Ken Roczen on Unadilla National Season Debut: “Outdoors is tough. Straightens you out real quick!”

Ken Roczen on Unadilla National Season Debut: “Outdoors is tough. Straightens you out real quick!”

 

Ken Roczen on Unadilla National Season Debut: “Outdoors is tough. Straightens you out real quick!”

 

Unadilla, New York — The roar of the crowd and the rugged New York soil welcomed Ken Roczen back to outdoor motocross racing this weekend, as the German fan-favorite made his long-awaited 2025 Pro Motocross season debut at the Unadilla National. Known for his technical brilliance and relentless determination, Roczen admitted that the jump back into outdoor competition was as humbling as it was thrilling.

 

“Outdoors is tough. Straightens you out real quick!” Roczen said with a laugh after his motos, reflecting on the unforgiving nature of the track and the field of riders. “I love racing outdoors, but it really tests everything—your body, your endurance, and your mindset.”

 

Roczen, who has spent much of this season focusing on select Supercross and international events, came into Unadilla with limited outdoor prep. Despite that, he wasted no time proving that his speed and instincts remain sharp, putting in strong laps and battling inside the top ten against riders who have been grinding through the entire championship.

 

The Unadilla track, notorious for its deep ruts, elevation changes, and unpredictable lines, posed its usual challenges. For Roczen, it was a reminder of how demanding motocross can be compared to other formats of racing.

 

“Supercross and SMX [SuperMotocross] are one thing, but outdoors? Man, it’s a different animal. You can’t cheat it. You’ve got to be fully committed, and it humbles you fast,” Roczen added.

 

While he didn’t walk away with an overall podium, Roczen’s performance showed flashes of his trademark style—smooth cornering, explosive jumps, and a fearless approach through the roughest sections. Fans were ecstatic just to see him back in the thick of outdoor racing, and his presence added another layer of excitement to an already competitive series.

 

With the Pro Motocross Championship winding down and the SuperMotocross World Championship looming, Roczen’s return raises questions about what role he’ll play in shaping the final battles of the season. Whether chasing podiums or fine-tuning his race craft ahead of SMX, his presence is sure to keep fans and fellow riders on edge.

 

“Right now, I’m just happy to be back in the fight,” Roczen said. “I’m not looking too far ahead—just taking it one moto at a time. But yeah, outdoors reminds you real quick why this sport is so gnarly.”

 

For Roczen and his supporters, the Unadilla National was more than a debut—it was a statement. Even after years of ups, downs, and comebacks, Ken Roczen remains one of the most compelling riders in the sport, always ready to embrace the grind and put on a show.