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/434045
INTERVIEW 2014 CYCLE NEWS RIDER OF THE YEAR KEN ROCZEN P58 times. But I think it's just because I'm just myself. I treat everyone the same. I just try and be me all the time instead of trying to please people. And I think I fit good in this country. I love it here and I've been happy. I don't want it to sound cocky at all, but I don't feel like I ever do anything bad, and I'm always nice to everyone not because I want them to like me, but because that's just how I am. So, if somebody doesn't like me, it's like, 'All right, well, cool bro!' [Laughs] It is what it is. But yeah, I've been very happy. And I honestly feel like I've lived here my whole life, for some reason, and it's only been three years. I like hanging out with people and I have a lot of friends here, too, so I feel like I just fit in and I feel like I've never been anywhere else." dad, but I think if he wasn't as unique as he is, I wouldn't be where I am right now." Suddenly by himself, Roczen had to grow up fast. "It was so hard, because I didn't talk to my dad for months," Roczen said. "You think it doesn't bother you, but it is there. It's just not a comfort- able feeling. There's nothing better than having no worries, and when you're with your family, every- thing is good. Not having family around is a differ- ent kind of worry from anything else." But the biggest adjustment for Roczen came dur- ing the 2013 season. Still just 18 years old (almost 19 at the time), Red Bull KTM team manager Roger DeCoster and Roczen's father were butting heads. DeCoster wanted Roczen to work harder on his fit- ness, and Roczen's dad was apparently a little bit too insistent on making sure his son took the time to party and enjoy himself. In the end, DeCoster won, making a new rule that Roczen's dad had to be out of the picture when it came to racing. Roczen's dad went home to Germany, and Roczen was without any family for the first time in his life. "Dude, that was such a hard time," Roczen said. "I got into fights with my dad and he left. It wasn't an easy time. You know, you can say what you want about my dad, because he's a very unique LEARNING CURVES Coming from Europe, Roczen had to learn a lot, and fast. First, there was Supercross, and adjust- ing to bikes set up for the unique obstacles that Supercross presents. "The bikes from Europe to here are way differ- ent," Roczen said. "The mufflers, back then at least, they were way louder here. The whole en- gine setting was different. The gearing was differ- ent. The suspension was stiff as f—- It's not even comparable, honestly. It's like going from road (Above) Roczen fights back tears of joy the moment he realized that the 450 outdoor title was his. (Right) Roczen prepares for the 2015 season on his new RCH/ Soaring Eagle Suzuki Team.