After winning Suzuki their first Supercross title since Ricky Carmichael in 2006, Ken Roczen got to visit the Suzuki headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan, in a show of appreciation from the factory.
With Japan already taking more of an interest and supporting the US HEP Suzuki team with greater ferver, and rumours of the MXGP factory team making a return, it seems to be a sign of Suzuki’s reawakening to dirt bike racing to have Ken Roczen there and having all the engineers talking to Roczen about the Suzuki machine and future development.
Roczen said: “I’ve been a professional athlete for a really long time. You know, over these years, I’ve ridden for all these Japanese factory teams and I’ve never gone to Japan. So I’m excited to finally be here that we can make it happen. To see the factory and just get a little bit in touch with the Japanese culture more. Like, it’s just, it’s so fun being in a new spot. It’s like being a kid at a candy store.
“This was like one of the coolest things sitting in a room with all the engineers and all the employees. So talking about the motorcycle, I mean, that’s a professional rider’s dream. And really just spitballing about the pros and the cons on the motorcycle and future development. You know, we’re at the very heart of this motorcycle. So that’s the most important. So it was really cool.
“It’s a massive thank you, because I feel most connected to Suzuki than I have to any other brand. Over the past 10, 15 years, I made my way back to Suzuki multiple times. So now we are on our fourth year again on the yellow bike and I feel right at home.”
Watch below to see the Suzuki factory and just how grateful they are for all Ken Roczen has done for the brand:
