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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1494803
ROUND 9 / MARCH, 11 2023 LUCAS OIL STADIUM / INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA SUPERCROSS I MONSTER ENERGY AMA SUPERCROSS / SUPERMOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP P76 two went toe-to-toe on argu- ably the toughest course of the year. Roczen claimed the win by 0.7 of a second, marking the first win for the HEP/Progres- sive Insurance Suzuki team. Roczen still holds down fifth in the championship but gained ground on fourth-placed Jason Anderson, who is just two points ahead of the Suzuki rider. "This night I've dreamed of for many, many months," Roczen said. "It seemed so far away, especially after these last races. My starts weren't good, and I wasn't anywhere near the front honestly. This race felt long and short at the same time. I was just trying to hit my mark, and obviously lappers came into play. To pull this one off on a track like this, I just have to let it settle in." Justin Barcia almost had the ride of the night. The GasGas rider looked fired up after he victory since 2016, the longest win-less gap ever for a manu - facturer in Supercross. Roczen's last win came at Anaheim 1 in 2022 and since then he's been on a rollercoaster ride. Now riding for the HEP/ Progressive Insurance Suzuki squad, he's shown speed all sea - son but results have been hit-or- miss. He's only been on the bike since December and admittedly traded physical training to seek improvements on bike setup. "Before Tampa I rode until 7 p.m. on Thursday, and then 5 p.m. on Friday, then went racing on Saturday," Roczen said. "I just couldn't pound out motos while working on the bike." His strategy seemed to work. Roczen got the holeshot in Indy and led wire-to-wire despite charges from Chase Sexton and Justin Barcia later in the race. Roczen and Barcia put on a suspenseful last few laps as the 238 HAIDEN DEEGAN 7TH 250SX EAST Haiden Deegan was fighting for a podium before getting sideways in the ruts and falling. "Indy was one of the gnarliest tracks that I have raced," he said. "I was adapting well in the main but then made a mistake in the whoops. This race was a big learning experience." 7 AARON PLESSINGER 4TH 450SX Aaron Plessinger finished just off the podium after the 27-lap 450SX main event. "I got off to a mediocre start in the main, but I tried to ride smart and pushed my way to fourth, where I stayed for the rest of the race. After last weekend's disappointing ninth result, I wanted to get back up there this weekend and get that momentum back, and I felt like I did that tonight. On to the next one!" MYOWNRACE