen yet. I'm thinking Musquin beats him for 3rd overall. Kenny 4th.................?
Spotted that looks like me on the thrown!
250's: Blazin Blake has almost a full moto lead with 6 motos to go, he can pick and choose his spots from here on out. As long as he stays out of trouble, avoids a DNF and in the top 5, he will be looking good for the title. The Geico boys will be battling it out in an effort to gain ground on Bagget and be the top dog in the rig. The Ero Duo have heard all week how this is the track most like what they are use to, so both of them will be expecting good results. The next group of riders want to prove that they can be next years guy, so Bogle, Wharton, Martin, Anderson, Nelson and the rookie Bell will all be very aggressive and hard to pass. Having said all this here are my picks for Saturday..Barcia and Tomac to split moto wins Roczen and Musquin to each have a podium moto with Bagget being consistant and smart. The overall Barcia - Baggett -Tomac -Musquin -Roczen.
450's: Dungey will be looking to sew this thing up and will be on a mission. Alessi would like to show he is better than he road last week, coarse most of the 450 class has some thing to prove after last week. Brayton, Hahn, and Short all feel they are the best Honda rider and only one of them has a ride next year. Milsaps already has a ride for next year, but will try and make JGR look good these last few rounds, as they have been real good to him the last couple years. My crystal ball sees the over all this way Dungey - Alessi - Brayton - Milsaps - Short for the top five.
All Blake needs to do is finish behind Barcia in the next 6 motos to wrap up the title plus stay in fifth or better.
"This is K-Roc's race to win".
I have it on good authority (directly from euromoke) that there is a conspiracy to hold Roczen back in the nationals.
Roger DeCoster, a well-known euro-hater, is not giving him the "A-team" ignition maps for his factory 250SX-F. This is intolerable to me and I will actively protest this policy until DeCoster is forced to wear a stars and stripes cowboy hat at the Elsinore round and sing "I'm a yankee doodle dandy".
Carlsbad,
I hope you are being sarcastic? If not you must be smoking to much of that wacky tabacky?? :-)
Why would RD bring K-Roc over to the states and hold him back?? RD's job is to win championships and promote KTM.
@Carlsbad, you are exactly right. K-Roc's a good kid and this could finally be his weekend.
Dam ! I heard that Hahn broke his back today....... @ the track ...................That guy is like Kinard hurt all the time! Good luck on the recovery
My prediction; this is Motocross, not dancing with the scars. Therefore there is no way in hell I would I have a clue as to the outcome. I predict excitement beyond comprehension for every event, and I haven't missed yet.
Unfortunately I don't have the benefit of the crystal balls you guys must have in your possession. I have enough difficulty predicting the weather.
Ha!
What happed to EuroMike? Would like to hear his take on Kennys season.
I hope KR gets one before the end of the year. I think he understands now he is going to have to step up his training next year to run all moto with Tomac and Baggett robots. Train, eat, sleep, train, ride. Take some of those holidays in Florida and south Texas.
http://www.motoxaddicts.com/2012/08/16/tommy-hahn-injured/
@ caseypons Its your weather man ! Hey Whats up !
@ rene-rampa-loosenuts,
I picture you in your basement with the lights all dimmed out crouched tightly over your keyboard with a poster of kroc with ripped out letters spelling things all over as your mom call you up for dinner. Am i close?
haha I am close!
KRoc is a great rider but...............
The only way he beats Bagget - Tomac or Barcia
is crashes or they go into points protection mode
Past that I hope Musquim (9- 6-5- 5- 5 -4 -7 -4 - 4)
gets his podium and kicks # 70 a**
JimM
Pala374
Bon Jovi is rocks KROC...........
Great band and all but the best ?
Jason you sound like EuroMke with your Homie blinders on
JimM
Tommy Hahn@Thahn32
I got airlifted from @His956Facility in Texas people. Where is unadilla coming from? So far-dislocated shoulder and broken T-3.
Certainly would like some footage Roczen on a 450.
T Hahn healthy, one of my favorite riders to watch ride, but UNABLE to stay healthy which sucks.
Dungey has fun....if he wins. RV hasnt looked like he has any fun in years, if ever. He's said as much, its a job. He doesnt plan for a long career either. I dont know what effect "fun" has on winning other than the length of your career. Just ask Kdub. Learn to love training, and find joy in your work.
caseypons .. You are so correct, it will be excitement beyond belief and you are very wise to stop there and not be one of those, trying to foresee the future results. No one ever knows what is going to happen in this sport, far to many variables. This is not a good spot to be a prognosticator. Not even weather forecasters, who continue to draw a pay check and be revered when they are incorrect 1/2 of the time, are crazy enough to venture a guess, when it comes to motocross. Your odds of picking the winning the lottery numbers are better than trying to figure out the outcome of a motocross race, especially in the unpredictable 250 class...
So why do some of us attempt to gaze into the future and predict the outcome of the worlds most exciting sport??? In my case, as you can tell, by the amount of post I put on here, I am very knowledgeable on the sport of motocross and gifted with a sixth sense about these type of things OR I am just an old man, who enjoys all things moto, that has entirely to much time on his hands, do to the drought here in the mid west, who spends that time on the RacerX online web site....I will let you decide which one I am, but please, wait until saturday night after the races to make you decision....It might surprise us both!!!!
Mr.Mx told me that he saw stewie this week and its a done deal in secret.
Stewie goes 1-1 for overall Dungey 2nd Ma 8oo 3rd
George... If Mr Mx told you some thing you can take that to the bank..Might I add it looks like the Rogain baths have been helping you maintain your body rug!!
HA HA Great eye for detail