Ken Roczen made it two in a row and five on the season after putting together an almost perfect performance and winning Saturday night’s Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship, at MetLife Stadium.
While the rider of the #94 Soaring Eagle/Jimmy John’s Suzuki RM-Z450 was forced to officially concede the 2016 Supercross title to Ryan Dungey with one race left in the season, Roczen won the holeshot, lead every lap and picked up his eighth career win.
Meanwhile, the win marked the seventh premiere class points-paying victory for the team co-owned by Carey Hart and Ricky Carmichael.
“We grabbed the holeshot and never looked back,” commented Roczen following Round 16. “I felt great out there. We were as consistent and you could possibly be out there, in my eyes. We didn’t make any mistakes and had an awesome night. It’s exactly what we were shooting for. Now we have to keep the ball rolling. We got the job done. We got a heat race win and then a main event win so I would say that’s almost a perfect night. I think that’s the first time I’ve gone back-to-back so hopefully another one next week and make it three in a row.”
Roczen’s RCH team-mates Jake Weimer and Broc Tickle earned their respective trips to the main event via the first and second 450SX semi finals of the night. Weimer snagged the holeshot and finished second the first semi while Tickle finished fourth in the second.
In just his third race back after an extended break while recovering a wrist injury, Tickle raced with the leaders early and went on to turn in a hard fought 13th-place showing.
“It was an improvement from last week,” explained Tickle. “I got a better start in the main than I did the last couple of weekends. I was in the mix there with those guys but if I could’ve been just a little better this week, it would have been a really good night. I felt better on the bike and more comfortable riding in the pack. I just need a little more intensity and speed throughout the race and I’ll have a good result. I just need keep building. I’m not too pumped about finishing 13th but it’s a step in the right direction.”
Weimer’s performance in his semi was the highlight of the Rupert, Idaho native’s night. Unfortunately, the solid showing in the semi didn’t translate to the main event.
“The semi was definitely the positive of the night,” said Weimer. “I got the holeshot and led a few laps so that’s always good. I’m a little disappointed with the way the night turned out because I felt like the semi was a decent ride and I could build on that but it just didn’t work out.”
RCH Team Manager Kyle Bentley was pleased with his team’s showing in the shadow of New York City and expects to close out the season strong in this weekend’s season finale at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.
“It was a good night,” stated Bentley. “Two wins in a row. That’s awesome for the team. I’m super stoked for Ken. It was another dominating night for him. He won by over 19 seconds so that’s pretty impressive. It’s a little bittersweet. We lost the championship but we have momentum. We’re looking forward to Vegas, trying the get the final win of the Supercross season and carry that into outdoors. We’ll see if we can’t come away with the championship out there.
“Broc had a great start from the outside so I was really happy with that. He ran up front a little bit but he’s still trying to get back in the swing of things. We’re pumped with where he’s at, given the injury early in the season. Jake is still a little beat up from Foxboro but he got the holeshot in his semi and almost won so that was a net positive for him. Everyone is healthy so we’ll go to Vegas this weekend and try to finish out the Supercross season on a high note.”
The curtain rings down on the 2016 season this weekend in Las Vegas where Round 17 of Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship, will be televised live on FS2 Saturday, May 7 beginning at 10pm Eastern Daylight Time, 7pm Pacific.
450SX Class Results
- Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki
- Cole Seely, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Honda
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
- Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., KTM
- Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna
- Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM
- Trey Canard, Edmond, Okla., Honda
- Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha
- Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda
450SX Class Championship Standings
- Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 366
- Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki – 330
- Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.M., Husqvarna – 293
- Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki – 270
- Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha – 232
- Marvin Musquin, Corona, Calif., KTM – 213
- Cole Seely, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Honda – 207
- Justin Brayton, Mint Hill, N.C., KTM – 186
- Trey Canard, Edmond, Okla., Honda – 183
- Weston Peick, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha – 125
