Slaw
After months of speculation, we finally have an answer on Ken Roczen’s status for 2027.
HE’S BACK!
Late Thursday, Suzuki announced that Roczen will return to the AWM Fulfillment PMG Suzuki presented by Progressive/Cycle Gear team for the 2027 Supercross season to defend his 450SX title.
Over the last few months, Roczen had openly contemplated retirement. After sitting out the Pro Motocross season, the German admitted during the SMX Playoffs that the longer he was away from racing, the less he missed it.
“I kind of live day to day at the moment but I am taking a lot of things into consideration. Larry [Brooks, H.E.P. Motorsports Suzuki team manager] wasn’t there all year and he should be good to go for the entire season next year which would be really nice to do this thing together again. I know the fans would like to see me out there. Me personally, I have never actually been able to represent the number one really well. The one time I had it outdoors, and I never had it in Supercross. I am taking all those things into consideration. I think we are moving in the right direction.
“The longer I was away from racing the less I missed it. Of course I watched every single weekend but it was just fun for me to live a normal life for a little bit. But having said, it is exactly what I was hoping for, that when I do start racing again. Like right now, you just feel back in your element and you realize this is what you want to do. I’m not going to make the decision right now that I’m going racing next year but we are trending in the right direction. It helps just being here and being involved, it makes you want to do it more.”
At 32 years old, Roczen has already put together one of the most impressive résumés in the sport. He has 28 career 450SX victories, tied for ninth on the all-time list, and 88 podium finishes, fifth-most in premier-class history. He also has two Pro Motocross 450 titles, a 250SX West title, and, of course, the 2026 450SX championship that eluded him for more than a decade.
“Very excited to have Ken back on the team,” said Dustin Pipes, Team Principal, Pipes Motorsports Group. “This has been a great partnership with growth since the inception. Coming off the high of our Supercross Championship this past season, we were eager to extend the partnership and keep him in Suzuki yellow for the foreseeable future. Ken is a huge asset to the team not only as an athlete, but the example he sets as a consummate family man and the work he puts toward his craft are heights we all strive for.”
In 2026, Roczen collected five wins, 12 podiums, and 14 top-five finishes in 17 rounds on his way to the championship. Now, he’ll enter his fifth consecutive season with the Suzuki program, with the No. 1 plate on his bike and another championship in his sights.
And after what we witnessed in 2026, who’s betting against him doing it all over again?
