Roczen Dominates in Glendale to Solidify Championship Bid
Ken Roczen delivered a stunning performance at the Glendale round of the 2026 Monster Energy Supercross Championship, asserting his status as a title contender with his fourth podium in five races. Following a rough outing at Anaheim 2, where he experienced a bad start and subsequent crash, Roczen rebounded to secure victory, placing him second in the overall points standings.
Starting from third position, Roczen quickly maneuvered past Hunter Lawrence, taking the lead within the first few laps. Key to his success was a strategically-prepared inside rut in the sand section, developed during the parade lap. Roczen explained the significance of the maneuver: “I made sure in the parade lap that I kind of shaped that rut as good as I could… when you land where you want to land you can make that whole turn one motion.”
Once in front, Roczen maintained a comfortable lead, fending off challenges while competitors like Eli Tomac and Chase Sexton faced difficulties behind him. The result marked Roczen’s 24th career win in the 450SX class.
In the post-race press conference, Roczen reflected on the win’s significance: “Since it is becoming more rare for me to win… they just get sweeter and sweeter… I was trying to find my feet… but I knew that I was in for a long main.” This victory underscores Roczen’s impressive adaptation to his Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki, highlighting his growing comfort with the bike since his switch to the team in 2023.
As the championship unfolds, Roczen’s consistent performance positions him as a formidable force as the season progresses.
