ROCZEN EARNS 3RD AT AMA PRO 250 MOTOCROSS CLASS DEBUT

Ken Roczen took the holeshot in the first moto and was followed closely by Justin Barcia. The two swapped positions around the fourth corner and Barcia took over the lead. Roczen remained close and didn’t let Barcia out of his site. On the fifth lap, Roczen was able to close-up on Barcia and make a pass for the lead. Meanwhile, Blake Baggett had caught up to the group and the three riders began a great battle for the number one spot. Roczen held the lead for the remaining laps and on the final lap began a bar to bar race to the finish with Baggett. With only a few corners to go, Baggett was able to make a move on Roczen and finished just a split second ahead of him at the finish. Roczen held on for 2nd.

“I was bummed to lose the lead after holding off both Blake and Justin for so long during the moto, but I am happy to be on the podium in the first moto of my outdoor career,” remarked Roczen.

Also putting together a strong ride in the first moto was the #38 machine of Marvin Musquin. He got a great start and was able to finish 5th in the first moto despite having surgery on his hand only two weeks ago.

“My hand gave me a little pain at the end of the race, but overall, I felt decent in the first moto and am glad to finish inside the top five,” stated Musquin.

After a small break, the 250 Motocross athletes were back on the track and ready to go for the final moto. Musquin and Roczen both launched off the gate well and took a top five start around the first corner with their KTM 250 SX-F. Musquin came out 3rd while Roczen was sitting in 4th. The next lap they switched positions and Roczen took over the 3rd place spot. From that point on, Roczen maintained a steady pace and was able to hold on for 3rd place. His 2-3 finishes earned him 3rd overall for the day.

Musquin rode inside the top five for the first part of the moto but dropped below 15th after his hand began to bother him at the halfway point. He was able to recoup on the closing laps and was able to climb up to 14th before the finish. His 5-14 results earned him 9th overall for the day.

Next Race: Freestone, Wortham, TX – May 26, 2012

Overall Results 250 Motocross Class Hangtown
1. Blake Baggett (USA), Kawasaki – 1-1
2. Justin Barcia (USA), Honda – 3-2
3. Ken Roczen (D), KTM – 2-3
4. Ivan Tedesco (USA), Kawasaki – 6-5
5. Eli Tomac (USA), Honda – 4-10
Other KTM
9. Marvin Musquin (F), KTM – 5-14

Standings 250 Motocross Class after 1 of 12 rounds
1. Baggett, 50 points
2. Barcia, 42
3. Roczen, 42
4. Tedesco, 31
5. Tomac, 29
Other KTM
9. Musquin, 23

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