Ken Roczen (Suzuki) reveals his plans for the rest of the season in England

In 2011, Ken Roczen became the youngest Motocross World Champion in the sport’s history, and this year he achieved the feat of becoming the oldest champion in the history of the AMA Supercross Championships at the age of 32. It is as yet unclear whether the German, who lives in the US and holds an American passport, will continue his career next year following his victory in the AMA Supercross title.

Das Adventure Bike Rider Festival in Alcester

Foto: copyright free

Ken Roczen’s unexpected visit to England

As things stand, it is rather unlikely that he will take part in any US National races this year. He confirmed this last weekend at the Adventure Bike Rider Festival in Alcester (England), where he turned up suddenly and unexpectedly at the invitation of the Suzuki SR75 team and clearly had a lot of fun.

First tour together with Courtney

Roczen’s American wife Courtney was also there and went on her first motorbike tour with Ken. “I actually got to ride with her for the very first time,” said Ken. “I was so happy to see that she was enjoying it and really riding. It made my heart smile,” commented Ken on their adventure ride together in England.

Suzuki adventure bikes on the ABR

In England, Ken rode various Suzuki adventure bikes, including the Suzuki DR-Z4S and cross bikes based on the RM Z450, the bike on which ‘Kickstart Kenny’ won the US Supercross Championships. The Adventure Bike Rider Festival is a sort of Woodstock for off-road enthusiasts: the focus is purely on the joy of sharing a common hobby.

Ken Roczen beim Adventure Bike Rider Festival in Alcester

Foto: Suzuki

Plans for the second half of the year:

“Last week I got back on the 450cc MX bike for the first time, and two weeks before that I had a go on the 250cc two-stroke. That’s about it. After Salt Lake City [Note: the season finale of the US Supercross Championships], I took some time out. But I still managed to do plenty of things. We were in California with my team and went on an adventure tour in Oakhurst, south of Yosemite National Park. Then I went to the Formula 1 race in Canada and we went to a few concerts. I wasn’t at home for even five days.”

No US Nationals expected this year

Although Ken Roczen specialises in Supercross, in recent years he has taken part in selected races in the AMA Pro Motocross Series (US Nationals) to get back into the racing rhythm ahead of the playoffs. “As things stand, I won’t be doing that this year, because I’ll just end up putting pressure on myself again. I don’t want to turn up there and get left behind either,” explained the Thuringian. “You have to prepare differently for motocross than for Supercross. When I get out on a motocross track now, I feel rather slow. Of course, the feeling comes back quickly enough, but even if I’m only doing one race, I want to prepare properly so I can do reasonably well. But it’s still possible that I might change my mind after all. I don’t know for sure yet.”

Confirmed dates

The SMX Playoffs will take place on 12 September in Columbus (Ohio), on 19 September in Los Angeles (California) and on 26 September 2026 in Ridgedale (Missouri), in which Ken Roczen intends to take part as things stand. Ken Roczen’s participation in the AUSX in Geelong (Australia) on 7 November and the Paris Supercross (21–22 November) is confirmed. It is currently still uncertain whether Ken Roczen will compete for the German team at the Motocross of Nations in Ernée on 4 October. What is certain, however, is that it is not only German fans who would be delighted to see him compete in Ernée, if only to celebrate his historic success alongside him.