Ken Roczen Commits To Race FIM World Supercross Championship

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The latest statement by SX Global is a big one: Ken Roczen will line up for the FIM World Supercross Championship. This agreement follows a period of career reconsideration by the rider and comes amid contract negotiations for 2023, details noted in the organization’s announcement. The German rider is the biggest name to commit to the international series, which plans to run a three-race pilot tour in October and November with ten licensed teams and forty competitors between SX1/450 Class and SX2/250 Class.

“The WSX is a unique opportunity to compete on a truly global scale, and I’m thrilled to be a part of that. I haven’t raced overseas in a very long time, so I’m looking forward to bringing Supercross to die-hard fans at these international events in 2022, all while competing for an FIM-sanctioned world title,” says the 2011 MX2 world champion’s quote in the press release.

Roczen’s 2022 season started with the Main Event win at Anaheim One, a victory the rider admittedly did not expect due to a severe preseason illness. But unfortunately, things went awry soon after, as setup issues with CRF450R, lingering health conditions, and a run of 1-13-7-13-5-11-8-13-7 results prompted the rider to pull out of the SX season after round ten.

The Team Honda HRC-approved sabbatical gave Roczen time to address professional and personal issues, evident in his renewed confidence ahead of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, and he is currently ranked third in the 450 Class.

Roczen’s commitment to WSX is massive for both himself and the series. Although many see this as the rider’s tilt toward a SX-only program, his press release quote goes on to say, “I’m thrilled for what will no doubt be an unbelievable experience and a fantastic springboard for a full assault on my 2023 Supercross and Motocross championship goals.”

For WSX, getting a rider of Roczen’s caliber to compete is the most significant announcement from the burgeoning series. Access to the highly-touted, Emirati-funded structure is limited to ten teams, a concept yet to catch hold among factory groups in the US. This means Roczen will be paired with one of the approved units, “details to be released by the team once an agreement is finalized.”

SX Global, the Australian sports and entertainment company spearheading the FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX), is pleased to announce that two-time 450 motocross champion Ken Roczen has officially committed to compete in the 2022 FIM-sanctioned World Supercross Championship, slated to begin in early October.

One of the most successful and prominent riders in the sport, Roczen, a 28-year-old German native, comes to WSX boasting an impressive resume, including 48 combined professional 450cc and 250cc victories at events around the world. The 2022 WSX Global Championship will see Roczen bring his incredible talent and championship pedigree to thousands of die-hard fans in stadiums around the world throughout the three-round championship. Roczen is currently in negotiations to finalize an agreement to compete for one of the 10 exclusively licensed teams, with details to be released by the team once an agreement is finalized.

“The WSX is a unique opportunity to compete on a truly global scale, and I’m thrilled to be a part of that,” said Roczen. “I haven’t raced overseas in a very long time so I’m looking forward to bringing supercross to die-hard fans at these international events in 2022, all while competing for an FIM- sanctioned world title. I’m thrilled for what will no doubt be an unbelievable experience and a fantastic springboard for a full assault on my 2023 Supercross and Motocross championship goals.”

“Ken Roczen is an absolute superstar of supercross, recognized across the globe. To have him compete in our inaugural season as we usher in a new, global era of supercross, is nothing short of incredible,” said Adam Bailey, Managing Director – Motorsport of SX Global. “Ken embodies all the qualities that make supercross athletes, the toughest and most inspirational athletes in the world. It’s only fitting that he becomes one of our marquee challengers for the 2022 FIM World Championship crown.”

The FIM World Supercross Championship will annually take place in the second half of the year, with 2022 events from late October through November. 2022 will serve as a “pilot” season, allowing the championship to establish itself and build momentum going into 2023. From 2023 onwards, the FIM World Supercross Championship will expand annually between June and November, with up to twelve events in 2023.