Ken Roczen reacts to his Houston 2 penalty

By Press Release on 20th Jan 21

AMA Supercross Ken Roczen Houston Chase Sexton

While 250SX East team-mate Jett Lawrence was delivering a win for Team Honda HRC at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, Ken Roczen suffered a disappointing night in the 450SX class.

It was a challenging evening for the premier-class riders on Hondas factory squad, as rookie Chase Sexton suffered a hard crash in the main event and wasnt able to finish, while Ken Roczen had to charge forward from a poor start in the 450SX main, working his way up from 14th place on lap one to fifth at the finish.

Also of note was an impressive podium finish by Muc-Off Honda rider Justin Brayton, who last year rode for Team Honda HRC.

Team Honda HRC Notes Houston 2

With just three days between the Houston 1 and Houston 2 rounds, Team Honda HRC spent the time at the stadium prepping the bikes for Tuesdays race. The riders enjoyed some downtime while keeping up with their regular workout schedules.

On Monday afternoon, Team Honda HRC did some final minor prep work on the bikes. The Showa technicians also serviced the suspension components.

Free practice saw Team Honda HRC riders Chase Sexton and Jett Lawrence finish on top in the 450SX and 250SX East classes, respectively.

Once again, Team Honda HRCs Ken Roczen participated in the opening ceremonies on Tuesday evening.

Sexton posted the second-fastest 450SX times in both qualifiers, with a best of 41.904, and Roczen was third- and fifth-fastest, with a best of 42.130. SmarTop/Bullfrog Spas/MotoConcepts Honda riders Benny Bloss, Vince Friese and Broc Tickle were 13th-, 16th-, and 19th-best, respectively, with times of 42.783, 42.962 and 43.361. Muc-Off Honda rider Justin Brayton had a 10th-best time of 42.459.

Sexton carried his qualifying speed into the night program, finishing first in 450SX heat race 1, whereas Roczen suffered a poor start in heat 2 and finished fifth. Brayton performed well, taking fifth place in heat 1. Bloss and Tickle were ninth and 19th in heat 2, respectively, while Friese took 20th in heat 1.

Sextons main-event crash occurred in the sand section, which claimed a number of victims. The Illinois native suffered a high-side on the corners exit and landed on his back on the face of a jump. Sexton was slow in getting up and took a trip to the Alpinestars Mobile Medical Unit to have an extremely painful right shoulder checked out. The initial exam was inconclusive, but Sexton was scheduled to have additional scans done on Wednesday. It is not yet known whether he Sexton will race on Saturday.

Following the race, Roczen was penalised four points for inadvertently jumping during a red cross flag. The team filed an appeal, but the penalty ultimately stood.

Roczen unofficially sat atop the 450SX points standings following the race, but his penalty dropped him to fifth with two of 17 rounds completed, just three points behind the leader. In the 250SX East class, Lawrences win moved him to third, four out of the lead.

What the riders said

Ken Roczen: "This was a bit of a tough one for us. We didn't get good starts again, which I have to figure out, and that made life on this kind of track very difficult. I came around in maybe 17th and had to fight my way up, eating roost the whole time.

"The track deteriorated very quickly and it was a long main event, but we made the most of it and salvaged fifth place. There was an incident with the red cross flag where I got docked four championship points, which Im in disagreement with, as my view to the flag was blocked by Dylan [Ferrandis].

"I think a warning or a fine wouldve been appropriate for the simple reason that I have never been involved in an incident with jumping on a red cross flag I just don't think the situation was as clear as they made it out to be.

"I'm a little bit frustrated about it because we wouldve had the red plate, but at the same time, it is what it is. We're just going to look forward to Saturday and make the best of it."

Chase Sexton: "The day started off pretty good. I had pretty good practice qualifiers and was second in both of them. I got my first heat-race win in my second race on a 450, which was good. In the main event, I got a good start and was really feeling good out frontin control and hitting my marks really well. I put a pretty good gap between myself and [Eli] Tomac but made a small mistake that cost me bighit the ground pretty hard.

"Im really sore and my right shoulder is pretty beat up. I hope to be back racing here soon and try to finish the job and get my first win."

With two AMA Supercross rounds already in the books, the riders and teams will remain in Houston a few more days, as round 3 takes place Saturday at the same venue. As was the case between the first two races, the track will be modified for the next round.

As of early Wednesday morning, Team Honda HRC was planning for some of its riders to practice on Thursday at the track of privateer racer and Houston local Vann Martin, depending on weather conditions.

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