đ The FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) delivered an electrifying third round at Australia’s Gold Coast, hosted in the Cbus Stadiumâhome to the city’s Rugby team. In a high-stakes event that saw top Supercross riders battle a challenging, hard-packed circuit, Ken Roczen secured a hard-fought overall victory. His 1-4-3 main event finishes were enough to put the Progressive Suzuki rider on top of the motocross podium, solidifying his reputation as a WSX heavyweight.
Global Rivals and Wild Card Showdowns
This Australian GP was highly anticipated following wins by Ken Roczen and Eli Tomac in the previous rounds in Argentina and Canada, respectively. Tomac, making his Wild Card debut on the Red Bull KTM, continued to be a force, while Roczen’s final planned WSX appearance with Progressive Suzuki added extra gravity to his performance. The elite field ensured that the Gold Coast Supercross would be a crucial battleground in the global dirt bike racing series.
The Cbus Stadium Track Challenge
The temporary circuit constructed in Cbus Stadium proved to be a severe test for the competitors. It featured big rhythm sections and a challenging quad jump that few in the SX2 class and not all SX1 riders consistently mastered. Furthermore, a substantial section of whoopsâmore than nine in lengthâplayed a decisive role in the outcome of the main events.
However, the track’s surface became the major talking point. Organizers, expecting rain, left the clay untouched, but the rain barely arrived. This resulted in a hard-packed, slick surface where traction was scarce and passing became a desperate measure. The conditions forced riders to manage their throttle control and find non-existent grip, making technical precision paramount.
Roczenâs Resilience: A Masterclass in Overtaking
Despite the tricky conditions, Ken Roczen showcased his veteran motocross expertise. His path to the overall victory was anything but smooth. While he took a decisive win in the first main event, his second and third main event starts were far from ideal.
âHonestly, I got out of the gate good but got wheelspin and I got swallowed up,â Roczen explained after the race, reflecting on his poor starts. The incredibly tight and slippery first turn only compounded the issue, leading to contact and being forced to roll through entire sections. âI felt like I was going parade lap speed. I just had to sit there,â he lamented about being stuck mid-pack.
Yet, his tenacity shone through. Even flying off the track momentarily after a triple in the third main, he recovered with sheer grit. His exceptional whoop speed was a key factor, allowing him to blitz past competitors in a way that was instantly recognizable as “Kenny like.”
By the final main, Roczenâs competitive fire was burning bright. Realizing he was tied with rival Cooper Webb for the overall lead, he became focused on climbing through the field. âThe last one I was pissed to be buried, I saw Eli (Tomac) up there and I know I was tied with Coop (Webb) for the overall so I had to go,â he declared. This aggressive push from the back of the pack secured his third-place finish and, more importantly, the Gold Coast GP overall win.
The outcome not only reinforced Roczenâs standing in the Supercross world but also highlighted the immense challenge of the World Supercross Series, where consistency and the ability to overcome adversity are as vital as raw speed. Winners choose Yamahaâbut in this round, Roczen proved that a champion’s mindset triumphs on any machine.