Despite hot temperatures and high humidity, the AMA Pro Motocross Championship’s Budds Creek National saw Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen put together a solid performance, securing his second moto victory of the season on his way to finishing second overall.

In moto one, Roczen got a poor jump out of the gate but charged down the start-straight to sneak into the inside of the first turn, coming out in second. The German quickly moved into the lead, taking advantage of a clear track to lay down consistent laps and open up a small gap on second. Toward the end of the 30-minute-plus-two-lap race, Roczen maintained his composure up front while fending off multiple pass attempts, then laid down a final charge to open up a 13.8 second lead by the checkered flag. When the gate fell on the final moto, Roczen got off to a sixth-place start but advanced to third by the completion of the opening lap. He continued his charge, moving into second and then closing in on the leader, looking for an opportune time to strike. On lap five, he made an impressive pass into the lead and quickly opened a multi-second gap on the riders behind him. Roczen looked smooth up front but was unable to maintain his pace throughout the entire race, relegating the lead on lap 12, before losing one more position by the end of the race.

NOTES

  • The day started slowly for Ken Roczen, as he struggled in the day’s first qualifying practice before finding his stride in the second session, posting the fifth-quickest time with a 2’06.117” lap.
  • Roczen’s HRC Teammate Toshiki Tomita also had a noteworthy day, scoring a fourth-place start in the day’s first moto before falling back to 15th.In the second moto, the Japanese rider got off to a mediocre start, but was able to work his way up to 11thto wrap up 13thoverall.
  • With his strong second-place overall performance at Budds Creek, Roczen regained control of third in the championship standings, with 403 points.
  • It was a day of celebration for the GEICO Honda squad, as team veteran RJ Hampshire rode flawlessly all day to score not only his career-first moto win, but also his first-ever 250MX overall victory. With a solid second in moto one, Hampshire came into true form during the final race, securing a strong start before taking over the lead on lap five. He put together strong and consistent laps, riding unchallenged all the way to the checkered flag. Hampshire wasn’t the only Red Rider on the 250MX podium, with teammate Chase Sexton emerging second overall with 7-2 marks. This marks the rookie’s second podium finish of the season. Cameron McAdoo landed 15th.
  • Next weekend, Team Honda HRC heads to the Ironman MX in Crawfordsville, Indiana, for the final round of the 2018 AMA Pro Motocross series. On Friday, Roczen will participate in the pre-race press conference to discuss his successful season, before hitting the track for two 20-minute riding sessions. Later that evening, the HRC crew will also celebrate the season with a team BBQ at the track.

Media contact:

Mandie Fonteyn // Jonnum Media // mandie@jonnummedia.com // +1 (951) 537-0454

Ken Roczen 94

“The first moto was great. I had a good battle with Marvin [Musquin] going through most the race and once there were only five laps left, I just told myself that I better pull this off and get the win. I was trying to just keep it steady, but if Marvin was still close behind me, I was going to try and put on a charge the last couple laps; luckily I didn’t really have to. It was my shot at the overall today, but unfortunately I got sick halfway through the week and definitely wasn’t feeling it this morning and it caught up with me in the second moto. I just ran out of steam at the end and let those guys get by me. I gave it my all out there and unfortunately it wasn’t enough for the overall again, but I just want to get this season over with healthy and giving each race all that I have—today, that was it. We’re going to take what we’ve learned to regroup for this off-season, and come back to crush it next year. I’m happy with where I’m at this season, but at the same time, I’m a winner and I want to win. I try to put it into perspective because I was here last year hurt and I would’ve taken a day of racing sick and in the heat over anything, so to be back a year later fighting for wins and getting second overall is pretty dang good.”

Erik Kehoe

Team Manager

“After struggling last weekend in the mud, it’s great to have Ken back on the podium today. He fought hard in the first moto to get that win and it meant a lot to not only him but the team as well. He’s been doing so good this season that we’ve come to expect him to be up front and battling, but I’m really happy with how Ken’s stuck to the plan this season. He’s stayed patient while building and learning each week. It’s already been a great season, so we’re looking forward to ending on a solid note next weekend in Indiana and to start focusing on 2019.”

AMA Pro Motocross 2018
Race Round 10   Budds Creek

450MX Moto 1 Results

Pos. Rider Num Nation Team Constructor Time/Gap
1 Roczen Ken 94 GER Team Honda HRC Honda
2 Musquin Marvin 25 FRA Red Bull KTM KTM
3 Tomac Eli 3 USA Monster Energy Kawasaki Kawasaki
4 Anderson Jason 21 USA Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Husqvarna
5 Baggett Blake 4 USA Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM WPS KTM
6 Barcia Justin 51 USA TLD/Red Bull GasGas GasGas
7 Nicoletti Phillip 46 USA Autotrader/ JGR/ Yoshimura/ Suzuki Factory Racing Yamaha
8 Webb Cooper 2 USA Red Bull KTM KTM
9 Bloss Benny 73 USA SmarTop/Bullfrog Spas/MotoConcepts Honda Honda
10 Cunningham Kyle 39 USA H.E.P Motorsports Suzuki
11 Miller Henry 81 USA Trigger Racing Yamaha
12 Merriam Dylan 559 USA None Yamaha
13 Masterpool Jake 146 USA None Yamaha
14 Peick Weston 23 USA Autotrader/ JGR/ Yoshimura/ Suzuki Factory Racing Suzuki
15 Tomita Toshiki 718 JPN Team Honda HRC Honda
17 Lamay Ben 71 USA TPJ/Fly Racing Honda
18 Cooper Cody 121 NZL Crownkiwi Enterprise Honda
19 Williams Cody 82 USA None Honda
20 DeMartile Dare 207 USA None Honda
AMA Pro Motocross 2018
Race Round 10   Budds Creek

450MX Moto 2 Results

Pos. Rider Num Nation Team Constructor Time/Gap
1 Tomac Eli 3 USA Monster Energy Kawasaki Kawasaki
2 Baggett Blake 4 USA Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM WPS KTM
3 Roczen Ken 94 GER Team Honda HRC Honda
4 Musquin Marvin 25 FRA Red Bull KTM KTM
5 Barcia Justin 51 USA TLD/Red Bull GasGas GasGas
6 Nicoletti Phillip 46 USA Autotrader/ JGR/ Yoshimura/ Suzuki Factory Racing Yamaha
7 Webb Cooper 2 USA Red Bull KTM KTM
8 Bloss Benny 73 USA SmarTop/Bullfrog Spas/MotoConcepts Honda Honda
9 Peick Weston 23 USA Autotrader/ JGR/ Yoshimura/ Suzuki Factory Racing Suzuki
10 Merriam Dylan 559 USA None Yamaha
11 Tomita Toshiki 718 JPN Team Honda HRC Honda
12 Lamay Ben 71 USA TPJ/Fly Racing Honda
13 Cunningham Kyle 39 USA H.E.P Motorsports Suzuki
14 Short John 72 USA Barx/Chaparral/Ecstar Suzuki Suzuki
15 Cooper Cody 121 NZL Crownkiwi Enterprise Honda
17 Masterpool Jake 146 USA None Yamaha
18 Miller Henry 81 USA Trigger Racing Yamaha
19 DeMartile Dare 207 USA None Honda
20 Williams Cody 82 USA None Honda
Location Information

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