Admittedly, Ken Roczen was not the victor at Round 2 of the 2025 FIM World Supercross Championship in Vancouver. Yet the result does not tell the full story — his speed throughout the night show was impressive and perhaps more telling than the finishing position.
In an exclusive interview with Lewis Phillips for Vital MX, Roczen unpacked his form at this very early point in the off-season, and addressed the question that many are already whispering: has he peaked too soon? He further shared intriguing reflections on his ongoing rivalry and comparison with Eli Tomac, plus the unique challenge of the Vancouver circuit, which differs markedly from what the American supercross crowd is used to.
Fine Form — But Not the Result
Roczen emphasised that while the podium eluded him this time, the underlying indicators of his performance are encouraging. He felt his training block had translated effectively into speed and rhythm — something he believes has been missing or inconsistent in previous seasons. With a fresh mindset and minimal technical issues, he reported feeling “sharp” from the outset. In his words: “The bike felt connected… I was able to hit the rhythm of the track quite quickly.”
Importantly, he noted that the lap-times told a story: his pace in qualifying and heat races was very competitive, perhaps even setting up a platform for a win; it was only minor hiccups (a small error or a less than perfect start) that cost him the top step. The takeaway: the result may not reflect “victory” but the performance is trending in the right direction.
Have I Peaked Too Early?
One of the more arresting questions Roczen faced was whether he could have “peaked” ahead of time — i.e., come into the season too ready, leaving little room for progression. He admitted that this is a real risk in supercross: arrive at the first few rounds looking unbeatable, and the margin to improve is razor-thin. He said he has deliberately tempered expectations, focusing not on “being the fastest now” but on “being consistently fast when it counts”.
He added a cautionary note: “I want to build something with longevity, not just a flash of speed.” The interview revealed he and his team are still dialing in areas such as rhythm jumps, gate starts, and whoop sections — because in Vancouver, and in the rounds ahead, those are zones where races are won or lost.
Roczen vs. Tomac: A Subtle Comparison
Roczen didn’t shy away from discussing the comparison between himself and Eli Tomac — a long-running rivalry transformed by the global-expansion of the series. He acknowledged that Tomac still has that innate ability to deliver under pressure, and that forces Roczen to raise his own bar. He said something along the lines of: “When you’re racing Eli, you know you can’t let anything slide. He does not.”
However, Roczen also pointed out shifts he believes are in his favour: better starts, improved fitness, and a calmer mental frame. He believes these could tilt the balance his way this season. No grand claims of dominance, but a quiet confidence that when everything aligns — pace, starts, rhythm — he has all the tools. This interplay of respect, rivalry and mutual benchmarking adds a compelling subplot to the season narrative.
Vancouver’s Unique Challenges
The Vancouver event posed some distinct variables. The track surface inside BC Place in Canada differs from many U.S. supercross rounds: the mix of turf, temporary construction, and unique climate conditions meant more variation in grip and ruts. Roczen noted that adapting to the changing line-choices and the evolving surface through the night was a key focus.
He praised the track-crew’s effort but said: “You’re constantly reading it – where the rubber is, where the groove is, where it’s starting to break down.” He suggested that while the first half of the night showed strong grip, later laps forced riders into more conservative lines. And in a championship where so many are within tenths, that kind of track-reading becomes a differentiator.
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Roczen’s takeaway heading into Round 3 is clear: keep the momentum, refine the starts, maintain the heat-race intensity and minimise error. He’s not resting on the pace he showed — rather, he’s treating it as a base to build on. The key will be translating that speed into consistent finishes, and eventually wins. If he can do that — and if he continues to challenge a rider like Tomac head-on — then the championship narrative may tilt his way.
For fans of supercross, this sets the stage nicely: a major player not yet at his peak but clearly running hot, a rival who remains formidable, and a global series that presents fresh tracks and fresh angles. The Vancouver round may not have delivered the win, but Roczen’s night delivered an emphatic message: he’s back, and he means business.