MxLarge Story
Ken Roczen interview - Finally a GP win in 2010
Interview Monday 02nd August 2010 By Geoff Meyer
Teka Suzuki rider Ken Roczen knows that his chances of catching Marvin Musquin in the World MX2 Championship points is slim, but the German teenager isn’t about to give up his fight for a World title. Roczen went 1-2 yesterday at the tough Lommel circuit and picked up his first Grand Prix victory of the season.
Roczen did well to take the victory as he rode two smart races and used a similar style to MX1 winner Antonio Cairoli in making his way to the top of the GP podium.
MXlarge: Ken how did your weekend start, you looked really in good control on Saturday?
Roczen: Saturday it was really good, I made a good pre-qualifying, and I am not used to that I always have a little trouble getting one lap down, but I felt really good, even the qualification race went really good for me.
MXlarge: Sunday was also impressive; you rode to really smart races?
Roczen: On Sunday it was a great day to win the overall at the Grand Prix and the first race was fantastic from my side. I didn’t get a great start, but I won and that is all that matters. The second moto my start was pretty good, but on the straight I went one gear to far, maybe I should have shifted a little earlier.
MXlarge: Would you say that Jeffrey (Herlings) was actually faster than you but maybe you were smarter?
Roczen: Actually it’s possible he is an excellent sand rider and I also want to improve in the sand. It’s really rough and when you don’t have a good rhythm that takes all the energy. The track was tough; I struggled to get into my rhythm, which wasn’t good for me. In the end I was second in the second moto (behind Herlings) and won the Grand Prix overall, which was perfect.
MXlarge: Eric Geboers was telling me the first time you ever rode Lommel you didn’t last one lap. Can you tell me about that?
Roczen: I made one lap and I saw everything showing their thumbs, I was riding really well and the track was really heavy and muddy and then I had a small crash and cracked my collarbone, it wasn’t a big crash.
MXlarge: How old where you back then and how often did you ride Lommel recently?
Roczen: I was 13 years old I think. I rode here in the winter a lot, but not as much as I did in 2009, the last time I rode Lommel was in the winter of this year.
MXlarge: Catching up to Marvin is going to be difficult, but obviously you won’t give up until it’s not possible anymore?
Roczen: That is true, I think I am not looking at the championship anymore, but you never know what is happening at that level, anything can happen and I just try and focus on getting second place, but we just wait and see where we end up.
MXlarge: Any news on the plans for racing in America in January?
Roczen: I really want to go to the US and ride some Supercross races. I mean they say it’s 90% happening (the age limit) and I think we make some decisions at the MX des Nations.
MXlarge: Are you looking forward to any individual Grand Prix or just taking them one at a time?
Roczen: Every Grand Prix is the same, I am just looking forward to another Grand Prix race and give it everything I have and take some more Grand Prix wins.
MXlarge: Marvin isn’t racing with the same intensity as he was earlier in the year. What do you think of that?
Roczen: Saturday in the qualification race he was riding I think too easy and relaxed and he had a big crash, he has to watch out for that, the last thing he needs is making a big crash.
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