by Davey Coombs
250 Words: Anaheim 3
Tuesday, February 5, 2013 | 12:50 PM
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PrintYou already know who won the races. Now enjoy 250 Words for an extra take on a story you might have missed.
What a difference an Anaheim makes. Five weeks ago the 250SX West Region kicked off with a tour de force by Eli Tomac of the GEICO Honda team, leading the way throughout almost the entire opening main event. At the second Anaheim, two weeks ago, Tomac led much less, dueling with Red Bull KTM's Ken Roczen and Lucas Oil/Troy Lee Designs Honda's Cole Seely before taking his third straight win. But by the time we reached the third and final Anaheim last Saturday night, Tomac was no longer undefeated, nor was he even the points leader—a couple of crashes at Oakland changed all that. He didn't win the race either.
Now momentum is firmly in the hands of Roczen, the charismatic kid from Germany who looks like he's having more fun out there than anyone. He seized the night when Tomac crashed in Oakland, tracking down Seely and earning his first win of the season and the points leader's red plate. He carried it through Anaheim and chalked up another win. Now he holds a 20-point lead on Tomac with one more race—Saturday night in San Diego—before this region shuts down for two months. That's a lot of time for Tomac to get back on track, but he's got a big hole to dig himself out of if he wants to repeat as West Region #1.
After back-to-back wins, momentum has swung the way of Ken Roczen.
Simon Cudby photo
Is it too early to start looking ahead to the East Region? Not at all. There we’ll see the return of Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Dean Wilson and Darryn Durham—both out for pretty much all of the last summer—and that team's chance at redemption after a mostly dismal showing in the west. We will also see Red Bull KTM's Marvin Musquin trying to match up with what Roczen has done, plus Rockstar Energy's Blake Wharton, GEICO Honda's Wil Hahn and Justin Bogle, rookies Zach Bell, Jeremy Martin, and Justin Hill, the fast-starting Alex Martin on the now-blue Eleven10 Mods team, and a whole bevy of other fast young riders...
The West is not over by any means, but the way Ken Roczen is riding—fast, smart, and aggressive—is going to make it difficult for anyone to catch. If that's the case, we will see a German crowned champion of a U.S. series for the first time since 1973, when the late Adolf Weil won the Trans-AMA title.
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Glad he is happy in the U.S.
This race proves again you need a good start. Too much stuff happens back in the pack even if your faster. Keep up the good starts KR and it's yours.
It isn't over until the checkered flag flies in Vegas.
Weil was my favorite Euro back in the day. The original Iron Man, he just kept coming on, never seeming to tire, on his angular (kinda Panzer-looking) Maicos. They used to say he was in his 40s at the time. Not true, mid-thirties, but still... Loved that guy.
K-Roq looks good - he always does....in the past maybe his inexperience showed through and he made mistakes, but I have not seen too many mistakes made by him as of yet... Although, He is one of those guys that seems to take a good soil sample more often than not....so, he is looking good for a title - but anything can happen as there are 4 more west races to go...or 5?? hell I dunno....
ProCircut and Wilson will own the East! LOL !
I am glad for Kroc, he is looking good. After San Diego it is going to be a long time off, hopefully Ken keeps himself together during that time to finish the season.
I wonder if he will still ride the 350 in the big boy class like was planed. i hope so.
I'm not sure if its fair to Davalos to have his performance added to Rattry's and be called "mostly dismal". Tyla has been completely dismal, and Martin has been up and down. He's had several podiums, even after the highlight-reel-for-the-ages crash he had in the one heat race.
Dungey's quote from Monday's conversation about the shock failing: " Luckily it didn’t put a damper on things like it could have in the main event." Pun intended?
Damn, posted that on the wrong article.
Glad he is doing well.. Alot of Euro's come on here and try to rub it in about Roczen doing well.. But most people here like the guy.. He didnt come here all arrogant, and he definatly didnt win right away.. He even admitted how hard it is to win in the USA... He is humble and has worked hard and is fan friendly, just seems a genuine good kid.. I like Tomac a little more, but I like Kenny too.. Should be real good from here on out..
Holy crap! Did the whole lites class not want to race Tomac or what? That East Coast series is stacked!!!
I agree realmofo, Kroc is not out to show anyone up. He has dreamed about racing in the US since long ago, as he has said in the past. He just wants to have a shot at stardom on the grandest stage of racing the world has to offer. Don't buy into that BS Euromike is putting down, Kroc just wants to compete as a racer against the best there is. At Indy last year we bumped into him as he was wandering the streets downtown taking pictures and jogging. He was very friendly and said he has been trying to take in all the cities on the tour. His parents did a good job, very respectful and hard working kid. American, German whatever just a very nice person. Keep up the good work Mr. Ken Roczen.
Euromike says: K-Roc will win the rest of the 250w, every 450 race he enters on the 350 and we all suck...........and yea hitler.
Just kidding, about everything.......except the hitler part.
All that aside, a KTM sweep of the 250F's would be mind-blowing.
I've been a little hesitant on MM, but it's not out of the realm of possibility.......................unless I just jinxed him (and K-Roc)........sorry.
Sure sounds like there's going to be more than just a couple guys winning. On paper anyway.....
Roczen winning 450 east coast race on the 350, crazy? ...or is it sooo sane you just blew your mind?
@DaveyCoombs; Nice review of the season (so far) and the upcoming East series.
We both know momentum is all well and good, however (as you mentioned) this is not over by any means, and this is still the most easily altered, re-directed, reversed, shuffled sport in the Milkey Way, as Eli just reminded us. So, you can (basically) throw momentum out with the next tear-off. I think Ken and Eli are two grounded riders surrounded by great support people to keep them there. There is almost a guarantee they will both ride clean down to the wire, and that (in my opinion) is the only thing predictable about these last few races. Time (layoff), conditioning and desire are now elements to keep in perspective. I wish I could say, "May the best man win." But they are two great young men that both want to win. Stay healthy and focused through the change gentleman. Because anything can, and the least likely, will most likely happen...
One could say training and racing in the States is paying off for KRoc. It's not like he is a GP rider who came over here and won. He is a GP rider who came over here and learned, got better and then won.