Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen turned in an impressive performance aboard his CRF450R at round four of the AMA Supercross series in Glendale, Arizona, scoring his second podium result of the season with a third-place finish. When the gate fell for the main event, Roczen rounded the first turn in sixth, but he quickly made his way into fifth on the opening lap. The German continued his charge forward, taking over fourth a few laps later. With his sights set on the podium, Roczen began applying pressure on third-place rider Weston Peick, battling hard before finally making a pass stick on lap seven. He spent the remainder of the race trying to close the gap on Justin Barcia, but mistakes in the race’s closing minutes caused him to lose time and settle into third.

Roczen’s teammate Cole Seely had a night he’d like to put behind him, as a poor start and a big mistake toward the end of the 23-lap main event saw him take the checkered flag in 12^th place. Having been saddled with a poor gate pick, Seely struggled off the line, completing the first lap in 15^th place. By the halfway mark, the Californian had made his way into eighth. A close call in the sand section caused him to lose his rhythm and fall off the pace, ultimately sending him back to 12^th position.

NOTES

• Team Honda HRC riders Ken Roczen and Cole Seely, along with GEICO Honda’s Christian Craig and Chase Sexton, attended a pre-race Supercross party at Peoria, Arizona’s RideNow Powersports on Friday, providing fans the opportunity to get photos and autographs from their favorite riders. “Without all of our fans, we wouldn’t be able to do what we love,” Roczen said. “Tonight was extra special because one little girl was so excited to meet me that she actually started crying. That’s what it’s all about and it really made my night.”
• During daytime qualifying, Roczen was the top Red Rider, scoring the second-quickest time with a 55.793”, while Seely secured third with a 55.952” time. SmarTop MotoConcept Honda’s Justin Brayton was also impressive, landing fourth with 55.955” lap.
• The University of Phoenix Stadium has one of the largest floor plans on the circuit, and as a result the track showcased one of the longest start straights. “We actually shifted into fourth,” Roczen said. “All in all, the layout of the track was much better than last week. There were a lot of different options, some big jumps, and actual whoops. It makes for much better racing when there are multiple options in rhythm sections and it’s not all one-lined.”
• Team Honda HRC was pleased to host Honda Racing Corporation Representative Director Keisuke Inomoto at Glendale. This was Mr. Inomoto’s first time attending an AMA Supercross race this season.
• Slotted in heat 1, Roczen got a poor jump out of the gate but was able to sneak to the inside, coming around the first turn in third. He moved into second on the opening lap, and that’s where he finished. Brayton had a stellar performance, taking the heat-race win. They were the only two riders in the race to dip into the 55-second range. Seely had his work cut out for him in heat 2 after he came together with another rider in the first turn, sending him to the ground. He worked his way up from 15^th on the opening lap to taking the checkered flag in sixth, transferring straight to the main.
• Following his solid podium finish, Roczen moved into third overall in the championship standings with 77 points (12 off the leader), while Seely sits fifth with 70.
• On February 3, Team Honda HRC will campaign round 5 of the AMA Supercross championship, at Oakland’s O.Co Coliseum. On the evening before the race, Seely and Roczen will head to East Bay Motorsports for an autograph session beginning at 6 p.m.

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