Ken Roczen | Breathing Issues & Shingles In Salt Lake City
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UPDATE JUNE 12 | Ken Roczen has shared a further update regarding the health issues he’s dealt with during the races in Utah. With two more Main Event down (he finished in 11th place in the Sunday mud of SLC Three SX and in fifth place on Wednesday evening at SLC Four SX) and more work done with doctors, the Team Honda HRC rider has been diagnosed with shingles, which is known to cause a painful rash and comes with symptoms like fever, fatigue, and headaches. Roczen stated in a social media post that he was tested for the viral infection and found out the results on Sunday and that having aces in quick order has offered limited time for him to rest and recovery.
“Speed is great and I feel pretty good on the bike. Two days is not enough time to get everything lined up again after a disaster race. As everyone knows I have been dealing with the virus for a while now and it also turned out I tested positive for shingles last Sunday,” he shared. “I know everyone is sick of hearing it and so am I. Unfortunately, those are things I can’t control. I can assure you I am doing my part to be ready and live healthy and doing all the things I can control. Huge thank you to all my partners that have always supported me in these last few years and continue to do so.”
With two rounds of the seven-round run in Salt Lake City to complete the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross Series complete, we’re starting to see how the altitude is impacting riders. A number of competitors have said that they felt out of sorts during Sunday and Wednesday’s races, including Ken Roczen. In a social media post on Friday, the Team Honda HRC rider explained that difficulty breathing held him back during the 450 Main Event at round twelve, which is due to an illness he had late last year and has caused lasting issues.
“I have been having breathing issues for a few months now. I got really sick in November/December that attacked the respiratory side of my body really bad. It has been going on for a long time and I am not able to get rid of it,” Roczen explained in the post. “I have developed a mild asthma that I was unaware of before but I am not sure if that is the actual issue, to be honest. Having said that there is medication for that but it doesn’t seem to change my restrictions.”
That Roczen experienced something serious prior to the COVID-19 crisis explains the precautionary measures he took just prior to the mid-March shutdown, and maybe even played a part in his guarded replies in preseason interviews that asked about his health after last summer’s energy-draining issues.
Roczen isn’t looking to use the health issue as an excuse and this is the first that we’re hearing of it, likely from the extended time at altitude. “It is not something I talk about because when I am out racing it doesn’t matter what issue I have because all that matters is the end result. I am always going out to do my best and push my body as hard as I can,” he continued in the caption. “Obviously I had to let go after just about 8 min into the main, which is obviously not normal. I know that this looks bad but unfortunately, it is what it is and I am not giving up.”
With 3-5 finishes in the last two races, Roczen retains second place in the championship standings yet has lost points to current leader Eli Tomac. The gap between the two is now 13 points Roczen says that he still has plenty to fight for in the remaining races. “There are still 5 rounds to go and I’m always down to try and do some magic! The last thing I want to do is let down the people that believe in me. I just thought my fans should know. To go out and win your body has to work in top notch form. Other than that I have been feeling pretty good on the bike and am plenty fast enough to win.”
