Licks Cycles: KEN ROCZEN: ROCK ‘N’ ROLL ROOTS & MAKE-UP!

2 hours in the past | Phrases: Andy Wigan | Images: Andy Wigan

It’s laborious not to love Ken Roczen – particularly over the previous 12 months or two when the German celebrity has very deliberately cast his personal path within the sport. He’s railed in opposition to conference, raced no matter and wherever he favored, proved to be one of many solely guys who may combine it with Australia’s Jett Lawrence on each Out of doors and SMX tracks, and he’s actually loved his racing within the course of. That, and the actual fact Kenny received the inaugural Supercross World Championship title final 12 months!

Whereas it’s truthful to say that American moto followers don’t all the time embrace international riders – specifically, these “artful Europeans” – Roczen is now a fan favorite. However that wasn’t all the time the case. Should you forged your thoughts again to 2011, Bible-belt America wasn’t fairly positive what to make of Ken Roczen after then 17-year-old appeared in a Transmoto journal function trying like a punk-rocker in make-up!?

So, do your self a favour and reacquaint your self with the teenage Ken Roczen. It’ll make you recognize who he’s lately – primarily, the one German rider who’s ever made it in America – an entire lot extra. And it’ll provide you with a way for the place Kenny’s maverick streak (and love affair with Suzuki) got here from.

This function article first appeared in Subject #10 (July, 2011) of Transmoto Grime Bike Journal. Test it out…