Image: Octopi Media.

Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen will sit out the 2020 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, to be replaced by Christian Craig alongside Chase Sexton for the entire season from Loretta Lynn’s opener this Saturday.

Roczen – soon to become a father – battled a series of health issues through the Salt Lake City rounds of Monster Energy Supercross, now instead focusing on regaining full fitness in the lead-up to the 2021 season.

“Taking this shortened outdoor season off was a very difficult decision, but I’m confident it’s what’s best for me and my team in the long run,” Roczen explained. “It will be good to regroup, let my body heal, enjoy this important experience with Courtney and build back up for 2021. I’d like to thank my team and sponsors for having my back through this and I look forward to supporting Chase and Christian from home this summer before once again doing my job the best I possibly can.”

American Honda manager of advertising and motorcycle sports Brandon Wilson said: “Of course we’re disappointed that we won’t have Ken in the pits and on the track for the upcoming outdoors season. He’s an important part of the Honda family and it won’t be the same without him.

“That said, as a company and a team, we support Ken during this special time, and in his efforts to get back to full strength. We look forward to working closely with him during this period and attacking 2021 with him in top form.”

This season marks the second time that Craig is filling in for Roczen aboard the factory CRF450R for the complete outdoor season, also riding with the team during 2017 on his way to 11th in the final standings. In addition, he began the 2018 motocross series with Team Honda HRC, but was injured Glen Helen’s second round.