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

It’s hard not to like Ken Roczen – especially over the past year or two when the German superstar has very intentionally forged his own path in the sport. He’s railed against convention, raced whatever and wherever he liked, proved to be one of the only guys who could mix it with Australia’s Jett Lawrence on both Outdoor and SMX tracks, and he’s really enjoyed his racing in the process. That, and the fact Kenny won the inaugural Supercross World Championship title last year!

While it’s fair to say that American moto fans don’t always embrace foreign riders – in particular, those “crafty Europeans” – Roczen is now a fan favourite. But that wasn’t always the case. If you cast your mind back to 2011, Bible-belt America wasn’t quite sure what to make of Ken Roczen after then 17-year-old appeared in a Transmoto magazine feature looking like a punk-rocker in make-up!?

So, do yourself a favour and reacquaint yourself with the teenage Ken Roczen. It’ll make you appreciate who he is these days – essentially, the only German rider who’s ever made it in America – a whole lot more. And it’ll give you a sense for where Kenny’s maverick streak (and love affair with Suzuki) came from.

This feature article first appeared in Issue #10 (July, 2011) of Transmoto Dirt Bike Magazine. Check it out…