Dean Wilson apologises to Ken Roczen for Houston 3 450SX Main Event - 'I ruined your race'

By Andrew Hill on 24th Jan 21

AMA Supercross Dean Wilson Ken Roczen Houston

Dean Wilson has apologised to Ken Roczen after he "ruined" the Houston 3 450SX Main Event for the German ace.

Although the Houston 3 450SX Main Event wasn't action-packed, fans were treated to a final lap they'll never forget in Texas. But one that Wilson would desperately like to.

When the gate dropped, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Cooper Webb pulled the holey just ahead of Team Honda HRC's Roczen and as the first lap of the 450 Main played out Monster Energy Kawasaki's Adam Cianciarulo was in third, while two other title contenders, Justin Barcia and Eli Tomac were six seconds back in seventh and eighth respectively. Meanwhile, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna's Dean Wilson didn't get the start he would've wanted and was down in 17th place.

Roczen didn't waste any time with Webb, making a move on the inside after coming out of the rhythm section to take the lead. Barcia and Tomac would eventually make their way up but were too far back and could only catch fourth and fifth place respectively.

But it was the last lap where things got interesting. Roczen was leading Webb the margin was tight but with a second or so in hand for Kenny, baring a mistake, it looked like he had this one covered.

Surely we wouldn't see a repeat of Roczen losing out to Webb like the insanely close 2019 Arlington race where Webb passed Roczen on the line for the closest finish in Supercross history?

Well, the timing will show it wasn't anywhere near as close but it was as equally memorable.

As the seconds clicked down on the final two laps, Roczen and Webb came across backmarkers. Getting lapped, Dylan Ferrandis got out of the way of both riders. Seconds later and Roczen came up on the back wheel of Wilson.

A blue flag came out but Wilson appeared oblivious to it and Roczen couldn't get by. They go through the sand section and the camera is too tight to see if the marshall waved his blue flag. But Wilson goes by another waved blue flag he still looks to be unaware, while Roczen was expecting Deano to move out of the way.

We later learn that Roczen was screaming at Deano to move but couldn't make himself heard Roczen still can't make a pass. Wilson's pace means by now Webb is right on Roczen. Kenny hits the back of Deano's wheel on the stall wall and becomes slightly unbalanced.

With Wilson still in the way, Kenny elects to go wide into a corner and Wilson and Webb take the inside line it allows Coop to block Kenny's line for the lead.

There was no way at that point Coop was going to let it slip as he took his first win of the season, leaving Roczen furious with Deano at the side of the track.

team, which I would be too.

"I hate that I was that guy in the way and ruined a win and a race. I should have been more aware of who was behind me, I just got locked in on the guys ahead.

"You guys can tear me apart in the comments do what you gotta do.

"But I can't apologise enough for pretty much being the idiot of the race.

"Once again, I'm sorry.

"Sucks to be that guy... Dean."

At the end of the race, for Roczen, feelings were running hot and emotions were raw. "Part of me wants to punch a hole in the wall," he said after the race. "But Ive been practising my patience so Im going to keep it cool."

Later Roczen had calmed down and reflected with a little more positivity. "I think in past years I probably wouldve flipped out a little more, dont get me wrong I was mad, but it was what it was and I cant change it."

"Ive talked about it with my crew for 10-15 minutes and now its time to move on. Theres a lot of racing left. A couple of incidents have hurt me but Im not holding on to that."

What's next

Wilson and the rest of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross athletes head to Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium on January 30 where he and Roczen will hope to put this one behind them.

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