RCH Soaring Eagle/Jimmy John’s/Suzuki Factory Racing’s Ken Roczen and Broc Tickle are ready to fight it out at the FMF Glen Helen National.
RCH Soaring Eagle/Jimmy John’s/Suzuki Factory Racing’s Ken Roczen and Broc Tickle are two tough hombres.
Last weekend, reigning Lucas Oil 450cc Pro Motocross Champion Roczen came into the opening round hampered by a serious back injury suffered during the week leading into the series-opening GoPro Hangtown Motocross Classic, and it was all he could do to complete both motos. Amazingly, after a pain-wracked 19th-place finish first moto, Roczen somehow managed to comeback strong and finish fifth in the second moto.
Afterward, there were questions as to whether Roczen would sit out the round two, the FMF Glen Helen National at Glen Helen Raceway in Southern California or if he would perhaps be forced to skip the entire outdoor season. However, after two solid days of practice this week, it has been confirmed that Roczen will be in the line-up this weekend at Glen Helen.
“My body is feeling a lot better,” Roczen said. “I rode Tuesday and Wednesday, and the back is no problem. The race last weekend should have been a couple of days later. That would have been way better for me. We got in some testing this week, and I think we have a little ways to go but we’re getting better day-by-day. I’m excited to actually ride this weekend with no pain.”
Roczen made his 450cc outdoor debut last year at Glen Helen, notching back-to-back runner-up finishes to net second overall and get on track to collect the 450cc class championship in his rookie season.
Tickle showed that he is tough simply by being able to wade through an entire supercross season and turn in a pair of solid performances in last weekend’s season-opener at Hangtown, where he finished sixth and eighth, respectively, for sixth overall. The Holly, Michigan, rider’s comeback to form is even more remarkable considering the near career-ending back injury that he suffered late in the 2014 supercross season. A long recuperation kept him away from the entire outdoor series that year.
None of Tickle’s previous professional starts at Glen Helen have come aboard a 450, though he has the experience of three previous 250cc starts there. Tickle said that he is really looking forward to racing at Glen Helen Saturday.
“I haven’t raced there since 2009 but I’ve always enjoyed it,” Tickle said. “Obviously, the track is a lot better for the National than it is during the week. We’ve been there a couple times getting ready and testing for the outdoor season and I felt good. Glen Helen is one of the more unique tracks we race on, with all the hills and the Southern California vibe.”
Tickle also said that he had a good week in practice, and he wants to build off the momentum that he gained at Hangtown.
“I saw a lot of positives at Hangtown,” Tickle said. “We just need to keep the ball rolling and take it race-by-race. I need to put myself in a situation where I can let my fitness show and show off the entire team’s hard work. Bottom line, I need to get a better start and run up front. This weekend should be fun.”
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