Ken Roczen continued his strong 2026 SuperMotocross campaign on Saturday night, charging to third place at Round 8 inside the iconic Daytona International Speedway.
Returning to the venue where he claimed victory in 2025, Roczen once again proved he thrives on the unique, speedway-style layout of Daytona. Aboard his Progressive Insurance/Cycle Gear ECSTAR Suzuki, the German ace fired out of the gate in the 450SX Main Event and led multiple laps, putting himself firmly in the fight at the front.
Daytona’s notorious sand sections played a decisive role in the outcome, however. Roczen opted against running a paddle tyre — a choice that ultimately cost him drive in the deepest parts of the track — but he remained composed and consistent to secure a hard-fought podium finish.
“I’m happy with my riding,” Roczen said after the race. “We made the decision not to go with the paddle tire because I don’t like it. I would choose my tire again, but in a deep sand section like that, I had no forward momentum. I feel like more than 50% of the race I struggled there and left too much time on the track. It was a lonely third in the end, but I’m still happy with my riding. I liked the track — it was nice to have a change of pace. I enjoyed it.”
The result adds to what has been a consistent and resilient season for Roczen, who has regularly placed himself in podium contention throughout the 2026 championship. While the win eluded him in Daytona this time around, leading laps and managing the race from the front once again underlined that he remains a genuine threat week in, week out.
Team principal Dustin Pipes praised Roczen’s performance under pressure at one of the sport’s most prestigious venues.
“Great night in Daytona. It’s always special getting on the podium at an iconic venue like Daytona. As the defending Daytona Champion, Ken handled the pressure well all day. He led a good portion of the main and secured a solid third-place finish. We’re still hungry for another win and will chase it again in Indianapolis.”
Elsewhere in the team, Colt Nichols continued to build momentum, finishing 11th in the 450SX Main Event. While narrowly missing out on a top 10, the result marked progress as he continues to settle into the season.
“It was a better day overall,” Nichols said. “I ended up 11th in the main, but I feel like I didn’t really ride that well, so I’m a little frustrated to be honest. I’ll take the result and work on a few things. I’ll try to improve this week and come into Indy feeling better and aiming for a stronger result.”
Pipes noted Nichols finished less than a second shy of his first top 10 of the season, calling it a step in the right direction.
With Daytona now in the books, the 2026 SuperMotocross World Championship heads to Indianapolis for Round 9, where Roczen will look to convert his front-running speed into another victory.
