Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1488031
Roczen Back On Suzuki I t's finally official. Ken Roczen has finally found a bike and team that he's happy with. The former factory Honda HRC rider inked a deal with H.E.P. Motors- ports to ride a Suzuki RM-Z450 in the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross and outdoor Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Champion- ships. After testing the waters, which included a private Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha and even the Starg Varg electric motorcycle (which is not AMA legal) during the off-season, Roczen says he feels "right at home" on the Suzuki and that he will be "ready to go racing come January 7" for the start of Supercross. Roczen, who won his most recent championship on a Suzuki, will be reunited with the brand and bring his exciting style, determination and grit back to the RM Army. Ken Roczen will compete in the upcoming 2023 Supercross and Motocross Championship series which is set to start on January 7 at Anaheim Stadium in Southern California. "I am beyond excited to recon- nect with Suzuki for the third time in my career. We've had a lot of success in the past and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish together in our future," said Roczen, "I have a lot of confidence in Suzuki and the H.E.P. Motorsports program and I am excited to finally get the new year going with a fresh start. From the moment I got on the bike I felt right at home. It has been a welcome surprise how quickly I've adapted to the bike and the team." "We are pleased to have Ken back on a Suzuki and part of the RM Army," said Chris Wheeler, Motorsports Manager for Su- zuki Motor USA, LLC. "Ken's experience, determination and incredible skill are everything we need to help Suzuki and H.E.P. Motorsports achieve the success we are all striving for in 2023." "Everyone is super excited to have Ken Roczen on board," said Dustin Pipes, Team Principal at H.E.P. Motorsports. "Having Ken as part of our team is sure to elevate our performance and we can't wait to go racing at A1 in January." The H.E.P. Team also acquired Larry Brooks, who has been named the team's new manager. Brooks is a veteran race team man- ager having worked with such rid- ers as Jeremy McGrath and James Stewart throughout his career. Roczen's last championship came in 2016 when he won the 450cc AMA Pro Motocross Championship on the Soaring Eagle Casino/Jimmy John's RCH Suzuki RM-Z450. CN IN THE WIND P46 Ken Roczen will ride a Suzuki as a member of the H.E.P. Motorsports Team in 2023.