I have a theory about Ken Roczen. He is obviously a great rider top 3 in the series as far as skills go. However, he has had serious setbacks both physical (arm and autoimmune issues) and mental (injuries and family member seriously hurt). So this is not a rip on the guy, if anyone has reasons he does. However, I think the decision making is self destructive. He had a Honda ride he could have kept, he could have rode a non-factory honda with more support and a more up to date platform. But, he decided to go with a ride that gives him a built in "out" for performance problems. I believe this could be a mental block that is pushing him to make unwise decisions. Couple this with his age and seeming desire to make decisions without good input. (I think his agent showed his stripes in the whole drug testing debacle and I am not seeing from the outside a clear guide that can talk to him) It is the reason he cannot achieve the level he is clearly capable of. I wish the guy the best, just my observation as a fan and athletic coach. (a nobody)
Riding dirt bikes is hard!
I’ll preface this post by first saying that Kenny is my fav rider of all time.
I can’t imagine what it must have been like to be on the track when his brother-in-law was paralyzed, when he nearly lost his arm in his brutal get-off, and to deal with all of the autoimmune issues he’s been dealt.
Couple all of that with not ever being entirely comfortable on the Honda, I don’t know what the answer is…..he definitely looked good in WSX, but that was a small sample size to judge from.
I hope he continues his progress on the HEP Suzuki, and has an amazing last part of his career!
Also, I agree with WTF_M8, Dirt Bike riding IS HARD!!
I think we should all cut him a bit of slack, and just keep seeing how the series unfolds, he’s doing pretty well so far, and I’m sure HEP Suzuki is extremely happy with his results thus far.
I’ll be rootin’ for him every Saturday as always, and hope to see him at the top of the podium soon!! 👍
Every rider has challenges that crack them in some form or another.
Basically, you are saying you would have made a better decision for him than he did. I disagree.
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And we all have mental challenges.
Mental part is bigger than, talent, conditioning and equipment.
Agreed 100%
No, what I am saying is that he is a young guy that has had a lot of adversity thrown at him and probably could use some guidance but, like we all do when we are young, he makes decisions on the fly and possibly has demons influencing those decisions.
Also, I have to believe there are smart, respectable people in this sport that can guide these young men. The idea is for these people to give you logical sides to a decision, then as a young man you respect these people and "hear" them. That is what I think is missing on the decision making. I clearly am not qualified to give any of these riders advice on the business of motocross. But, I do work in other industries and it is no different, people can find good guidance or not. It is a maturing process.
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