ANAHEIM, Californai – Red Bull KTM Factory rider Ken Roczen earned 2nd overall at the opening round of the Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship Series. Roczen impressed the sold out crowd with a great performance to earn his first podium of the season.
Ken Roczen turned heads early in the day after setting a blistering pace in the first practice. In the following two timed practice sessions he turned the second fastest lap time and was looking forward to the night show.
Roczen got a great jump off the start of the first 250 Supercross heat and was sitting in 2nd place after the first corner. Within a half of a lap, Roczen had passed Jessy Nelson to take over the lead. Roczen never looked back and went on to lead the remaining laps and take his first heat win of the season.
In the main event, Roczen again put himself in great position sitting in 3rd place after avoiding a huge pile up in the first rhythm section. In the first few corners, Roczen was able to make a pass on Malcolm Stewart to take over 2nd position. Early in the race Roczen cased a jump and jammed his wrist. After that he reported that he focused on maintaining his position. He was able to continue a consistent pace and held on through the fifteen lap main event to earn 2nd overall.
After the race, Roczen commented: “You can’t win the championship at the first race, but you can lose it. I am glad that I was able to finish on the podium and put my team in good position for the championship.”
Next Round: Phoenix, AZ – January 12, 2013
Overall Results 250 SX Class Anaheim 1
1. Eli Tomac (USA), Honda, 14:20.647 min (15 laps)
2. Ken Roczen (D), KTM, +6.444 sec
3. Cole Seely (USA), Honda, +11.553
4. Jason Anderson (USA), Suzuki, +19.684
5. Malcolm Stewart (USA), KTM, +24.068
Other KTM
13. Joey Savatgy (USA), KTM, +41.456
Standings 250 SX Class after 1 of 8 rounds
1. Tomac, 25 points
2. Roczen, 22
3. Seely, 20
4. Anderson, 18
5. M. Stewart, 16
Other KTM
13. Savatgy, 8
