Ken Roczen, one of the most prominent and resilient figures in professional motocross, will be sidelined for the final two rounds of the 2025 Monster Energy Supercross season and the beginning of the Pro Motocross Championship. The decision comes after Roczen suffered additional damage to his right ankle during a recent practice session, adding to the shoulder injury he had already been managing throughout the season.
The recent aggravation to his ankle now requires surgery, which Roczen estimates will need an eight-week recovery period. This timeline effectively rules him out not only for the remaining Supercross rounds but also for at least the start of the outdoor Pro Motocross series.
“It’s tough to step away with just two rounds remaining,” Roczen said in an official team release. “But with the new injury, I need to prioritize long-term health and recovery. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far this season, and I’ll be supporting the team as they head into the final rounds.”
Despite battling through both shoulder and ankle pain, Roczen has maintained an impressively consistent performance on the track. Since Round 5 in Tampa, Florida, he’s managed to finish inside the top 10 at every race. While his pace remained strong, the physical toll and nagging injuries gradually pushed him out of championship contention. With a 54-point deficit to current leader Cooper Webb, Roczen was mathematically eliminated from the title chase following Round 15 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
For fans and the HEP Motorsports/Suzuki team, Roczen’s absence will certainly be felt. However, the decision underscores the physical demands of the sport and the importance of long-term athlete health. Missing the final two Supercross rounds may seem like a minor setback, but with the inaugural SuperMotocross World Championship looming later this year, proper recovery is critical. Every gate drop matters, especially for seeding purposes in that combined-format series.
“Ken has been pushing through a lot of adversity this season,” said Larry Brooks, Team Manager for HEP Motorsports/Suzuki. “He’s been incredibly tough and focused on delivering for the team each weekend, even while managing pain. This new development is unfortunate, but we support him fully in taking the necessary steps to heal properly.”
The timing is frustrating, but Roczen’s determination has been evident all season. His performance remained steady even as his physical condition worsened—an effort that didn’t go unnoticed by fans, competitors, and the broader motocross community.
Looking ahead, Roczen will likely miss at least the opening rounds of Pro Motocross but aims to return in time to make an impact during the second half of the outdoor season. That would give him enough time to get into race shape and regain rhythm ahead of the SuperMotocross Playoffs. In a championship that combines Supercross and Motocross points to crown a single world champion, every moto matters—and Roczen’s return, even partway through, could still influence the title picture.
For now, his focus turns entirely to recovery. While fans will miss seeing the #94 Suzuki line up behind the gate, the break offers Roczen the best chance to come back stronger and healthier. And in a sport where fractions of a second and inches of ground make all the difference, being at 100% is non-negotiable.