Roczen to Race 350 at Daytona
Monday, March 4, 2013 | 8:55 PM
Share
Comment
Email
Print
Murrieta, CA – Red Bull KTM Factory rider Ken Roczen announced today that he will race the 450SX class at round 10 of the AMA Supercross Series this weekend at Daytona International Speedway.
Roczen, the current point leader in the West 250SX Supercross class, is excited to return to the series in the big bike class. Having raced select 450SX class events last year, Roczen is looking forward to returning to the class for only this event for the 2013 season.
The young German rider will again race aboard the KTM 350 SX-F; a bike he feels is suitable to his size and capable of landing on the podium. “I really like to race the 350, it is fun to race against the other riders that I don’t get a chance to compete with regularly. I feel it helps my training and I like the Daytona race. I’m excited to race the 350 SX-F again and it is something I look forward to each year,” stated Roczen.
Roczen, the current point leader in the West 250SX Supercross class, is excited to return to the series in the big bike class. Having raced select 450SX class events last year, Roczen is looking forward to returning to the class for only this event for the 2013 season.
The young German rider will again race aboard the KTM 350 SX-F; a bike he feels is suitable to his size and capable of landing on the podium. “I really like to race the 350, it is fun to race against the other riders that I don’t get a chance to compete with regularly. I feel it helps my training and I like the Daytona race. I’m excited to race the 350 SX-F again and it is something I look forward to each year,” stated Roczen.
Did you like this article?
Check out LONE STAR RISING
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
The James Stewart Freestone AMA Spring Classic in Texas has quickly earned a place on the list of must-attend springtime amateur events. Page 182.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
holy shit balls
1 -2 in the 250 West lining up with the big boys out East. That must be a first.
Great news 2 have another playa in the mix. Eye don't know what the record is but with 5 winners this year already RV STEW SAPS DUNGE BAM BAM could B a couple'a more REED TMAC CANARD & now KROC . ???
Sweet! That makes 9 guys by my rough count that are very possible podium threats and possibly threats to win. Wow, next I half expect to see that Carmichael has decided to come out of retirement for Daytona!
Smooker...duh, I read your post and counted to 9, LOL, you named em. Shoulda read your post first! Bring on Daytona!
Ramair350- Gold comment!! Bahhaha!!
This weekend will be EPIC!!! :-) Go Reedy!!
Ramair350- Gold comment!! Bahhaha!!
This weekend will be EPIC!!! :-) Go Reedy!!
I'm all for the best guys all lining up on one gate but he should not be allowed to do this along with Tomac or anyone else. If you are racing in one of the 250 championships you shouldn't be allowed to race in the 450. It not only messes with the championship but it really screws the back pack 450 guys that are struggling to make mains week in and week out but stay committed to the class.
Scoring points in the 450 class should make you ineligible for the 250. The 250 is a (phony) support class, remember? That's why they split the coasts. But I'm going to use this small rant to yet again plug the need for 1 professional class. Fewer classes, more racing.
Even if I am excited to see Kroc on the 350 I fully agree with you 731Chopper, these 250 top riders show up with factory bike against private riders who try to make it happen...not fair when you see how much it cost them to be there and whithout these privates there are no series.
Bring it Kroc ...the top 5 ain't playin.....maybe knock somebody down that's in the hunt ..great idea.
Ought to be interesting! Especially if he beats the no. 5.
Love the classes the way they are! Like most years they've been at least as entertaining as the 450 class. Why ruin a good thing?
I'm sure Kenny is wanting a podium or better at Daytona. Hope he gets it!
KR a contender in the 450 class? OK .... Could be wrong, but just do not see it ....
@ramair350, Axelmoto70 and Uncle Charlie Iowa City.
Read Smookers post again, you dumbasses.
He said there have been 5 WINNERS so far this season and goes on to name them. Then he says there could be a few more before the year is out, and then names another 4, so, 9 in total.
What part of that do you have a problem with, morons? Yeah, he could have gone to school to learn how to write properly, but even so, ain't nothin wrong with what he says.
I thought RdeC was a smart cookie. What happens if KRoc gets hurt? Don't have to be his fault, but they can kiss the west coast title goodbye if it happens. Of course, he's got the speed to win (yeah, you read that right), but is it worth the risk? Don't think so.
okay guys, what is going on with the academy, Argo won best picture and no nominee for Aflekk. Seriously,
Who gives a sh1t, seriously?
@kilroy That would be something if the 25 beats the 5 on his own turf with a smaller bike, interesting point. Things were different at the mxdn.
YES - WHY do they allow a 250 to just line up, take away a slot of the lower ranking riders, WHY dont the top 450 guys race the 250 class and then they can take away a spot from Mitch Payton. I don't think this would fly !
I just can't believe the thoughts some people have. They should prevent 250 riders from entering the 450 class so that backmarkers can make the program?
In other words, appease the guys that are not so good by not allowing better competition to race. Newsflash, next year you will have Tomac AND Dean Wilson in the 450 class full time....who knows who else. Right now more than 40 guys try to qualify each week as they only take the top 40 into the night program and they continue to try even though almost all of them never make the main. There was a time when SX couldn't field full gates for the heat races, so let's be happy that there is so much good competition.....not try to stifle it.
Too bad J-Law wasnt in better shape yet, we all know what he can do at Daytona.
@pippidekok - thanks for calling me a dumbass and moron. Really intelligent. If you had read my posts you would see I was complimenting smoooker and laughing at myself for coming up with the same number he did. I guess they must not have the computers locked down for Internet access from the elementary school you attend. Go sit in the corner if you can't play nice.
Ronniebarn.... Yes, we know J-law can cut the first turn out completely.
Interesting indeed..But hey go for it..... Considering KRoq has a chance to win his first title here in the states, is the risk worth the reward......Also, as mentioned above if he is in podium contention (which is possible but not likely) and RD5 is behind....will team tactics come into play.... Daytona is a track that suits the Dunge, but last week again we saw him not make any passes (except on the red flag) and going by Alessi isnt really a "pass" ..... Dungey was behind Reed the entire race....I think Kroq will be fast as usual, but bangin bars with the big boys in Daytona could be a mistake.....
hahaha... J-law cutting the first turn. 2009 was that??? 4 years ago..that was remarkable skill cutting the first turn like that......Amazing he didnt get penalized....He rode good out front that night with a wide open track - but had he not cut the track, top 10 maybe...oh well....he isnt on the line, nor should he be..
I would like to see Herlings at this race.I think it is interesting to see Roczen on the 350 but I think he will get smoked.
@pippidekok--Shut up please, if you cant read and comprehend then stay in Europe and shut up.. As soon as ypou post you insult and contribute nothing.. Go away..
Its great to see Roczen jump up to the big boy class.. I wonder how many people will say he has a chance to win or he will shake up the points just like they did for Tomac?? When I said he has a steep learning curve I was told I was nuts, or didnt know anything.. Then Tomac said he was shocked at how hard it was to go those extra 5 laps with a much bigger bike.. I feel Roczen will experience the same thing.. He will top 10 probably, but I dont see him hitting the podium.. But you never know I guess, stranger things have happened..
I think KRoc can shake things up. I don't see him on the podium but a top 5 is possible. He is a consistent starter, better than ET in that regard, and we've seen how important starts are this season. The 350 has plenty of power. I think Alessi holeshotted on it.
@ramair350. Jeez dude, my most sincere apologies. Now that you have explained what you wrote, I see I misunderstood you terribly. Can you forgive me? Do you want money? LOL.
BTW, my old man had a Suzuki 350 ramair. He bought it around 68 or 69 I think. He used to get pissed when he came home from work and the motor was still hot from me and my brother blasting the thing up and down the road outside our house. LOL.
I wonder where that bike is today. Awesome it was.
@therealmofo Suck it dude.
B-KR,I'm not trying to stifle the competition as I want nothing more than all of the fastest guys on one gate (1 pro class). I am, however, trying to encourage the top talent and their teams to move up quicker to the 450 class. The support class should NOT have factory teams and if you can run the 450 top 10 pace you should NOT be racing the 250 class.
But I guess we allow it because it is the truth of motocross. How many times have you been at a local race where the B and A class are double gated and then have half the B class in front at the end of the race?
"Risk vs Reward"...The only Reward for Ken Roczen to race Daytona is that the race will keep his racing skills sharp for when the series comes back to the Left Coast to complete the Championship series. Key Word: "Championship"
Risk; Why jeopardize all you have worked this entire 2013 season that put you into first place in the standings to win the Championship, and have someone take you out in the first corner with an injury, that's removes all possibilities of your number one goal in winning the Championship.
And, I can empathize with some of the 450 contenders who's gate placement a Tomac or Roczen just took from you. Throws wrenches into works that shouldn't have places for wrenches to be thrown. Just my opinion, but it make no sense to me.
KR has some serious cojones!
I guess he won't make a step on the podium with all these star riders at the gate. Probably it will be JS leading in early stages of the race.
Hoping that CR will show his true self again and we would have a 3-way battle with JS, RV & CR. :D With JS en CR going at it. Would make some great racing.
Who doesn't love Daytona???? :D
I guess he won't make a step on the podium with all these star riders at the gate. Probably it will be JS leading in early stages of the race.
Hoping that CR will show his true self again and we would have a 3-way battle with JS, RV & CR. :D With JS en CR going at it. Would make some great racing.
Who doesn't love Daytona???? :D
I guess he won't make a step on the podium with all these star riders at the gate. Probably it will be JS leading in early stages of the race.
Hoping that CR will show his true self again and we would have a 3-way battle with JS, RV & CR. :D With JS en CR going at it. Would make some great racing.
Who doesn't love Daytona???? :D