Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Ken Roczen

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ken Roczen made an impact.

Ken Roczen is a highly accomplished German-American professional motocross and supercross racer. His career highlights include the 2011 MX2 World Championship, two 450cc AMA Motocross Championships, the 2013 AMA Supercross 250cc West Championship, and two FIM World Supercross WSX Championships. He was also a part of the victorious German team at the 2012 Motocross des Nations, solidifying his place as a top competitor in the sport.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2009: Motocross World Championships

In 2009, Ken Roczen competed in the Motocross World Championships.

September 2010: Motocross Des Nations

On September 26, 2010, at Thunder Valley in Morrison, Colorado, Roczen placed 6th in race one and 3rd in race two at the Motocross Des Nations. A score of 9 granted him his first MX2 classification overall as well as a 3rd place finish for team Germany.

2011: AMA Supercross Championships and MX2 World Champion

In 2011, Ken Roczen started competing in the AMA Supercross Championships and became the MX2 World Champion.

2011: Motocross of Nations Appearance

In 2011, at the Motocross of Nations in Saint-Jean-d'Angély, France, Roczen made his third consecutive appearance, securing another MX2 overall classification. Germany finished 7th.

2012: Motocross des Nations

In 2012, Ken Roczen was a member of the winning German team at the Motocross des Nations.

2013: AMA Supercross 250cc West Champion

In 2013, Ken Roczen became the AMA Supercross 250cc West Champion.

2013: First European Des Nations since 2013

In 2013, Roczen participated in his first European Des Nations since 2013

2013: Return to Des Nations

In 2013, Roczen returned to Des Nations for the first time since 2013. Kenny placed 25th in race one and ninth in race three. This placed him 5th in the MXGP classification and team Germany 9th overall with 70 points.

2013: Supercross 250 West Championship Win

In 2013, Roczen won the Supercross 250 West Championship, finishing the season 2 points ahead of Eli Tomac.

2014: Move to 450cc Class and Championship Win

In 2014, Roczen moved to the 450cc class, joining Red Bull KTM Racing. He won his first 450 Supercross race at Anaheim I, and also won at Atlanta's Georgia Dome, ultimately finishing 3rd in the Supercross series. He then won the 2014 AMA Motocross Championship, defeating Ryan Dungey.

2015: Signing with RCH Suzuki and Monster Energy Cup win

In 2015, Roczen signed with RCH Suzuki. He failed to defend his Pro Motocross title, but won the 450-class Monster Energy Cup.

2016: Runner-up in Supercross and Second Motocross Title

In 2016, Roczen was runner-up in the AMA Supercross Championship with five wins. He then won his second AMA Motocross title with 9 wins.

2016: Second Motocross title

In 2016, Roczen won the AMA Motocross title for the second time, dominating with 9 wins.

2018: First Des Nations since 2013

In 2018, Roczen participated in his first Des Nations since 2013

2019: Supercross and Motocross Championship Results

In 2019, Roczen finished 4th in the Supercross Championship with four podiums and won the Motocross Championship opener in Hangtown, finishing 2nd overall with 7 podiums. He also won the RedBull Straight Rhythm in the 250cc class.

2020: Supercross Win and Season Interruption

On January 11, 2020, Ken Roczen won his first AMA Supercross race in three years in St. Louis. The season was interrupted due to COVID-19 after round 10 in Daytona on March 7, with Roczen trailing Eli Tomac by three points. The season resumed in Salt Lake City, where he collected one more win but finished 3rd overall.

2021: Supercross Championship Battle

In 2021, Roczen battled for the Supercross championship, managing 4 wins but finishing 2nd in the final point standings.

2023: High Point MX National Appearance

In 2023, Ken Roczen appeared for one race of the AMA Pro Motocross series, the High Point MX National, where he qualified fastest overall and finished 2nd overall on the day.

2023: Motocross Des Nations

In 2023, Ken Roczen participated in the Motocross Des Nations in Ernee, France, finishing 3rd in moto one and 2nd in moto two. He won the MXGP class overall and helped team Germany finish 4th.

2023: Return to Suzuki and Indianapolis Win

In 2023, Roczen returned to Suzuki for the AMA Supercross season, securing his first win for the HEP Suzuki team at round 9 in Indianapolis. He finished 4th in supercross after a DNF in Round 17.

2024: 2024 AMA Pro Motocross Rounds

In 2024, Ken Roczen raced two AMA Pro Motocross rounds: Unadilla, where he placed 7th overall, and Ironman, where he raced in the 250 class for the first time in over 10 years and finished 9th overall.

2024: 2024 AMA Supercross Season

In 2024, Roczen achieved six podiums in AMA Supercross, including a win in Glendale, Arizona. His season ended prematurely due to a catastrophic shock failure at the Nashville supercross, resulting in a broken tibia plateau, foot, and toe.

2024: 2024 Motocross Des Nations

In 2024, Roczen raced at the Motocross Des Nations at Matterley Basin in Winchester, England. He finished 6th in the Saturday qualifier, 10th in race 1, and 10th in race 2, placing 8th overall in the MXGP classification. Team Germany finished 6th.