For round nine of the 2019 AMA Pro Motocross Championship, Team Honda HRC headed to the beautiful Pacific Northwest‰Ûªs Washougal Motocross Park, where Team Honda HRC‰Ûªs Ken Roczen secured his first podium finish since High Point Raceway, locking down second overall with a 2-3 moto tally.
In the opening 450 moto, Roczen launched down the start straight and around the first turn in fifth place before gaining two additional spots in the following turn to put him third heading up Horsepower Hill. Shortly thereafter, Roczen made the move into second and began working on the leader. He closed the gap and made the pass into the top spot on lap two. Once out front, the German took advantage of a clear track, riding smoothly and opening up an eight-second lead by the halfway point. Unfortunately, Roczen was unable to maintain his early race pace, which allowed Eli Tomac to close in during the final laps. The two fought hard, even coming together during their battle, but Roczen ultimately relinquished the lead and took the checkered flag in second.
Despite relinquishing the lead during the final laps, Roczen‰Ûªs speed early in the race was unmatched, as he laid down the fastest time with a 2‰Ûª17.608‰Û
