Will Ken Roczen do what Eric Geboers did?! [Retire after a championship win?]

MXMattii
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Edited Date/Time 5/13/2026 8:26pm

Back in 1990 Eric Geboers became World Champion 500cc at Namur and said out of the blue to the fans and the journalists: "Past season was my last season, it was my intention to go go out with a bang, and that happened with the win of this championship!"

Do you guys think that it is a possibility that Ken Roczen says, if he wins the championships, he tells the world: "I quit, mic drop!", and also how would you feel about it if he would do that?

Poll

How would you feel if he would announce his retirment when he wins the championship?!

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mxrose3
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5/5/2026 6:40pm

He's already done the MXGP's prior to coming to America, so I doubt #3 is even an option.

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Sully
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5/5/2026 6:53pm

What an odd poll. You asked a yes or no question, but gave four responses that are all variations of he's done if he wins. 

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MXMattii
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5/5/2026 6:56pm
Sully wrote:

What an odd poll. You asked a yes or no question, but gave four responses that are all variations of he's done if he wins. 

This is the poll question: "How would you feel if he would announce his retirement when he wins the championship?!" That doesn't seem like a yes or no question. The topic title is a yes or no question. Will he do it, is it an option...

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Blake522
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5/5/2026 6:57pm Edited Date/Time 5/5/2026 7:19pm

I don’t think he just out right quits after winning the championship, he seems to enjoy racing more this season. What’s he’s done so far this season is only going to increase his “market value” he’ll he wanted, or just be able to leverage it for more dolllaaassss.

He’s more than likely going to race short course trucks right?

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The Shop

yamathumb
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5/5/2026 6:59pm

He would obviously run the number one at least for a year it will pay good is why let alone he's winning race bonuses.

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Chris_Buehler
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5/5/2026 7:01pm

No chance at doing MXGP. He said numerous times he doesn't enjoy motocross anymore 

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Sully
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5/5/2026 7:21pm Edited Date/Time 5/5/2026 11:31pm
Sully wrote:

What an odd poll. You asked a yes or no question, but gave four responses that are all variations of he's done if he wins. 

MXMattii wrote:
This is the poll question: "How would you feel if he would announce his retirement when he wins the championship?!" That doesn't seem like a yes...

This is the poll question: "How would you feel if he would announce his retirement when he wins the championship?!" That doesn't seem like a yes or no question. The topic title is a yes or no question. Will he do it, is it an option...

"Do you guys think that it is a possibility that Ken Roczen says, if he wins the championships, he tells the world: "I quit, mic drop!""

This is the first part of the question you asked, and it's either yes or no. 
My answer by the way is no, I don't think he calls it quits if he wins. I think he'll want to run the #1 next year.

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mx691
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5/5/2026 11:31pm
mxrose3 wrote:

He's already done the MXGP's prior to coming to America, so I doubt #3 is even an option.

Well, he did compete in the world championships, winning MX2 in 2011.

Only time he ever competed in the FIM MXGP class is in a couple MXoN’s… whatever.

But i agree, MXGP will not be a option.

CPR
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5/5/2026 11:52pm

I don’t think he retires however this SX goes, but when he does, I hope he continues to turn up at individual events here and there, like he has previously, just to remind us how bad ass he is.

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The Wolf Man
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5/5/2026 11:52pm
MXMattii wrote:
Back in 1990 Eric Geboers became World Champion 500cc at Namur and said out of the blue to the fans and the journalists: "Past season was...

Back in 1990 Eric Geboers became World Champion 500cc at Namur and said out of the blue to the fans and the journalists: "Past season was my last season, it was my intention to go go out with a bang, and that happened with the win of this championship!"

Do you guys think that it is a possibility that Ken Roczen says, if he wins the championships, he tells the world: "I quit, mic drop!", and also how would you feel about it if he would do that?

PitBits-Indy 1
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mxrose3
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5/6/2026 10:36am Edited Date/Time 5/6/2026 10:38am
mxrose3 wrote:

He's already done the MXGP's prior to coming to America, so I doubt #3 is even an option.

mx691 wrote:
Well, he did compete in the world championships, winning MX2 in 2011.Only time he ever competed in the FIM MXGP class is in a couple MXoN’s...

Well, he did compete in the world championships, winning MX2 in 2011.

Only time he ever competed in the FIM MXGP class is in a couple MXoN’s… whatever.

But i agree, MXGP will not be a option.

My bad... you're right, it was on 250's (and a 125! 😀)

But when I think of the MXGP's, I include the MX2 class.

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gt80rider
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5/6/2026 3:27pm

Would love to see him retire if he wins... it's the best way to go out... invisible sky daddy knows he's given more than most to this sport... 

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BossWool2800
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5/6/2026 3:37pm
MXMattii wrote:
Back in 1990 Eric Geboers became World Champion 500cc at Namur and said out of the blue to the fans and the journalists: "Past season was...

Back in 1990 Eric Geboers became World Champion 500cc at Namur and said out of the blue to the fans and the journalists: "Past season was my last season, it was my intention to go go out with a bang, and that happened with the win of this championship!"

Do you guys think that it is a possibility that Ken Roczen says, if he wins the championships, he tells the world: "I quit, mic drop!", and also how would you feel about it if he would do that?

I didn’t realize Geboers did that 🤔

MXMattii
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5/6/2026 4:16pm
MXMattii wrote:
Back in 1990 Eric Geboers became World Champion 500cc at Namur and said out of the blue to the fans and the journalists: "Past season was...

Back in 1990 Eric Geboers became World Champion 500cc at Namur and said out of the blue to the fans and the journalists: "Past season was my last season, it was my intention to go go out with a bang, and that happened with the win of this championship!"

Do you guys think that it is a possibility that Ken Roczen says, if he wins the championships, he tells the world: "I quit, mic drop!", and also how would you feel about it if he would do that?

I didn’t realize Geboers did that 🤔

Yep, it was such big news that the National TV Station send a helicopter to Namur to pick up Eric Geboers to tell all about his retirement in the 7 O’clock journal (that is the main news journal). Tells also a thing or two about the popularity from that little big man. That first few seconds of this video is from that news journal and then an item about his career what they made... It was all "hush hush" but that was the headline that day.

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RichieW13
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5/6/2026 4:18pm

I would always prefer for great riders to keep racing if they still have something in the tank.  Ending a career on a championship doesn't mean anything to me as a fan.
 

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BossWool2800
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5/6/2026 4:24pm
MXMattii wrote:
Yep, it was such big news that the National TV Station send a helicopter to Namur to pick up Eric Geboers to tell all about his...

Yep, it was such big news that the National TV Station send a helicopter to Namur to pick up Eric Geboers to tell all about his retirement in the 7 O’clock journal (that is the main news journal). Tells also a thing or two about the popularity from that little big man. That first few seconds of this video is from that news journal and then an item about his career what they made... It was all "hush hush" but that was the headline that day.

Was that Dutch or German? I thought I could play the video and google translate would pick it up.

MXMattii
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5/6/2026 4:28pm
MXMattii wrote:
Yep, it was such big news that the National TV Station send a helicopter to Namur to pick up Eric Geboers to tell all about his...

Yep, it was such big news that the National TV Station send a helicopter to Namur to pick up Eric Geboers to tell all about his retirement in the 7 O’clock journal (that is the main news journal). Tells also a thing or two about the popularity from that little big man. That first few seconds of this video is from that news journal and then an item about his career what they made... It was all "hush hush" but that was the headline that day.

Was that Dutch or German? I thought I could play the video and google translate would pick it up.

Was that Dutch or German? I thought I could play the video and google translate would pick it up.

Flemish (Dutch).

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5/6/2026 5:23pm

Suzuki would want that 1 on his bike for the season!

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MXMattii
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5/13/2026 8:25pm

Ken Roczen said something about retiring in the PulpMX Show?

“I told my wife that if one day all the stars aligned and I won a title, then that would be it for me. At the time, I truly meant it, because winning seemed almost unreal back then. It was more of a dream than anything else… Even at the start of the season, when I was riding well, the title still felt very far away because there are so many obstacles to overcome.

 

“Now, I’m a champion. You also have to look at things differently. If I was 25 years old and said I wanted to retire after winning this title, I’d understand people telling me: ‘You’re crazy, you’re young, you’re riding amazingly, keep going!’ But now I’m 32. And I also told my wife that maybe it would be a good thing to walk away while I’m still in one piece and healthy. There are a lot of things to take into consideration. Right now, I just don’t know.”

Source: GateDrop.com

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Talon
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5/13/2026 8:41pm Edited Date/Time 5/13/2026 8:42pm

I think he does the RC thing and races a farewell tour at certain tracks he likes. No title pressure, ride with that number 1 a few times and go be full time dad mode 

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5/13/2026 9:58pm

I think he continues, hes been very good for the past 2 years, perhaps hes surprised himself with the result and now believes he has more in the tank, which clearly he does.

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jambalaya
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5/13/2026 10:18pm

I honestly wish his team did outdoors. With his confidence and how fit he's been this season I think he'd be a championship contender 

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theraptur712
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5/13/2026 10:23pm
Talon wrote:
I think he does the RC thing and races a farewell tour at certain tracks he likes. No title pressure, ride with that number 1 a...

I think he does the RC thing and races a farewell tour at certain tracks he likes. No title pressure, ride with that number 1 a few times and go be full time dad mode 

I mirror your thoughts.

 

He'll show off the #1 for next season, avoid trouble, and retire.

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theraptur712
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5/13/2026 10:24pm
I think he continues, hes been very good for the past 2 years, perhaps hes surprised himself with the result and now believes he has more...

I think he continues, hes been very good for the past 2 years, perhaps hes surprised himself with the result and now believes he has more in the tank, which clearly he does.

No way.

SoCalMX70
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5/13/2026 10:50pm
jambalaya wrote:

I honestly wish his team did outdoors. With his confidence and how fit he's been this season I think he'd be a championship contender 

Has nothing to do with his team. If he truly wanted to do outdoors they'd make it happen.

I still think we see him at High Point and/or Unadilla.

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5/14/2026 12:09am
Talon wrote:
I think he does the RC thing and races a farewell tour at certain tracks he likes. No title pressure, ride with that number 1 a...

I think he does the RC thing and races a farewell tour at certain tracks he likes. No title pressure, ride with that number 1 a few times and go be full time dad mode 

This. Whilst I share others opinions on the mxgp root I wouldn't be surprised if he does the German gp next year just as a farewell. Maybe a couple other races too that he's enjoyed in the past. 

How cool would it be if his last race was Assen mxon next year. Could also be Herlings last pro full time race too.. That would be something. 

Whatever he decides, he's completed this sport. Iconic career. Hope he does go 4 wheel and smashes that shit too! 

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philG
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5/14/2026 1:55am
mxrose3 wrote:

He's already done the MXGP's prior to coming to America, so I doubt #3 is even an option.

He hasnt, he rode MX2 . 

He has never raced MXGP on a 450 . 

 

philG
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5/14/2026 1:56am
MXMattii wrote:
Back in 1990 Eric Geboers became World Champion 500cc at Namur and said out of the blue to the fans and the journalists: "Past season was...

Back in 1990 Eric Geboers became World Champion 500cc at Namur and said out of the blue to the fans and the journalists: "Past season was my last season, it was my intention to go go out with a bang, and that happened with the win of this championship!"

Do you guys think that it is a possibility that Ken Roczen says, if he wins the championships, he tells the world: "I quit, mic drop!", and also how would you feel about it if he would do that?

I didn’t realize Geboers did that 🤔

MXMattii wrote:
Yep, it was such big news that the National TV Station send a helicopter to Namur to pick up Eric Geboers to tell all about his...

Yep, it was such big news that the National TV Station send a helicopter to Namur to pick up Eric Geboers to tell all about his retirement in the 7 O’clock journal (that is the main news journal). Tells also a thing or two about the popularity from that little big man. That first few seconds of this video is from that news journal and then an item about his career what they made... It was all "hush hush" but that was the headline that day.

Back when Belgium cared about motocross. 

5/14/2026 2:12am
philG wrote:

He hasnt, he rode MX2 . 

He has never raced MXGP on a 450 . 

 

Yeah he has. 

philG
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5/14/2026 3:44am
philG wrote:

He hasnt, he rode MX2 . 

He has never raced MXGP on a 450 . 

 

Yeah he has. 

You got me.

He rode one race in 2012, when it was MX1 , if you want to be pedantic, so he hasnt raced 'MXGP'. 

But never done a season. 

I had to wrack my brain to try and think when it was, and came up with nothing, expected it to be a 1 off German GP ride , which it was, when it was the last round of the series, prior to the MXoN at Lommel, which he won, i have the Team  Germany T Shirt from that weekend. 

Be great to see him back here, but i think a short SX schedule in 2027 is more likely. 

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