HONORS FOR KEN ROCZEN IN GERMANY AS HE PREPARES TO GO TO USA

Not only did K-Roc officially open the brand new MX track in Lausitzring in South Brandenburg last weekend, he also had the honor of being the first bike to carve a track in the fresh dirt and was the object of attention for both media and his growing army of fans.

Later that day Ken was also made an ‘Honorary Citizen’ in his small home town of Matt­stedt in Germany. Kenny received the award in the presence of around 300 local residents and numerous media and one very special guest. As he is the first (male) MX World champion for 43 years - KTM’s Steffi Laier, also of Germany, is a multi-times World champion in WMX, including the 2011 title - none other than Paul Friederichs, the previous MX German World champion (1966-1968), now 71, was there to congratulate KTM’s talented teenager. Friedrichs, visibly moved, presented Roczen with the same East German flag that he carried across the finish line saying: “You are my worthy successor. I am really very proud of you.”

As well as his World titles, Friedrichs also finished second to Roger “the Man” DeCoster, and Ken Roczen’s new boss in the Red Bull KTM US Factory Racing Team – in the 1972 edition of the 500 cc World Championship.