Ken Roczen Returns to Competition at Unadilla National
Unadilla, NY – Ken Roczen made his anticipated return to the AMA Pro Motocross Championship on Saturday, competing at the Unadilla National. Following an injury-plagued Monster Energy AMA Supercross season, which culminated in surgery, Roczen aims to prepare for the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) Playoffs commencing September 6 in North Carolina.
In his season debut, Roczen showcased resilience with a fifth-place finish in the first moto. He maintained competitive pace before encountering physical limitations in the second moto, where he was forced to retire on the 12th lap, ultimately placing 13th overall with a score of 5-38.
“Overall, it was a pretty decent weekend,” Roczen reflected in an Instagram post. He noted, “Nothing replaces actual seat time,” emphasizing the challenge of returning to form after extended absence. Roczen was pleased with his performance in the first moto but admitted to lacking speed in certain sections. “The outdoor eyes gotta come back,” he stated.
Details emerged regarding challenges in the second moto, where Roczen experienced severe cramping and respiratory discomfort, leading to his early exit. “I ended up going back to the rig and called it a day,” he said about his decision.
As Roczen continues to build towards the SMX Playoffs, his performance at Unadilla serves as both a test of endurance and a crucial step in reclaiming his competitive edge in motocross racing.
