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/923720
CN III VOICES W H A T Y O U A R E S A Y I N G "I actually now feel sorry for the other guys, and incredibly proud of Ken Roczen." Roczen's Return Every once in a while an injured rider comes along who reminds us again why professional motorcycle riders are different. The hype, the over commercial- ism, and the tackiness of Pro Supercross gets peeled back and we get to see something like what Ken Roczen showed us last night in Anaheim. I had that funny feeling a year ago—this guy was different. He would be back. If you listened real close, Roczen was reach- ing into himself, unfazed that he had suffered a horrific injury to his arm. Anyone with eyes, doctors and spectators alike, could not deny, after seeing his crash, or reading about the endless surgery that followed, that it was devastating. If he got some use back of his arm, he should hang it up, and call himself very, very lucky. Only a fool would think anything else. Except for Ken Roczen. He had different plans, a different goal. In my opinion, he saw it as a delay only, a serious delay that was going to take longer than normal, but it had not changed his brain whatso- ever. I sent him a quick note of support and admiration—many of us did. It's the least we could do. What followed was more and more bad news about the state of his arm, and what the doc- tors, and especially Roczen, were up against. It was awful. There wasn't talk about racing again; it was now about him not losing his arm entirely. But through it all, he (and probably Honda) seemed to know that his future was, perhaps, not over. Not yet. After Anaheim I, Ken Roczen has, in my opinion, already won the championship. How on earth has he overcome a career-ending injury only to return a year later, set the fast- est preliminary time, make the main, get knocked around and come up fourth overall? Are you kidding? Ken Roczen is not kidding. Or quitting. I actually now feel sorry for the other guys, and in- credibly proud of Ken Roczen. Jonathan Stickel Bruce Brown I saw "On Any Sunday" in a Theater in Bangkok, Thai- land in the summer of 1972. I was a crewmember on a KC-135 Tanker, on tempo- rary duty, refueling fighters striking targets in Vietnam. I had a couple of days off and rode the bus to Bang- kok to do a little sightsee- ing. I saw an ad for Bruce Brown's movie in the English language newspaper. I was the only American in the theater. When the camera cut to Mert Lawwill on the mile, the Thais went nuts! After the movie, the Thais wanted to show the lone American their bikes. I was racing Texas Cross Country in those days, so we had a lot to talk about. What a great time that was; pigeon English, gestures and smiles all around. The international brotherhood of motorcycle riders! 40 years later, I attended a charity BBQ at King Kenny Roberts' Ranch, where I met Mert Lawwill and asked him if he would take a photo with me. A guy that he was talking to got into the photo. It wasn't until he was introduced later by Kenny, that I learned he was Bruce Brown. Mark Lancaster Letters to the editor can be sent to voices@cyclenews.com. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the position of Cycle News. Letters should not exceed 150 words and are subject to editing. Anonymous letters won't be considered for publication and each letter should contain the writer's name, address and daytime phone number… Editor P6