KR's Plan

How Ken Roczen plans to overcome Cooper Webb’s late-race heroics

Motoonline Competition Post: Dylan Wills

The tactics required to hold ongoing 450SX arch-rival at bay in Supercross.

Progressive Ecstar Suzuki 450SX front-runner Ken Roczen knows the narrative all too well – when it comes down to the wire, Cooper Webb has a way of snatching main event victories. Following his P2 finish in Detroit, Roczen acknowledged the reputation that Webb has built with his late-race heroics, vowing to ‘continue trying and charging to not let that happen’.

Image: Octopi Media.

Roczen had a strong ride at Ford Field, battling early with Aaron Plessinger before taking control of the race. He led for the majority of the main event, only to see Webb make his move with just over a minute left on the race clock. It was yet another example of Webb’s trademark ability to strike late, a skill that has caught Roczen out multiple times over the years.

Their history of last-minute duels dates back to Arlington in 2019, where Webb pulled off a dramatic last-corner pass to edge Roczen by just 0.028 seconds, marking one of the closest finishes in Supercross history.

In 2021, Webb capitalized on lapped traffic at Houston 3, making another decisive pass on Roczen in the final moments to steal the win. Fast-forward to Detroit 2025, and the trend continued as Webb’s late-race charge once again left Roczen watching victory slip away, allowing the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider to tie Red Bull KTM’s Chase Sexton in the championship standings.

Despite the outcome, Roczen remained upbeat, reflecting on the progress he’s made: “I know the stigma behind when we go to battle and him getting me towards the end. But I just tried what I could. It was honest work. I had a really good week of training and rebounded after last weekend – that was really important for me.

“Honestly, it was a really fun race. I was really pumped on my starts and the battles. I kept my cool the whole time, even though he was revving behind me and all that stuff, so I was really happy with that… I didn’t let anything phase me. I really tried toward the end and he got the better of me, but I’m happy with a podium, I really am.

“Even though we only got two points closer, I’m doing whatever I can out there and we’re executing our plans that we have coming into the night show. I’m happy with it, it was a good battle, and even just gapping the rest of the field, it just feels good to be up in the mix, honestly. I’m going to continue trying and charging to not let that happen towards the end of the race, but nonetheless, I’m happy with it.”.

With 11 rounds still remaining, Roczen – who wore the red plate in Glendale but is yet to claim a main event victory to date in 2025 – now sits third in the 450SX standings, 16 points behind joint leaders Webb and Sexton as the series heads to Arlington for round six. If he continues this type of form, we could be witnessing the rebirth of Ken Roczen’s career as a genuine title threat once again.