Red Bull KTM’s teenage talent Ken Roczen will make a surprise debut in the Supercross class when the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, season heads east to Houston, Texas, this weekend.

The German rider has ridden the 350 SX-F periodically when out practicing with teammates Andrew Short and Mike Alessi, now set to make his race debut at just 16 years of age.

“I feel comfortable on the 350 SX-F and am excited to ride the bike and continue my training and racing when the series heads to the east coast,” commented Roczen.

“I didn’t want to stop racing just because the Lites series took a break and this is a way for me to continue to race and keep in shape.”

In addition to the training advantage, the team is looking forward to Roczen’s feedback on the new model.

“This is our first year racing the 350 SX-F in Supercross and we are eager to get feedback from all racers,” team manager Roger DeCoster said. “We know Ken very well and value his feedback on the models and know that his feedback along with Short and Alessi’s will help to improve this model to be at the top step of the podium.

“KTM is making aggressive moves into the motocross market and the more we can race the machines, the sooner we can see results.”

Roczen scored his first Lites podium at his fifth attempt last weekend in California at Anaheim 2.