Red Bull/KTM Factory Team rider Ken Roczen snaps his first podium in the AMA West Supercross Lites class at the fifth round of the series in Anaheim, CA.
From the moment Roczen set foot on the Anaheim 2 track he felt confident. “I liked the track right from the start today. It really suited my style and I was able to throw some pretty big whips right from the start,” stated a smiling Roczen.
Roczen had success in both timed practice sessions earning the third fastest time in the first session and the 5th fastest in the second to earn a decent gate pick in his heat.
With a great jump off the start of the second heat, Roczen rounded the first corner in 3rd position and maintained that place through the six lap heat. “I was happy with my heat finish. I had a cold all last week and wasn’t sure how I would feel once we were racing but I didn’t get tired and never had to cough and I felt good. My heat definitely helped give me confidence heading to the main event.”
When the gate dropped for the main event it was Roczen who had the initial jump off the line and looked as if he would take his first holeshot before he got pushed up a little high around the first turn. He ended up coming around the first corner in 3rd place right on the tail of Eli Tomac who was trailing Josh Hansen.
On the second lap Roczen was able to make a pass on Tomac and inch closer to the lead ride of Hansen. The top three riders continued to charge out front with less than a bike length separating each other. On the fifth lap Roczen made a mistake after a triple and Tomac was able to move around him in the next turn. Roczen remained close to Tomac and they both closed back in on Hansen. The three-way battle persisted throughout the entire main event giving the Anaheim crowd a reason to stay on their feet.
Roczen continued to gain ground on Tomac while impressing the crowd with his amazing corner speed and unique style. He was the only Lites rider to jump certain rhythm sections which helped him turn the fastest lap time of the night. When the 15 lap race had ended Roczen finished only a few feet behind Tomac to take 3rd overall and earn his first career podium.
“It feels really good to be on the podium and to put a solid race together. This was the first race where I did not suffer from arm pump and I also didn’t crash in the main event. I am very happy to finish safely and run the pace of the top guys. This is a step in the right direction and I’m excited for the next round,” remarked Roczen.
Roczen will take a break from the West Lites Supercross Series this next weekend and return to action when the series heads to San Diego on February 19, 2011.
Overall Results Supercross Lites:
1. Josh Hansen
2. Eli Tomac
3. Ken Roczen – KTM
4. Broc Tickle
5. Kyle Cunningham
6. Martin Davalos
7. Ryan Morais
8. Bruce Rutherford
9. Ryan Marmont – KTM
10. James Decotis
Overall Points Supercross Lites:
1. Josh Hansen – 113
2. Broc Tickle – 105
3. Eli Tomac – 91
4. Ryan Morais – 84
5. Cole Seely – 70
6. Ken Roczen – 69
7. Martin Davalos – 60
8. Kyle Cunningham – 60
9. Tyla Rattray – 58
10. James Decotis – 51
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Short Inches Closer to Top Five Finish at Anaheim 2
Red Bull/KTM Factory Team rider Andrew Short continues to inch closer to a top five finish each round of the AMA Supercross Series. This weekend he finished just one spot shy of the top five as he crossed the finish line in 6th place marking his best finish this season on his KTM 350 SX-F.
The day started off well for Short as he had two good practice sessions, turning laps closer to the top runners than he had in the previous four rounds. “I felt like this track suited the 350 really well and it showed through the improvements in my lap time,” remarked Short.
Short and his teammate, Mike Alessi, were both placed in the second SX heat. Short got off to a decent start rounding the first corner in 4th position with Alessi back in 9th. Short continued to hold 4th place through the first half of the heat while getting heavily pressured by Chad Reed. Around the fifth lap Reed was able to move around Short and take over 4th position. Short remained close to Reed through the finish and ended up qualifying 5th overall while Alessi moved up one spot from his starting position to qualify 8th.
Both Red Bull/KTM riders were feeling confident as they headed to the line for the main event. Alessi, who had struggled the past few rounds, was able to find his secret starting power as the gate dropped and he put his KTM into the top three around the first corner. “I actually didn’t get the best jump off the line but I was able to quickly sneak underneath a bunch of guys and then nobody did the first rhythm section that I was able to and it helped me jump out front early,” stated Alessi.
While Alessi was working away out front, Short was busy picking off riders from his mid-pack start. “I believe I was about 10th or 11th around the first corner and just went to work straight away. I have been taking too long to make my moves in the past so I really focused on trying to make passes earlier this week,” remarked Short.
After not qualifying the week prior Alessi was turning heads as he ran inside the top five for the first six laps. Around the halfway point Alessi began to tire and started dropping back. Meanwhile Short was continuing to pick up the pace and was battling for 5th with Trey Canard and Kyle Chisholm. When Chisholm went down he left the battle to Canard and Short. Canard was able to make the pass on Short and Short settled into 6th place. Short would maintain his pace throughout the remaining laps to cross the checkers in 6th overall just one spot shy of the top five while Alessi finished 12th overall.
“Today was a good day. My practice, my heat and the main event all went well. I felt strong all day and the track really suited the 350. It definitely feels good to make steps forward and I feel like I am inching closer to where I know I can be,” remarked Short after the race.
“I was glad I got a good start in the main event today and was able to run the pace of the top guys for a while. I fell off the pace around the halfway mark and just need to work on improving my conditioning,” stated Alessi. “I brought my trainer back this week and I credit my improved results to his return. I hope to continue this trend and push toward a top ten finish at the next few rounds.”
Next Event: Houston, TX – February 12, 2011
Overall Results SX:
1. James Stewart
2. Ryan Villopoto
3. Chad Reed
4. Justin Brayton
5. Trey Canard
6. Andrew Short – KTM
7. Ivan Tedesco
8. Kevin Windham
9. Brett Metcalfe
10. David Millsaps
11. Kyle Regal
12. Mike Alessi – KTM
13. Matt Boni
14. Kyle Chisholm
15. Nick Wey
16. Jason Thomas
17. Chris Blose
18. Tye Simmonds – KTM
19. Fabien Izoird
20. Ryan Dungey
Overall Point Standings SX:
1. James Stewart – 117
2. Ryan Villopoto – 112
3. Chad Reed – 90
4. Trey Canard – 87
5. Ryan Dungey – 79
6. Brett Metcalfe – 67
7. Andrew Short – 64
8. Kevin Windham – 59
9. Justin Brayton – 57
10. Ivan Tedesco – 48
