by Davey Coombs
250 Words: Southwick
Monday, August 13, 2012 | 11:30 AM
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PrintWhen the starting gate dropped on the first 250 moto at Southwick Moto-X 338, it immediately appeared that we were in for something special. Zach Bell, in his first professional race, grabbed the holeshot and proceeded to lead for five frantic laps. It was an Eli Tomac-like effort circa Hangtown 2010, or Justin Barcia at Glen Helen the year before that. The tiny GEICO Honda rider was setting a blistering pace, leaving the Moto-X 338 faithful scratching their heads trying to figure out who was leading on the #167 bike. But it ended just as quickly, as we’ve seen many times this summer for newcomers running up front. Tomac, the fastest man in the sand in both motos, swept pass Bell and the kid promptly went down and then out.
In the second moto it was a more seasoned newcomer up front, but a new rider to the Southwick fans nevertheless. Red Bull KTM's Ken Roczen, in his own Massachusetts debut, passed Troy Lee Designs Honda rider Jessy Nelson and appeared finally on his way to a long-overdue moto win. Yet once again the superbly talented German was reeled in by series frontrunner Blake Baggett, who in turn was being chased by the poor-starting Tomac. The three of them were within a few bike lengths of one another when Tomac made a pass on Baggett for second, only to get too close to the inside tree of the Buckley Berm and fall off his bike. Blake went right back past him, then really picked up the attack on Roczen. With the overall on the line, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki-backed Baggett kept right on going, overtaking K-Roc and then, after a spirited response, pulled away with another win.
A crash in the second moto keep Eli Tomac from capturing the overall.
Carl Stone photo
What is it that Baggett has that seems to get him to the front when he most needs it? Speed, strength, and confidence, with a little bit of luck—had Tomac not gone down, he almost certainly would have won. Baggett has held the red plate since Day One of this series, and he's now almost a moto ahead with six to go.
What is it that Roczen lacks? Right now it's the ability to close the deal. He's been passed in the late going several times this summer, and his confidence must be waning. But he's still got three races left to show he can beat the trio of Baggett, Tomac, and Justin Barcia—all at the same time.
Here's a closing thought: Imagine how competitive it would be right now if the actual champion, the sidelined Dean Wilson, were out there trying to defend his #1 plate. How would he be doing at this point in this entertaining title bout?
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That's a sick shot of Tomac at the beach!
Deano would be right in the thick of things if he was 0 healthy. Up until I read this article I completely forgot he was even out. Man what a chase it would be with him. thank god for an awesome 250 season.
Good point Davey, the class could be even closer if Wilson were out there and Bogle had not been out with knee surgery. We could have had the Super Seven battling for the championship!
In my opinion, Ken's in an apprentice mode here in the states. I would much prefer to see him age gracefully into his realm, than see him ride over his head at this point and suffer the consequences. Give the (young) man some time to mature, just as Baggett, Barcia and Tomac have had for (three) years in this cutthroat class.
He's coming along just fine, also in my opinion.
Is it just me or does the sand at Southwick not seem as deep as it was in the past?? It just seems the track has a more of a hard base than it used too.. It seems to me that the ruts and sand were deeper..
Will KRoc be in the states next year? I hope so.
It sure is quiet around here anymore without the Barcia, Tomac, and Roczen fans present. But soon there will be more Blake fans as a championship always recruits more.
You can't blaim the "new" tracks on way Roczen is not winning. He has lead MANY moto's for over 30 min's so the tracks are not the problem. The problem is The boys are just a little bit stronger/faster at the end. Roczen is doing fine but he has to be crushed at the so close but yet so far stuff. The Euro fans must be in shock!!! I know EuroMike is!!! LOL
Expeditionary Citizen YES he will be here next year. I wonder if hurlings is rethinking how soon he wants to come here after seeing MM and Roczen not win one moto yet!!
Blake this and Kenny that but the fastest guy by miles was Tomac. It was the last thing I was expecting, but he was head and shoulders faster than anyone out there on Saturday. He straight up pulled a Baggett.
I think the expectations on Roczen were too high. I also think there might be a little "Hollywood fever" going on with him.
I wonder if they took the E-start off the 250F for the 'nats? The KTM is a pig compared to the Honda on the scales and, at this level, it makes a difference.
Zach Bell's rippin' holeshot was awesome!!! I don't think team GEICO has any worries for the next few years. Man, I didn't see that coming!
As far as euromike goes, he flat vanished from the scene. It's too bad. I'm thinking he was more a fan of euros beating 'Yanks than a Roczen fan. Maybe Herlings will have an epic day at the MXdN and he'll chime in again.
@ xxktm, I think E.T. is going to have a growth spurt and his 250F MX career will be done. SX-wise, he should still be fine.
The KTM's have been doing very well on the starts carsbad so I think they have the HP
250 World Champion / 4th Nationals...........................
"U.S. racing is no joke even if the euro fans think so..."
Quote DV12
Props to Mike McDade for stopping to help Wil Hahn. That was very classy and one of the best examples of sportsmanship I have seen in a long time. Mike could have just remounted and gotten right back in the race Instead, he helped a down rider. Good lesson in that for all of us.
Herlings could obtain better results in the USA than Roczen and/or Musquin. There is more needed to win an outdoor series in the USA than FIM championships. Herlings seems to have it.
Roczen......KTM 250 is fine, Roczen's speed is on pace with all three, Roczen's problem is conditioning, he's not as fit as the other three. Glad he is here in the states because we and the series need him, his time will come, One man's opinion...
@BillC and Karlsbad. I´m here watching and loving it. Kenny might not have won but then only a dye hard fan of the German like me would have expected him to. If you want to know how hard it is to travel half way around the world and into someone´s back yard and still beat them in your first season, then read the exploits of some of the very few Americans who have had the balls to take on the Europeans on their own turf. Guys like Brad Lackey and co. It took Lackey several seasons to get the results he was really capable of until he finally won a world title.
AMA races are shorter and tend to be all out sprint races compared to the longer and less intense GP events. Both Roczen and MM have to adapt to the AMA style of racing and realise that they have to condition themselves differently. It´s like a 400 meter specialist taking on a 100 meter champion, (to put it in athletics terms so BillC can understannd). Also, the character of European tracks is different, as well as they tend to get a whole lot rougher. The new language, the different surroundings, being away from family and friends, new food, new money, new this new that. Not easy when you are trying to concentrate on your sport.
Roczen will become a champion in AMA, of that I have absolutely no doubt. Only, he neads time to acclimatize. So BillC, have your fun while you can, because soon "ya gonna eat crow". That´s how you yanks put it, no?
About Roczen vs the other 250 guys.... something no one ever talks about is that he just turned 18. Barcia is 20 and Bagget & Tomac are a couple months away. If you think of the equivalent in college sports, Roczen is just out of HS and getting ready for his Freshman year. The other guys are returning Juniors.
Ages 18-21 are dog years as far as athletic development. It's rare that a frosh challenges a Junior for a starting spot (Division 1, anyway) and it makes the news when he does. You are just a different athlete when you are 20+ and this is so well known in college sports that it is cliché.
Wrestled D-1 in college and did the whole same cycle that few escape: Hot-shot frosh comes in used to beating everyone and gets hammered. WTF? But you keep at it, your body catches up as you develop the man-strength and deeper conditioning that comes after you quit growing. By the time you are a Junior you easily crush the incoming hot-shots and unusually act like you don’t even know their names. And so it goes.
Roczen is a frosh. If this were any other sport the story would be the frosh that runs with the upperclassmen. Give him a year or two to "grow in." Then we will see.
He's on schedule to be a monster, seems to me.
Euromike you seem to have some mental deficiencies!!! I think Roczen is doing fine, I expected him to have some win's by now also.
. YOU on the other hand are back peddeling now. Last year YOU said KING KENNY would Dominate now all you do is come on here and make excues as to why he is not!! The bottom line is the guys here are just a little better/stronger hence all the last lap passes on Roczen. So no need to "dumb" it down for me I told you last year he was not going to dominate but YOU knew better!!! so save the excues and lame drival we all know who you are and what you are all about!!
Whay the hell does Ken Roczen keep getting Adolph Hitler haircuts?? All he needs is a toothbrush moustache and he will have the look dialed. Not a good look!
For ''Rock zen'',being so far from home so young with such results:CONGRATULATIONS!
Little euro with his Austrian bike against the hungries US. For me is doing real good. In fact how old is he?