5 Minutes With… Ken Roczen
Saturday, January 8, 2011 | 11:35 AM
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Hard to believe that there’s been a buzz building for over a year around German Ken Roczen, since he’s still only 16-years-old. But the kid has been winning GPs since he was 15, and just waiting for the AMA pro age minimum to either drop back down to 16 so he could race supercross. The age limit has dropped, and Roczen is here—ready to race in the stadiums before heading back home for the GPs in the spring.
Racer X Online: The big day is coming, are you ready? Or do you not even know?
Ken Roczen: No, I feel like I’m ready for it, but I don’t know where I am. Well, I do, kind of, because I’ve been riding with Andrew [Short], and my speed is similar to him, so that’s good. But you don’t really know until you’re actually in a race, so we will have to see.
We know French riders come over with good supercross experience, but a lot of other riders from the GPs do not. What’s the German scene like? Do you have much supercross experience?
Not much. We have a supercross in Dortmund that I have raced, but it is very small, smaller than an Arenacross, actually. So it’s very different. And I’ve also never raced in front of 50,000 people before, so I don’t know about that, either. But I bet it’s a good feeling!
Everyone says you seem to ride smart, and very mature, for being so young. Where does that come from?
Actually I have no idea. This has always been my style—new school, but actually smooth. I would like to keep it that way because I don’t like the revving and all the extra movement and stuff. It looks kind of nervous and wastes a lot of energy, so this is actually how I am, and I’m glad I am like that.
The hype around Roczen has been building for over a year, the time is now.
Photo: Garth Milan
So it’s not a style you’ve worked on, it’s just the way you ride.
No, nothing like that, it’s just what I do.
What has been the hardest part about learning supercross?
Well, the hardest part is to remind yourself to breathe and all that stuff. That was probably the hardest part.
Really. Any specific obstacles? Whoops?
Whoops were okay for me, I had no big problems. The first day, I did have some problems with some tabletops, because they were very difficult over at KTM, but I was able to get it down.
Roczen said that he had "no big problems" with the whoops.
Photo: Garth Milan
So on the first day out you were able to handle it?
Well, from the start I felt kind of stiff and tight, I was not so happy. Actually, it was like that the first week, then I loosened up. The first day, I could not do those tabletops, but I got them on the second day. So I’m feeling good with it all, now.
Where is this supercross thing as a goal right now? Is it play time before going after the MX2 Championship this summer in the GPs? Is it getting your full focus right now?
This is the focus right now. Supercross is difficult, and I have to learn new riders, and I have to experience all of those people in the crowd. There’s a lot happening, so I know if I don’t stay focused, you can make a mistake, and it can end up really bad. So any time I race, I race 100 percent, and I’m totally thinking only about supercross right now.
And as a kid, is racing in a sold-out American stadium where you wanted to be?
Oh yeah exactly! In 2008 I watched Anaheim and San Francisco and said that is where I want to be. So I was just waiting for the age limit to change, and now it did so I can race. I’m excited.
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From all the "euros" watching back home, do us proud K-Roc, more importantly though dude have fun!!!
Be sure, he will go on podium.
Go Ken !! not only germans but all europeans are proud of you. Be focused and it will happened
Kid will be good. as fast as Short already.
Hello! Jesper here from sweden! everyone in Sweden hope that you will win. Even Rasums Sjöberg from Sweden, hope you doing great out there =) Sry for my bad Eng :/ //Jesper
Roczen's secret weapons are late night doses of Nutella, lederhosen, and futbol breaks. Jah!
Go Ken! The entire Europe will support for you! COME ON, KICK EVERY *****ING AMERICAN ASS. Musquin had to be here. You lucky (as always) americans... :@
Whoa easy there Davide! No need to be such a hater. Not all Americans are A*&holes;. Ken seems to be a nice kid with amazing talent and an extemely quick learning ability. I am excited and curious to see him race. I dont care what country a rider is from (until the MXON) if he is cool I will be a fan. I would like to see him do well and surprise people here just like he did in Colorado last summer!
Most Americans are not assholes, unfortunately like football hooligans in England the few bad make it bad for the many great people.
hey dav...i mean douche its an american series so bring it !!! USA USA !!!
forklicker: Roczen, vhat ist gud in life? Roczen: To crosh der enemies, to see zem driven before you, und to hear der lamentations of der vomen. Ja!
As fast as Short already?
yes. And he will win.
Yes he is definitely fast, but he will have nothing for Eli Tomac!! If Eli gets the holeshot, the race is over.
good kid, i wish him success
u euros need to chill.. dont bash us espesially in motocross... have u looked at the mxon lately... we smoked u guys many many many times over... we love to have euro racing company but let the riding do the talking..........GEEZ
Why do the Euros have to get on here whenever a Euro rider races and act like a jerk?? Is there that much hate and jealousy over there.,. Its really sad to be that hateful all the time. And there is no country named Europe. So I cant figure out why someone from Seden or France or something would cheer for a German so hard. He isnt from where your from, so get over it. And just enjoy the good racing without being such a bigot and a hater. You Euros are bigots and racists..
This guy is the real deal. The video of him the other day riding that moped and eating ice cream sitting on the hood of a car - while driving down the road----too funny.
My friends and I were making picks for A1. Don't know why, But i picked K-roc. With so little SX experience not so sure that was a good pick. He might do good if he doesn't get too hyped. 20$ each who ever is closest takes the pot. WE have 15 guys in = 300$. Im the only one took K-roc. 4 took Hahn. Come on K-roc!!!!! Can you say HOLESHOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this kid is fast and calm on the bike like CP but it is not his time to take championships. he will podium at some point in this series. the 250 class is erratic and lot of guys go down all the time,it's the wild mob. he is in for a rocket ride with all the rest.i would remind all the Euro's the American racers DROP THE HAMMER FROM BEGINNING TO THE END WIDE F'ING OPEN!!!!
Don't judge the Euros based on one punk. Forklicker, even though Arnold is Austrian, that's still hilarious-especially since I learned German before English and I was born in Shitcago!
i like his smooth and controlled riding style he says he has. good mentality to have especially for a young adult.
Ahhh I know of this Shitcago you sprecken of. So funny! Roczenator vill be baaaaaaaaaaaack.
He needs to. He got smoked!
i dont think anyones being in a jerk. i think davide was just super exciting and showing his pride. the last thing we need is "the no child/rider left behind" attitude in a sport that promotes competition.
ovechtrik, Showing pride saying kick every American fuc@#ng as#?? Are you serious, He was showing his lack of class and showing hate. Its all he was doing. And saying all of Europe"" like its one big country. Cracks me up.
"Go Ken goooooooooo"!!!!
Maybe w/some luck Ken might see the top 5.....might...