Cycle News

Cycle News 2014 Issue 01 January 7 2014

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

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VOL. 51 ISSUE 1 JANUARY 7, 2014 Ken Roczen, the first European to win an AMA Supercross since David Vuillemin in 2002, celebrates his A1 victory. nine, Roczen took control of the race, holding on to take his firstever 450-class main event win. "It's insane, I literally can't believe it. I never expected it," says Roczen. "What a great race. I was holding on really tight and in the end I just got the job done. I dedicate this race to my dad. I didn't know he was coming, because we were fighting, we haven't talked for a long time, but he just showed up." The win topped off an amazing weekend for KTM, with Roczen's teammate Ryan Dungey finishing second and Rockstar Energy Racing-backed KTM rider Jason Anderson taking the win in the 250 class. "For KTM it was an insane day, it couldn't have been better," says Roczen. Villopoto was on form, for sure, and though he was slowly pulling away in the main, Roczen felt he was able to compete straight up with Villopoto. "I feel like Ryan gained on me on half of the track, but then I would gain on him in other places, so we just kind of kept the same gap," said Roczen. "I would say Ryan is still a bit faster, but it just worked out for me today. I was bummed for Ryan when he went down, but I just focused on myself and tried to keep it on two wheels. "It was so early in the race when Ryan went down that my mind was empty, basically. I wasn't thinking that was the race; it was too early for that. But after 10 laps the race started getting pretty long." And James Stewart started catching him. "I could hear him coming and I just tried to relax myself, and even if he had passed me I wouldn't have given up," said Roczen. "I just didn't want to make any mistake, the track was really tricky, it was rough and it got really slippery in the corners. I was focusing so much on myself and I was holding on tight but I kept on reminding myself to just relax." With four laps to go, Stewart went down and Roczen was able to relax and ride to the finish. A few weeks before A1, Roczen wasn't even sure he would be lining up on the gate, after he fell during practice and thought he had broken his arm. It turned out the injury wasn't as bad as first feared and was ready to go by race day. Even though the German has a couple of 450 races under his belt, this is considered his rookie season in the class, but he says the 450 suits his style. "I think I will do better on the 450," says Roczen. "I really like the power, I think I can deal with it good, and I've always liked the bigger engines, so I'm all about it. I think I'm the kind of rider that uses the power; I'm really smooth, so I didn't have to change my style at all. I felt comfortable right away." P57 Not only is Roczen dealing with a bigger bike, but also with tougher competition. "It's a huge step, moving to the 450s," says Roczen. "I think the biggest part is the bike. Just because you can ride a 250 well doesn't mean you can ride a 450 well. All of the guys in the 450 class have a lot of experience and are tough competitors, so it's a huge jump." During the weekends, Roczen and Villopoto are fierce rivals on the track, but during the week, they actually train together in Florida, along with Pro Circuit future star Adam Cianciarulo. "It's great down there, Florida is insane when it comes to training and there's no traffic down there, so I love it," says Roczen. "We have a good group and we have fun together and it takes our mind off the training a little bit and makes things a little easier." Like Villopoto, Roczen utilizes trainer Aldon Baker, and Roczen credits Baker for part of his success. "He's just a different style, and with all of us together, me and Ryan, we all push each other and get a lot out of it." While in Florida, Roczen is actually staying at snowboarder Rusty Malinoski's house, who is also a Fox-sponsored athlete. According to Roczen, some of the bicycle rides get pretty competitive. "We are very intense," says Roczen. "We are helping each other but it gets intense." CN

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