News 9 Mar 2022

Health issues force indefinite Supercross pause for Roczen

Demanding schedule moves likeable CRF450R rider to withdraw.

Image: Octopi Media.

Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen will put an indefinite pause on his 2022 Monster Energy Supercross campaign as health issues continue to plague the number 94’s performance.

Roczen admittedly suffered from the effects of sickness again late last year, but seemingly rebounded to take the season-opening race victory at Anaheim 1 before his results declined.

The decision to withdraw from competition, for the time being, comes into effect from this Saturday’s round 10 at Detroit and was made by Roczen, his team, and his family after the demanding racing schedule further complicated his health struggles.

“The continued support of Honda is just second to none,” Roczen explained. “I couldn’t be more appreciative of how we work together as partners and make these decisions together, even when they’re really difficult. I owe them a championship, and that’s my focus going forward.”

Unfortunately, much of Roczen’s career of late has suffered from illness, dealing with the effects of the Epstein-Barr virus after recovering from serious injuries in 2017 and 2018, before sitting out the entirety of 2020 Pro Motocross. The sickness that struck at the end of last year is reportedly unrelated, however, was compounded when he caught Covid-19 after San Diego.

Roczen currently sits ninth in the 2022 450SX points standings, with no indication provided as to when he will make a return to competition.

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