Ken Roczen gets the red plate for Suzuki!

How in the world does a privateer or semi-factory rider on a Suzuki end up with a red plate after three rounds of the 2025 Monster Energy Supercross? When was the last time a yellow bike had the red plate in the premier 450 Supercross class?

The answer is there’s a German rider named Ken Roczen who is the most consistent rider in the series thus far. The Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki rider posted on his social media on January 28 a picture of his motorcycle with the red plate, which means he is the series’ overall points leader. With three rounds in, there have been three red plate holders as well, such as Red Bull KTM rider Chase Sexton and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider Eli Tomac. Here’s what Ken Roczen has to say about having the red plate after getting second place in the Anaheim 2 Supercross last weekend:

“It’s an absolute dream. After I was in position last week for a possible third, I came back [to the truck and] was thinking it would be so rad to share a red plate with Eli. And just to have a red plate, it’s been a long time, especially on a Suzuki. I wasn’t able to make [a win] happen tonight. This was an absolutely insane race. We were in a battle the whole way, and it was awesome. With the rain and how hardpacked the dirt was, it was very slippery out there, but I just kept my focus the whole way… After making a [first] pass stick on Jason I hit neutral, and he got me back. I was bummed because it’s a lot of work to get by.” – Ken Roczen, regarding a comment that he moved into the points lead for the first time since the opening round of 2022.

Ken Roczen riding strong in the Anaheim Supercross 450 Main Event. Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment.