DIRT NEWS
ROCZEN TO SIT OUT AMA PRO MOTO-X SEASON
I
n a surprise move, it has been announced
that two-time AMA Motocross champion
Ken Roczen will sit out the coming season.
American Honda and Ken Roczen announced
that the German will sit out the 2020 AMA Pro
Motocross series with Christian Criaig set to take
his place on the factory CRF450R alongside
Chase Sexton.
In the release, the reasons behind the move
were made plain and clear. Over the course of
the next few months, Roczen will focus on his
family (wife Courtney is due with their first child
in September), on giving his body time to fully
recover from the health issues that have
hampered him in recent seasons. It is hoped that
the time off the bike will aid in Roczen’s ultimate
objective of making a championship run at the
2021 AMA Supercross series.
“Taking this shortened outdoor season off was
a very difficult decision, but I’m confident it’s
what’s best for me and my team in the long run,”
Roczen explained. “It will be good to regroup, let
my body heal, enjoy this important experience
with Courtney, and build back up for 2021. I’d like
to thank my team and sponsors for having my
back through this, and I look forward to
supporting Chase and Christian from home this
summer before once again doing my job the
best I possibly can.”
“Of course we’re disappointed that we won’t
have Ken in the pits and on the track for the
upcoming outdoors season,” said Brandon
Wilson, American Honda’s Manager of
Advertising & Motorcycle Sports. “He’s an
important part of the Honda family, and it
won’t be the same without him. That said, as
a company and a team, we support Ken during
this special time, and in his efforts to get back
to full strength. We look forward to working
closely with him during this period and
attacking 2021 with him in top form.”
KIWI RIDER 19