Glendale Supercross Report: Roczen Triumphs Amidst Challenges
Glendale, AZ – In a night marked by highs and lows, Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen emerged victorious at the Glendale Supercross, highlighting his resilience amid team adversity. Roczen dominated the Main Event, overcoming Hunter Lawrence early on to secure his 24th career 450SX win. This result positions him just five points behind Lawrence in the championship standings, intensifying the battle for the title.
The victory was bittersweet; it came shortly after the team revealed that manager Larry Brooks has been diagnosed with stage two colon cancer. Roczen dedicated his win to Brooks, emphasizing his critical support as a mentor. “This one’s for you, Larry,” Roczen stated on the podium, reaffirming his commitment to continue pushing for success in Brooks’ absence.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Chase Sexton, however, faced a challenging evening. After qualifying fifth, he struggled during the main event, starting from 13th and finishing 7th—a stark contrast to his recent A2 win. Notably, Sexton’s best lap was only the 10th fastest of the night. Although he remains 17 points off the championship lead, concern is growing with just one podium finish in five races. Sexton remarked post-race, “Rode the best I could last night… frustrating to be where I was. See ya in Seattle!” indicating his determination to rebound.
In the 250SX class, Haiden Deegan continued his impressive streak with a fourth consecutive win, a feat last achieved by Hunter Lawrence in 2023. Deegan’s recent improvements, especially in starts and navigating tricky sections, have solidified his status as a formidable contender. His playful rivalry with Levi Kitchen continues, with Deegan’s antics adding to the competitive atmosphere.
As the season progresses, both Roczen and Deegan are solidifying their championship credentials while Sexton seeks vital improvements ahead of the next round in Seattle.
