AMA Supercross
Red Bull Teka KTM Racing welcomes the newest member of the Orange factory rider squad on Jan. 1, 2011 when Ken Roczen, one of the youngest and most exciting MX2 talents to emerge in recent years takes his place in the team in time to compete in the opening races of the AMA Supercross Lites West Coast competition.
The 16-year old German racer made an indelible impression on the MX2 World Championship in 2010 to finish in second place behind his now KTM teammate Marvin Musquin.
After warming up in the AMA SX competition, Ken will return to Europe to race alongside teammate Jeffrey Herlings as the Red Bull Teka KTM Factory Team fields two of the best young riders in the World Championship MX2 competition.
Roczen, who burst onto the senior scene for several races in 2009 as soon as he passed the age limit, is expected to set the track on fire this year. In his first full season in the 2010 competition he sent out plenty of signals that he will be a force to be reckoned with.
To further sharpen his already impressive skills, Ken has been in the USA training with the Orange lineup under the guidance of Roger DeCoster. ‘The Man’, as DeCoster is affectionately known, a legend in the sport after a distinguished racing and management career, heads the new Red Bull KTM factory team that will contest the major US competitions.
Many have been impressed with the talent of this young rider and all evidence points to some fantastic performances in the 2011 season when he joins the other ‘wunderkind’ rider, Jeffrey Herlings, in the Red Bull Teka KTM lineup in Europe.
Herlings returns to the track in 2011 after healing a mid-season shoulder injury incurred in 2010. The two, who race under the watchful and very experienced eye of KTM factory team boss, 10-times world champion Stefan Everts, are expected to deliver some heart stopping performances as they slog it out in the coming season.
KTM intends to nurture his young talent and groom the factory rider for future titles. Ken will be Ready to Race in true KTM style when competition gets underway with the opening races of the AMA Supercross (SX) season in January 2011.