Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2 rider Ken Roczen continued his impressive and emphatic streak through the pre-season motocross calendar with his third victory in as many weeks as the 15 year old defeated countryman and MX1 works rider Max Nagl at the Frankenbach International meeting in Germany at the weekend.
The triumph follows success at Valence in France and Hawkstone Park in the UK and proves that the 2009 German Grand Prix winner will enter the 2010 FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship on top-form. Team-mate Arnaud Tonus grabbed his first silverware for the team with third overall.
In front of a decent crowd and under cool but rain-free skies, the German circulated the small but technical track at confident speed on his RM-Z250 to provide two entertaining duels with Nagl, the 2009 MX1 world Championship runner-up and one of the expected main contenders for the 2010 crown. Roczen lacked 200ccs compared to his Grand Prix peer but the pair battled closely and their pace carried them past every other rider up to fourth place in Moto1. In the first outing Roczen was more decisive though the backmarkers to claim the chequered flag while the second sprint ended in dramatic fashion: A duel for the majority of the race was decided inside the last two laps as both riders went for the same line and collided; Nagl falling and Roczen managing to stay on two wheels to reach the line first.
“This was another good step for us in our programme for preparation for the first Grand Prix,” he said after obtaining his 1-1 scorecard. “I had a good battle with Max and although I feel a bit bad about how the second moto ended it was still good racing and I can take some confidence with how fast we were against a rider like that on the 450.
“The results have been good but this is not really what we have been working towards. On the other hand of course it is nice to win and although we want to be in the best shape possible for Bulgaria, my approach is still to think ‘well, why finish second?’” he added.
Tonus joined Roczen in the top three for his first view from the podium in Teka Suzuki colours. The Swiss rider was steady in both heats to collect a brace of third positions. He said: “I feel good and was confident out there. It was not so easy to take those results and I had some pressure from Nemeth in the second moto. Overall I made some good moves and kept calm.”
Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2 will be in action once more before the first Grand Prix of 15 at Sevlievo in Bulgaria on Easter weekend. The German crew will head to Mallory Park next week for the second round of the British Championship.
