For 13 seasons, Ken Roczen has been a fixture in the 450 Supercross class, a rider whose talent has never been in question. With two AMA 450cc Motocross titles, two FIM WSX World Supercross championships, and a 2013 250cc West crown already on his resume, the German star has long been one of the sport's most decorated athletes. Yet, despite 28 career 450SX wins—good for 10th on the all-time list—the one prize that eluded him was the AMA Supercross 450cc championship. That all changed in 2026.
The final round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City delivered a title fight for the ages. Roczen entered the night holding the championship points lead, the red plate affixed to his Suzuki RM-Z450, with everything on the line. The pressure was immense, but the German rider rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion.
Launching off the gate in front of a sold-out crowd, Roczen wasted no time. He crossed the holeshot stripe in second position and seized the lead in the very next corner. With his title rival, Australia's Hunter Lawrence, breathing down his neck, Roczen responded with a masterclass in composure. He laid down the fastest lap of the Main Event, each circuit around the stadium floor a statement of determination and skill.
As the laps ticked down, the roar from the crowd built into a rolling wave of emotion. When the checkered flag finally waved, Roczen had not only won the race but secured the championship he had chased for over a decade. At 33 years old, he became the oldest rider ever to claim the 450cc Supercross title, a testament to his resilience and longevity in a sport that demands everything from its athletes.
The victory carried extra significance for Suzuki, whose RM-Z450 had been widely viewed as an underdog in the series. Roczen's championship run—his sixth year aboard the bike and fourth with Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear ECSTAR Suzuki—silenced critics and defied the odds. Against one of the deepest fields in modern Supercross history, Roczen proved that experience, heart, and an unyielding will to win can still triumph. For fans and fellow riders alike, it was a moment that will be remembered as one of the most emotional and memorable title fights the sport has ever seen.