Every Garage Needs One

Details

The Tusk Lift Stand is an excellent addition to your shop or garage. Whether you are storing your bike between rides, doing regular maintenance or a complete rebuild, the Tusk Lift Stand is the best choice. This lift stand has a durable and strong steel frame and includes a rubber non-slip top pad to keep your bike in place. The supplied wheels make it easy to move around the shop and they can easily be locked to keep it in place. Simply lift your bike onto the stand, secure it from the foot pegs with the supplied hooks, and use the pedal on the hydraulic jack to lift the bike with ease. A safety rod is also included to lock the stand in place when it is lifted. When looking for parts and accessories for your ATV, dirt bike, or UTV, think TUSK!

• Tusk Scissor Lift Stand is great for doing maintenance or storing your motorcycle.
• Hydraulic jack for ease of lifting and lowering your motorcycle.
• Made of strong and durable Q235 steel.
• Safety pin for a secure stand.
• Top Plate dimensions are 16"x13.75".
• Adjustable height from 13.75"-34" inches.
• Maximum weight capacity 300 lbs.
• Locking wheels make it easy to move around the shop.

www.tuskoffroad.com 

Vialle Thrives in Return to MXGP

By Eric Johnson - May 9, 2026

A two-time FIM MX2 world champion, as well as a two-time 250SX East Division Monster Energy AMA Supercross champion, Tom Vialle has once again found his way back into the FIM Motocross World Championship. When the Honda HRC Petronas MXGP team came calling, the Frenchman eagerly signed up.

“When I found out Honda HRC were interested in signing me, I knew that I wasn’t going to get a better opportunity,” said Vialle. And so far, so good for the Honda CRF450R pilot. Five rounds in, Vialle is third in the point standings, the winner of the MXGP of Switzerland and a podium finisher in Argentina and Trentino, The next stop for the 25-year-old will be the MXGP of France, set for the Lacapelle-Marival circuit on May 24.

“We have five weeks off. After the last GP, I went on a break for a week in Florida. That was nice just to take one week away from the bike, you know? It’s a long season," he said.

Vialle currently trails Lucas Coenen and Honda HRC Petronas teammate Jeffrey Herlings in the standings. He's looking forward to his home race as a chance to close in on his title rivals.

“The French GP is one of the best of the series,” said Vialle. “We are pretty lucky in France. We have a lot of fans coming to the race every year. It’s actually been quite a while for me to be in a big race. The last time I raced that big of a race was probably the Motocross des Nations in 2023 in Ernee. It would be nice to be back and see all the fans that obviously I have not seen for the last three years. It’s a big race for me and hopefully ready to do good and hopefully we can be on the podium or fight for the win. That’s the goal.”

His professional career launched in the MXGP MX2 classification in 2019 and in a relatively short amount of time, Vialle has gleaned a terrific amount of racing knowledge from basically competing in a two front war between Europe and the USA.

“Yeah, it is weird in a way and good in a way,” explained Vialle of his around-the-world approach. “Three years in the USA is a long time and not a long time. I feel like it was pretty easy to get back used to racing in the GPs. That is really something that I was used to. I was a little bit surprised. I thought that maybe I needed some time to adapt again. No, from the first GP this year, I was really back into feeling the GP weekend. It’s a long weekend with both days riding and competing, but it has been good. The adaptation has been good. I was a little be scared of that. I also remember the tracks pretty good and that was nice to see.”

And in only his third GP with his new team Vialle won the MXGP of Switzerland at the sweeping Frauenfeld-Gachnang circuit.

“Yeah, it was excellent,” he enthused. “It was a little bit of a weird circumstance with Jeffrey Herlings and Lucas Coenen having bike issues, but that’s part of the race. I was good in both motos and it was actually nice to win my first overall MXGP race after only three races. It was really early in the season and I didn’t really expect to win a GP that early.

"I’m really happy with the team and the bike. Honda, I feel like it’s something special. I’ve been a KTM rider since day one and since my first GP. After everything I’ve done with them in the 250 class in Europe and back in the U.S., I didn’t feel like they were pushing for me in the 450 class. And getting those offers, especially the one from Honda, was excellent. I mean, I’ve seen Chase Sexton and Cooper Webb and everyone was struggling with the KTM in the 450 class. Especially in the whoops and stuff. I was really excited to try the Honda and the contract and everything was good. I signed that Honda deal because of the way the team is and the way the bike is. I know the Japanese are working really hard on this new bike that I’m riding. And yeah, I was really happy to move to the 450 class and I think with one of the best bikes right now. So that is what pushed me to sign with Honda.

“I mean, I was really happy with my 250 career,” explained Vialle. “I won four titles and I was really closing that chapter of my career and my goal was to have the best bike and the best team. I was trying to have the best setup to move to the 450 class. The 450 class is gnarly. There are a lot of good guys and you need that good stuff with you to make it happen. That was really my first goal. And Honda brought a long-term deal and they really push and they were really motivated to have me in the team, that’s why I signed with them. So far I’m pretty happy with the decision.

“With Honda, it is a lot different than KTM. Even with the way you have to ride the bike. The team and the way the team is working is also a lot different. This is something really new and I think I’m the one who can really talk about Europe and the U.S. With KTM I have seen both sides. The way Honda is working and testing and all that stuff is a lot different than what I was used to with KTM. Yeah, we have a lot of options. We are racing the prototype 2027 Honda. We have testing and making the bike better. Every other month we are trying to have some updates and to make the bike better. So far it has been good.”

As the 2025 250SX East Division Monster Energy AMA Supercross champion, does Vialle feel the fierce and ultra-competitive nature of supercross has been advantageous to his MXGP move?

“I think so,” replied the Frenchman. “I think the supercross and the training has been helpful, especially in the motos and in timed practice. A lot of small things since I have been back to MXGP are a little bit better. So yeah, I believe supercross is a big help and that’s why I will continue racing supercross this winter.

"So yeah, I’m pretty excited and I want to keep that in my program. I think training in supercross is a big help for outdoors. I think a lot of people forget that this is my first year in the 450 class, so I need time to adapt to the bike. It’s not easy, you know? All those guys –Jeffrey Herlings, Tim Gajser, Romain Febvre – they have been there in the class for years and years and I’m trying to fight with them and be up there with them.”

Being teammates again with Herlings in the 2026 MXGP division is also a positive for Vialle.

“I mean, with Jeffrey we always had a good relationship,” he said. “We were teammates for four years when I was in Europe. We are pretty good with each other. We train sometimes together. Also for me, having Jeffrey is probably the best teammate you can have to learn from. I can see what he does and why he is so good. I’m trying to learn every weekend and see what he does and hopefully that can help me for my future.

For all his success, at 25 years in age, Vialle is young for MXGP, which also positions him well.

“I feel like in the last couple of years [riders] are getting good at 32 or 33 years old. So if you see it like that, yeah, I have many years ahead of me," he said. "I’m trying to get better every week.”

Honda Fake Clutch...Why?

Honda patents fake clutch for electric motorcycles and it might actually make sense

One of the biggest advantages of electric motorcycles has always been their simplicity. No clutch, no gears, no stalling – just twist the throttle and go. They’re basically big, fun scooters, at least in terms of operation. But Honda appears to think there’s still something worth preserving from the old-school riding experience, especially for off-road riders.

A newly revealed Honda patent shows the company developing a simulated electronic clutch system for electric motorcycles, complete with torque-boost launches and even haptic feedback designed to mimic the feel of a combustion engine.

And surprisingly, it might not be as gimmicky as it first sounds.

The patent is illustrated on Honda’s CR Electric Proto motocross bike, the same electric dirt bike concept the company has been quietly developing for competition use. Instead of using a traditional mechanical clutch, the system uses electronics to alter how the motor responds based on clutch lever position.

Pull the clutch halfway in, and the system proportionally reduces motor output. Pull it fully, and power is cut entirely, regardless of throttle position. But the more interesting part is how Honda intends to recreate the behavior riders actually use clutches for.

According to the patent as reported by AMCN, riders could preload the throttle while holding in the clutch lever, then rapidly release the lever to trigger a burst of torque – essentially simulating the hard launches motocross riders rely on with gas bikes.

Honda believes that could be useful in competitive riding situations where precise power modulation matters, especially on loose terrain or during aggressive starts.

Honda also appears to be working on recreating the feel of a gas bike, not just the control inputs. The patent describes multiple vibration motors placed in the handlebars and near the clutch lever to provide haptic feedback that simulates engine vibration and even the “bite point” sensation of a clutch engaging.

In other words, Honda may be trying to make an electric dirt bike feel mechanically alive, or at least the old-school idea of what a breathing dirt bike used to feel like.

 

Electrek’s Take

I’ll admit that my knee-jerk reaction to fake clutches and simulated transmissions on electric motorcycles has usually been, “Why?”

One of the best things about electric motorcycles is that they eliminate much of the mechanical baggage. But motocross may actually be one of the few places where a simulated clutch might make a bit of sense. I get that it’s long been an integral part of power delivery in performance riding like that, though the beauty of electric motorcycles is that you can drop that insane torque with the same twist of the wrist you’d use to carefully modulate just a bit of power on takeoff. Those who come of age on electric motorcycles learn this to be intuitive, though I can see how riders switching from combustion engines to electric motors might be helped by a system that feels more familiar to them.

Off-road riding often relies heavily on precise power control and explosive launches, and many riders have developed decades of muscle memory around clutch use. Recreating some of that behavior electronically could offer real performance benefits while still keeping the advantages of an electric drivetrain.

Sure, I still find it to be slightly gimmicky, but it comes in a well-engineered solution that might have some purpose. And if manufacturers are going to simulate old-school motorcycle behavior, Honda’s approach at least seems more thoughtful than simply adding fake gears for nostalgia’s sake.

What Will Prado Bring Outdoors?

What we can expect from Jorge Prado outdoors

Competition Post: Kane Taylor

Four-time world champion an unknown in Pro Motocross 2026.

In what will be his second term of Pro Motocross and despite an underwhelming debut last year, four-time world champion Jorge Prado has the pedigree to challenge the very best outdoors. To date in 2026, his move to Red Bull KTM has proven successful in 450SX, which leaves genuine questions regarding his ceiling in 450MX.

Last year’s disaster at Kawasaki is all but a distant memory following the 25-year-old’s stellar Monster Energy Supercross campaign this season, inclusive of four heat race victories, two pole positions, and a standout podium finish at the season-opener in Anaheim.

It’s the stadium-based form we were somewhat expecting last year, before a shoulder injury at Anaheim 2 sidelined him altogether indoors. Still, anticipation was high for the multiple MXGP champion outdoors, where he was tipped to be a front-runner onboard the Kawasaki KX450SR – something that ultimately didn’t materialize.

 Importantly, he did contest the full Pro Motocross season, with a best result of P5 at Southwick and Ironman, gaining valuable familiarity with the tracks and the single-day American race format. Prado also went up against the likes of Jett and Hunter Lawrence, as well as Eli Tomac, offering a clear indication of the level required.

All of that brings us to 2026, where a significantly improved Supercross attempt, a familiar KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION platform, and added Pro Motocross experience combine to position him as a genuine wildcard in terms of winning potential.

A wildcard to the extent – again, given his pedigree – that Prado could surprise a lot of people come the Fox Raceway opener, with a winning performance not entirely out of the question.

Add in the current landscape – defending champion Jett is returning from injury, Hunter may feel the effects of a draining 450SX title fight, and Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) enters as a rookie. Suddenly, the door opens for Prado to be a far more competitive force than what we saw in 2025.

There are also question marks elsewhere. The 2024 450MX champion Chase Sexton is still adapting to the Monster Energy Kawasaki KX450SR himself, while Red Bull KTM teammate Tomac has shown a slight dip in form in recent weeks between an injury that had him sidelined.

The point is this – it’s all there in front of Prado. Whether that translates into a championship charge remains to be seen, but the potential is undeniable.

As mentioned, the credentials are obvious in two MX2 world titles (2018, 2019), followed by premier class crowns in 2023 and 2024, underline that he knows what it takes to win at the highest level. That’s something that only a handful of riders in 450MX can claim.

It almost feels like a reset in 2026, with last year a distant and unusual chapter for Prado. Still, he now enters with a full season of track knowledge, which shouldn’t be underestimated. Also, don’t forget that he is far more established outdoors than he is in Supercross, and under the lights, he has already shown flashes of matching the very best.

That spells some concern for the competition in Pro Motocross, and combined with his lightning ability off the start line, he does present at the very least a thorn in their side.

Where does all this leave him? Somewhere in the wildcard territory, but one with the tools to become much more. And if it clicks, he won’t just be part of the conversation – he might be the conversation once the championship wraps up at Ironman on August 30.

Ken Roczen: What’s next?

 

Thirteen years. Thirteen long years chasing this dream. Thirteen years marked by injuries, doubts, disappointments and the constant feeling that fate stubbornly refused to let Ken Roczen get his hands on that highly coveted title. And yet, in 2026, the German finally did it. At last.

At 32 years old, after an already remarkable career, Ken Roczen secured the AMA Supercross 450 title. An achievement that now raises a question: what more can he realistically aim for?

Because Roczen’s story is not that of a champion who followed a straightforward path. It looks more like a succession of challenges and rebirths: the youngest MX2 world champion, the move to the United States, the first AMA championships, the horrific 2017 injury, the rebuilding years, leaving Honda, and then the Suzuki gamble…

Season after season, Ken Roczen became a credible contender again after returning to Suzuki, and then a genuine title challenger. In 2026, all the stars finally aligned. Almost against all expectations and he has become the oldest Supercross champion ever.

Now that he has the title in hand, Ken Roczen could decide to walk away at the perfect moment, such is the sense of a fairytale ending. The German rider himself admits that he needs time to think and had already considered retiring if he ever won the championship. Today, the circle is complete. What is really left for him to achieve?

Appearing on the latest PulpMX show, Ken Roczen was naturally asked about the subject. The German rider had also been picked up by microphones telling Hunter Lawrence on the night of his title celebration in Salt Lake City: “You’re next… me, I’m done.”

“It’s true, I said that [to Hunter],” admitted Ken Roczen. “Honestly, I still don’t know. I need time to think. I would never make a decision like that after going through 17 crazy weekends in a row because right now, I’m pretty burned out. I need to take a step away from it and let a few weeks pass. Deep down, I still love riding, but racing takes a lot out of you.

“In recent years, fighting for a title seemed so unlikely, so far away, that I couldn’t really focus on it. I hadn’t been in a championship battle for a very long time. My goal was to win a race again, then be capable of winning another one and putting together good results over several weekends in a row. That’s exactly what I managed to do this year.

“I told my wife that if one day all the stars aligned and I won a title, then that would be it for me. At the time, I truly meant it, because winning seemed almost unreal back then. It was more of a dream than anything else… Even at the start of the season, when I was riding well, the title still felt very far away because there are so many obstacles to overcome.

“Now, I’m a champion. You also have to look at things differently. If I was 25 years old and said I wanted to retire after winning this title, I’d understand people telling me: ‘You’re crazy, you’re young, you’re riding amazingly, keep going!’ But now I’m 32. And I also told my wife that maybe it would be a good thing to walk away while I’m still in one piece and healthy. There are a lot of things to take into consideration. Right now, I just don’t know.”

Roczen has a decision to make. But the two options probably are to retire or comeback for another season and run the #1 plate in 2027!

Who Gets The $100K ?

Jett Lawrence details rehab for complicated foot and ankle injury

Roczen explains his key start and pass on Hunter Lawrence

 Ken Roczen has given a detailed breakdown on the three key decisions that led to him being crowned 2026 AMA Supercross champion; a new engine, his gate pick choice and the quick pass on Hunter that all added up to perfection on a night that required nothing less to be crowned champion.

Speaking on the Title 24 podcast with Ricky Carmichael and Ryan Villopoto, two guys that know exactly how hard it is to win a title and what Ken was going through, Roczen gave an amazing insight into what was going through his head at the time with astounding clarity.

On the different engine chosen for the final round Ken revealed: “After Denver I was surprised what the altitude did to the motorcycles, I hadn’t been there the last two years, I was hurt. The last time I was there was 23 and it kind of fades a little bit (memory of the power reduction).

“We went to Salt Lake City with an engine package I had tried in the off-season with more power, more-so different power but it was too fast for me and I wasn’t able to ride it the same and I went back to what I knew, but it came in handy. I am a little bummed I didn’t think about that coming into Denver but it was also hard because we were doing amazing, I was comfortable and we did little tiny adjustments to help that we did in ’23 as well.
But when you are splittling hairs and Hunter is so good, I didn’t want to leave it up to a guessing game because it was all or nothing on the weekend and I wanted to go for it (and use the more powerful engine).

On the having the eighth gate pick and choosing to go beside the box on the outside, Roczen said: “There was a constant debate throughout the day, I was talking to my dad too and watching the heat race starts. Inside is normally the safer bet, we know that, but also, it all bunches up on the inside and tighter turns. I told my dad it doesn’t matter if you go there (inside) or outside the box because if you get a good jump you are good either way but if you get a bad jump you are screwed either way.

“Once Hunter lined up, I had eighth gate pick which wasn’t ideal, and looking at the ruts, I could have went inside Hunter and the rut wasn’t great, and on the right side of the box I had two ruts, and one was quite a bit better. I felt like that gave me my best option, because I had faith that if I had a decent rut I am pretty sure I can get a good jump. And then sometimes when you are in the middle and next to the box you have a little bit of room even you don’t get the best start, you can swim around the first turn a lot better. “

“You have Hunter, great starter, Jorge, great starter, Cooper, great starter so you have 5/6 guys all next to each other, all great starters, so for you to get a good start, you have to be really good. I was out there with a bit of room to my left, not having to start around five guys that are insane starters, I had trust this was giving me better odds.”

On the biggest pass of his career Roczen remembers exactly why he made the move in that moment: “Hunter came over on me just a little bit (in the first turn), which is to be expected, I would have done the same thing. But then the angle was just right to where I was on the left side of him and I could square it up and I’m like, ‘it is now or never.’ I knew it was risky to do it early on but it was now or never so I did it, and I do believe that move changed the entire narrative of which way that main could have gone, if I would have let him go first around that turn.”

Prado...Fast or Dirty?

Seems to be a lot of negative vibes around four-time world motocross champion, Jorge Prado of late with the Red Bull KTM factory rider getting fined last weekend for an aggressive action against three time AMA supercross champion, Cooper Webb, after finishing third on the podium.

Prado was fined after he “violated the code of conduct by using an obscene hand gesture during the competition.” The Spaniard gave a gesture to Webb as they crossed the finish line, then made a hand movement, that looked like he was pulling back to throw a punch at Webb.

The AMA then came out with the official news on the move by Prado: Race Direction reviewed an incident involving Rider #26 (Prado) and Rider #1 (Webb) in section 8 after the finish line. After review, it was determined that Rider #26 (Prado) violated the code of conduct by using an obscene hand gesture during the competition. Rider #26 (Prado) was assessed one rider license point and a fine.

On the incident, Prado didn't hold back on his opinion of the incident and he wasn't happy with Webb. Lets all not forget, Cooper Webb doesn't mind taking riders out on occasion, so maybe Prado has a point?

“I’m always the guy that’s taking out, I never take him out. So, he is going pretty aggressive with me, but like I said the other weekend, if he has a 20 minutes plus a lap to pass me and he decides always to go aggressive. If he was faster, he would have passed me before, like all of the other riders. I just focus on myself and hopefully next year I’m a bit better, so I don’t need to be fighting with him and being up front.”

Now, for starters, Prado is without question, one of the most talented riders in the sport, and his world titles say enough. His performances in his two MXGP titles showed that he was the fastest man in Europe for two years and his MX2 titles back up those 450 stats.

In AMA supercross, Eli Tomac, Hunter Lawrence, Ken Roczen and Cooper Webb have been outspoken in his dangerous moves and nobody in MXGP is too surprised by their comments.

When Prado left Europe a couple of years ago, he WAS the man to beat, and that says something when you consider, two legends in Jeffrey Herlings and Tim Gajser couldn’t match his pace. His victories were often solid and very clean.

However, the Spaniard has come under fire from a bunch of riders in AMA supercross and Antonio Cairoli, Romain Febvre, Jeffrey Herlings and many others in MXGP have had difficulties with him. Is it time for Prado to actually look at these comments and try and correct his racing attitude, or, does he have the right to race how he feels?

See below the time Prado crossed jumped Herlings in Germany a few years ago, a crash that could have been a lot worse than it was and was 100% Prado's fault, despite the Spaniard giving a soft comment that he wasn't at fault.

Following the dramatic mid-air collision after the checkered flag in the first moto of the 2021 MXGP of Germany, Jeffrey Herlings was highly critical of Jorge Prado’s maneuver. The incident, occurring at the finish line, saw Prado drift into Herlings, resulting in a severe crash where Prado injured his armpit, requiring surgery and causing him to miss the second moto.

Jeffrey Herlings: Yeah, we all know he’s (Prado) not the most easy rider to pass and defends his line. There’s nothing wrong with that… but cross jumping, hmm, I don’t know if that’s the most safe thing to do. I was already over the jump and he came from left to right and then we both went down.

Known for cross jumping, block passing and at times dangerous moves, it is clear, Jorge is fighting for his place on the track and maybe we should respect his determination, but motocross or supercross is a dangerous sport, and riders safety is the most important aspect.

Hunter Lawrence had similar opinions of Prado and his knack of block passing riders: I mean, he pulled aside for Eli and then he tried to — not brake check me — but slow me down there. If he’s just coming back to get in the way then I’m gonna give him some body English, you know? Maybe Jett will come back and do the same.

AI came up with this analysis of his style of defending his place on the track

Prado is generally considered a highly skilled, intelligent rider who is tough to pass rather than "dirty," though his aggressive defensive lines and tendency to cross-jump under pressure have drawn criticism and labels of being dangerous from competitors. Critics note he often uses the full track and fails to check for other riders, which can cause dangerous situations.

Defensive Style: Experts like Ryan Villopoto and Ricky Carmichael have stated there is no "dirty" intent, but rather that Prado is intelligent and difficult to pass, refusing to yield positions easily."

Dangerous" vs. "Dirty": Some observers suggest his issues stem from inexperience in Supercross traffic, leading to accidental cross-jumping, rather than intentional "dirty" riding, though this distinction provides little comfort to those he nearly causes to crash.

Controversy: Incidents, such as a collision with Cooper Webb, have sparked debate, but they are often viewed as racing incidents by professionals.

Traffic Management: He has been criticized for not keeping his line and cutting off other riders, which has drawn complaints from fellow riders in the MXGP and Supercross circuits.

In summary, he is seen as an incredibly fast and aggressive competitor who is difficult to pass, which can lead to tense moments, but he is not widely deemed to be maliciously breaking rules.

What we all are looking forward to, is his performances outdoors this year, because the four time world champion, will without question be up front, and back on the KTM outdoors, he might end up putting egg on all the faces of those who question him.

Perhaps the Best SX Season Ever!

The Salt Lake City Supercross finale was a shocker before the gate dropped; Ken Roczen and Hunter Lawrence were not championship favorites. Yet they produced the closest points battle in 20 years.

By Brett Smith 

Someone’s heart was going to get crushed. We had an entire week to prepare for it. Before the race, Ken Roczen and Hunter Lawrence sat together at a table, microphones in hand. A reporter asked if they had prepared for the loss one of them, inevitably, would have to face.

Roczen didn’t allow the interviewer to finish; he picked up the microphone and curtly barked, “Life goes on.” He quickly set down the mic, indicating the end of that conversation and gave a tight-lipped smile.

Lawrence laughed and maybe wishes he had thought of that response first. He echoed Roczen but with more words:

“Obviously, you still wake up the next day. One pays a lot more than the other but that’s racing, there’s only one winner… Life goes on. You go back to work.”

An Unlikely Matchup

Nobody saw this coming; a winner-take-all championship finale between Hunter Lawrence, who had yet to win a race (or complete all 17 rounds) and Ken Roczen, who had been trying to win this number one plate for 13 seasons.

The 2026 Supercross Championship was a matchup between two of the most likable and root-for-worthy athletes in motorsports. Yet also completely unexpected; Roczen had long missed his chance and Lawrence had yet to establish himself as the guy.

Or so we thought.

Both riders traveled (figuratively and literally) through hell to get to the starting line for the May 9 event in Rice-Eccles Stadium. Roczen’s entire career (and left arm) was nearly lost in Jan. 2017 when a severe compound fracture in his radius and ulna (and a dislocated elbow and fractured scaphoid) resulted in a dozen surgeries, the first of which was to simply save the limb. "We were fixing his arm so he could eat dinner, not so he could ride again,” Dr. Randy Viola told ESPN in 2018 of that first operation.

Roczen’s rebuild was a two-forward-one-backward journey; shattered metacarpals in his right hand just six races into his 2018 comeback, then several seasons of dealing with the Epstein Barr Virus that sometimes still leaves him feeling “lifeless”.

But he had positives: marriage, kids, a return to winning in 2020, American citizenship, and a switch back to a Suzuki team willing to build around his needs and lifestyle. At that point in his life he was reaching for something he feared had become impossible.

“I was just trying to grasp on to something to be halfway good again,” Roczen said of searching for new opportunities at the end of 2022. “I wasn’t anywhere near championship material.”

Until, improbably, he was.

Hunter Lawrence’s slog to become a Supercross championship contender started in Brisbane, Queensland but went through many adventures in Europe where finances got so thin the family rationed cans of tuna and jars of peanut butter.

They had sold everything in Australia and plan B didn’t exist. Injuries, however, came in quicker than win bonuses. Hunter was 17 and living in Germany with Heiko Klepka (Roczen’s father) when Kenny suffered the devastating arm injury. The Lawrence family moved to America at the end of 2018 and Hunter intently watched Roczen’s rebuild. Maybe it helped, because he had to do the same himself.

Setbacks and surgeries piled up: knees, collarbones, shoulders, labrum, scapula. Entire seasons missed, the future was reconsidered.

“It’s kind of like house money because you almost get to the point where you’ve accepted walking away from it.” Hunter said the day before the SLC SX, speaking to the fact that he had once come close to giving up on racing. “But to rebuild yourself is cool.”

Against The Odds

Lawrence wasn’t a title favorite entering 2026 but he was a likely option to become the 70th different winner in 450SX history. Roczen was so far down the title favorite list that oddsmakers had him at +1402 in pre-season betting (a $100 bet on Roczen for champion would yield a $1402 payout). For reference, Lawrence was +311 and Eli Tomac was +240.

To further build the case against Roczen (now 32): the record for most seasons before winning a title was seven (Tomac, 2020) and the average is 3.1; Also, no rider past the age of 30 had ever won a premier class championship. Roczen had only completed a full season six times.

Roczen and Lawrence rolled into Ski City separated by one point and the most evenly matched box scores ever–5 wins, 12 podiums and 14 top five finishes each. Lawrence’s clear advantage was a better starting position average, but Roczen had led more laps throughout the season.

That consistency set up the first winner-take-all finale since 2006 when eventual champion Ricky Carmichael came to Las Vegas tied in points with Chad Reed. And that once-in-a-generation situation came two decades after a tied-up 1985 showdown was settled in the Rose Bowl.

Curiously, none of the riders involved in these scenarios actually won the race, not Carmichael, not Reed nor names you might only distantly remember, such as Jeff Ward and Broc Glover. Not even Ken Roczen and Hunter Lawrence.

Life Goes On

In the end, both riders struggled. One admitted he was “an emotional wreck”, the other asked “a little too much of the front end coming into corners.” Lawrence and Roczen came through the first corner of the main event together. Roczen made a gutsy and aggressive passe in turn two. It felt like script writers were orchestrating the outcome with the purpose of maximizing emotions.

Roczen and Lawrence stayed hooked for 10 laps; no mistakes, no strikes for position. They matched each other, dared each other to make a mistake. Lawrence was the first to get bit. On lap 11, with his childhood rival Jorge Prado close behind, Lawrence went off the course, an error that gave Roczen just a skosh of breathing room. Twenty seconds later Lawrence hit the ground, an unforced error. He got up, ran into another rider, fell again, like a bad dream you’re desperately trying to escape.

It seemed like it was over, checkmate Roczen. But with more than half the race to go, and the accumulation of hardships and heartaches Roczen experienced for 10 years hovering invisibly overhead, the feelings of doubt and disbelief remained heavy.

Ken Roczen celebrates his SMX world Championships win

© Garth Milan

For Roczen, who stayed flawless for 22 laps before a swarm of non-championship competitors overtook him, “Every lap felt like a championship last lap,” the roar of the crowd was so loud. Roczen did the only thing he truly needed to do to realize a lifelong dream; he finished ahead of Lawrence.

Roczen could finally let it all out: the emotion, the tears, the pain, joy. After the race, his words reassured us he is human. “I was an emotional wreck today,” he said. “I’m exhausted physically and mentally from these last few weeks.”

Combined with Pro Motocross and the SuperMotocross World Championship in 2025, this was Hunter’s 3rd consecutive runner-up finish. He earned a title in grace and sportsmanship when he gave Roczen a congratulatory embrace and stuck around on the floor to absorb someone else’s joy. Or lean into a feeling he’s trying to escape.

Either way, life goes on.