Slaw
Will Ken Roczen defend his 450SX title in 2027? That seems to be the question on everyones mind and something Ken himself isn’t sure of at the moment.
Since winning his first career 450SX title in May, Ken has been on the fence about whether he wants to return for next year. A new deal with the H.E.P. Motorsports Suzuki team is apparently on the table, but according to multiple reports, has yet to be signed by Ken.
On Friday, in the pre-race press conference ahead of round 2 of the SMX World Championship Playoffs, Ken was asked directly about next year.
“Honestly, for me it was just getting racing again,” he said in the pre-race press conference on Friday. “I enjoyed last weekend and I am excited for this weekend and next weekend as well. I was hoping and I feel like this is what kind of gets me back in the swing of things. Obviously, after the big deal of the championship, it was nice to take some time off. I was battling with that question but I didn’t give myself much time to think about it. I was busy but also I was kind of dreading that question a little bit!
“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.”
Not that anyone cares, but I think we see Ken return in 2027… what about you: will Ken be back to defend?
