【2021 End Of Season Review】Roczen Runner-Up with Four Wins, 450SX Rookie Sexton Takes Three Podiums

Roczen Returns, Sexton Misses Rounds due to Injuries

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2021 season had more triple-headers (Saturday, Tuesday, the following Saturday at the same venue) than ever. The season kicked-off with a triple-header in Houston.

Roczen was absent from the 2020 AMA Pro MX season due to health issues, and on his first outing since the last round in last year’s Supercross, he made a strong comeback scoring second place. Sexton’s debut in the 450SX class was not so fortunate, as a crash with the rider in front sent him back to 14th place.

After a fifth place in Round 2, Roczen was back on the podium the following round with a second place, giving him the overall points lead. Sexton led the initial stages in Round 2, but crashed and retired on Lap 7, injuring his right shoulder. He was unable to rejoin the competition until Round 9.

Triple Wins in Indianapolis Increases Roczen’s Lead

After taking his first victory of the season in Indianapolis, Roczen went on to win all three in the triple-header, a career-first achievement, taking his championship lead to 16 points. Roczen aimed to make it four out of four in rounds 7 and 8 in Orlando (held on February 13 and 20), but had to settle for second after a fierce battle with KTM’s Cooper Webb. In Round 8 Roczen was off to a nightmarish start, but managed to recover from 12th to 4th, keeping his overall lead intact.

Sexton Back, Team Finishes 1-2 in Round 14

Recovered from injury, Sexton rejoined the championship in Round 9 in Daytona, a round with the richest history. He completed the round in 8th place, while Roczen was 4th.

Rounds 10 through 12 were held at the Arlington triple-header. Roczen lost his championship lead by finishing sixth in the first of three, while Sexton finished fourth, followed by a fifth, and with renewed momentum his first podium by finishing second in Round 13 Atlanta 1. Both riders were off to a good start in Round 14 Atlanta 2, dominating the top two spots. Roczen dominated throughout, winning his first round in eight, while Sexton clinched his second consecutive runner-up finish. This was the first time since 2011 that Honda finished 1-2. In Round 15 Atlanta 3, Roczen took the early lead and dominated with a 12 second gap at one stage, but fell. With a bent handlebar he could not maintain the pace, giving his KTM rival the lead and the win. With only two rounds remaining, Roczen was 16 points behind Webb in the championship standings.

Tough close to the season

Round 16 Salt Lake City 1 took place on April 24 at the Rice-Eccles Stadium on the campus of the University of Utah. After a thrilling start Roczen led, but by mid-race was caught up to, and a fall on Lap 15 sent him back to sixth place. In the season-finale, Roczen took an early lead, and by Lap 6 Sexton was up to second place. Once Sexton overtook his teammate for the lead, Roczen lost pace, crossing the line in tenth. Sexton was looking for his first SX win, but was overtaken in the closing laps, and finished third.

Roczen fought for the championship until the end, finishing the season in second overall, one place better than 2020. Although Sexton missed six rounds due to injury, he completed his 450SX debut season with three podiums, showing promise for his career ahead.

Race Reports

• Rd.01 Houston1 Second-Place Finish for Roczen at AMA Supercross Season Opener in Houston

• Rd.02 Houston2 Jett Lawrence Scores Career-First AMA 250SX Win at Houston 2 Supercross

• Rd.03 Houston3 Roczen Assumes 450SX Points Lead at Houston 3 Supercross

• Rd.04 Indianapolis1 Roczen Takes His First Victory of the Season, in Indianapolis

• Rd.05 Indianapolis2 Dominant Win for Roczen at Indianapolis 2 Supercross

• Rd.06 Indianapolis3 Roczen Sweeps Indianapolis Supercross Tripleheader

• Rd.07 Orlando1 Roczen a Close Second at Orlando Supercross, Lawrence Tops 250SX East Class

• Rd.08 Orlando2 Top-Five Finishes for Ken Roczen, Hunter Lawrence at Orlando 2 Supercross

• Rd.09 Daytona Fourth and Eighth for Roczen, Sexton at Daytona; Lawrence Sixth in 250SX West

• Rd.10 Arlington1 Hunter Lawrence Scores Career-First Podium Finish at Arlington 1 Supercross

• Rd.11 Arlington2 Hunter Lawrence Takes Career-First AMA 250SX Win at Arlington 2 Supercross

• Rd.12 Arlington3 Close Second-Place Finish for Roczen at Arlington 3 Supercross

• Rd.13 Atlanta1 Career-First 450SX Podium for Sexton at Atlanta 1 Supercross

• Rd.14 Atlanta2 Dominant 1-2 Result for Team Honda HRC Riders Roczen and Sexton at Atlanta 2 SX

• Rd.15 Atlanta3 Roczen a Close Second at Atlanta 3 Supercross

• Rd.16 Salt Lake City1 Second-Place Finish for Lawrence at Salt Lake City 1 Supercross

• Rd.17 Salt Lake City2 Jett Lawrence Wins 250SX East/West Showdown

450SX - Point Standings

250SX East - Point Standings

250SX West - Point Standings