While the signing of Germany’s Ken Roczen has been the talking point of the off-season, H.E.P Suzuki are seriously building for the 2023 AMA supercross season.
With former World MX2 champion and two time AMA 450 motocross champion Roczen as the lead rider, the Suzuki team also has the services of Marshal Weltin and Kyle Chisholm for the new season.
With AMA and World Supercross aspirations, expect the yellow bikes to be on or around the box in 2023.
Brought up to the team as a fill-in rider during the 2022 Outdoor National Championships, fast-charging Michigan native Welton earned his spot on the team through a relentless work ethic and season best 10th overall finish during the 2022 campaign.
Chisholm has a multi-year contract that will see Chisholm compete on the Suzuki RM-Z450 in the coming seasons.
A 450 class veteran, Chisholm brings a wealth of knowledge to the H.E.P. Motorsports team.
While also competing professionally, Chisholm will serve a lead role in bike development for the team, a role the team is already seeing benefits from.
Look for a complete team announcement in the near future, but in the meantime make sure you are ready to cheer on the No.11 machine at the season opener in Anaheim, CA.
Of course the sign-on of Roczen as its premier rider for the 2023 season is huge for the team.
The former AMA motocross champion Roczen will be aboard a Suzuki RM-Z450. Roczen, who won his most recent championship on a Suzuki, will be reunited with the brand and bring his exciting style, determination, and grit back to the RM Army.
Roczen will compete in the upcoming 2023 Supercross and Motocross Championship series which is set to start on January 7 at Anaheim Stadium in Southern California.
“I am beyond excited to reconnect with Suzuki for the 3rd time in my career. We’ve had a lot of success in the past and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish together in our future.” said Roczen.
“I have a lot of confidence in Suzuki and the H.E.P. Motorsports program and I am excited to finally get the new year going with a fresh start. From the moment I got on the bike I felt right at home. It has been a welcome surprise how quickly I’ve adapted to the bike and the team. We will be ready to go racing come January 7.”
A homecoming of sorts, Roczen and Suzuki enjoyed much success in the past including a very successful amateur career in his native Germany on Suzuki motocross machines.
Pictured above in action aboard the prior-generation Suzuki RM-Z450, Roczen won the AMA 450 Motocross Championship in 2016. Roczen and Suzuki are determined to continue this tradition of success in 2023 on the Suzuki RM-Z450 in Supercross and Motocross competition.
“We are pleased to have Ken back on a Suzuki and part of the RM Army,” said Chris Wheeler, Motorsports Manager for Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.
“Ken’s experience, determination and incredible skill are everything we need to help Suzuki and H.E.P. Motorsports achieve the success we are all striving for in 2023.
“Everyone is super excited to have Ken Roczen on board” said Dustin Pipes, Team Principal at H.E.P. Motorsports. “Having Ken as part of our team is sure to elevate our performance and we can’t wait to go racing at A1 in January.”
Photo courtesy Suzuki
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