Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2's Ken Roczen will travel to a grand prix circuit on which he has experience for the first time in his career this weekend as Agueda in Portugal prepares to host the fourth round of 15 in the FIM Motocross World Championship.
The recently-turned 16 year old made his GP debut at the venue in 2009 where he dazzled the paddock with seventh overall and fourth spot in the second moto on the RM-Z250. Now the teenager heads to southern Europe as red-plate holder and leader of the series; the first time the RM-Z250 has topped the standings; the first time for Roczen; and also a German in the MX2 category.
After the first three rounds of the championship, the German squad were last week able to enjoy a rare free weekend and reflect on the excellent start to the season. Roczen has not missed a GP podium, finishing as runner-up three times, and Arnaud Tonus has launched his association with Suzuki in positive fashion with fifth, sixth and ninth positions; meaning that neither youngster has dropped out of the top-10 and Suzuki holds second place in the Manufacturer's standings.
Roczen has seen his profile soar as he is justly considered as one of the most exciting and most talented riders on the GP scene: Number '94' even makes a national TV slot in Germany this evening (Wednesday, 20.00 CET) for kids channel KIKA explaining his career so far and the sport of motocross. Reaching his 16th year last week was a case of good timing with the brief break in the GP calendar. "It was awesome to have a few days to take it easy and we celebrated my birthday last week with a small party," he said. "Now we are thinking only about Portugal and I quite like the track but I am sure it will be a different experience for me this time because I was so nervous last year. For sure it will be better this weekend."
Arnaud Tonus will be returning to the circuit where he scored his second-highest result of the 2009 World Championship with eighth position. The Swiss was able to take a healthy slice of confidence from the improvement in his sand riding at Valkenswaard on April 25th and will now aim to get back into contention for his first GP podium.
Agueda will provide a fast and physical test as the red dirt combines loose and rough sections with slippery hard-pack. The track has been present as part of the World Championship each year since 2004. Suzuki will be gunning for their first MX2 rostrum finish in Portugal.
Roczen has a one-point lead over World Champion Marvin Musquin in the table. Tonus is fifth and 17 points behind Steven Frossard.
Although the weather outlook is positive this week, the forecast for the weekend predicts cloudy skies with showers and temperatures in the mid-teens.
