INTERVIEW
2014 CYCLE NEWS RIDER OF THE YEAR KEN ROCZEN
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people to rebel. And he's probably right.
"Like honestly, it's just not as 'cool' over there
[to drink, because anyone can drink at 16], so
that's why I feel like everything is con-
trolled and nobody gets out of con-
trol [in Germany]," Roczen said.
"But here, the age limit is 21, but
we're not 21, so it's 'so cool' [to
drink]. We'll get wasted and get
in trouble. Make it legal and it's
not as cool. The U.S. is just dif-
ferent."
As of April of 2015, fans will have
to find something else to be upset
about. That's when he turns 21.
BACK TO SUZUKI
Rumors started during Supercross that Roczen
was going to be with the RCH Suzuki team, which
is backed by the Suzuki factory. As the rumor
went around, it was implied that KTM couldn't re-
ally afford to keep both Roczen and Dungey in the
450cc class, and that Roczen felt as if he needed
a change anyway. The deal was done either late
in Supercross or early in motocross, and he and
his team at Red Bull KTM all knew he was
going to be moving on after the final
round of the AMA Nationals.
"It was really just, like I said, I
needed a change," Roczen said.
"And I've ridden and raced Su-
zuki basically my whole life, up
until KTM came along. So, that's
why I kind of preferred this team
to anyone else, because I know
the bike somewhat. It's been a
while, but [it feels like a Suzuki]. And
I thought I fit in good with the team and I
know they needed someone that's going to be in
the very front. I know they're working as hard as
they can, and I told them, 'Look, I'm going to put
in 110% effort in everything to get moto wins and
"COMING HERE, IT
THREW EVERYTHING
OFF. THE TRAVEL, THE
HEAT, THE SCHEDULE.
EVERYTHING."
