Houston 2 penalties result in Roczen losing 450SX points-lead
Multiple riders docked points after jumping through red cross flag.
Image: Supplied.
Penalties applied to various riders following the 450SX main event in Monster Energy Supercross at Houston 2 have resulted in Ken Roczen losing the points-lead.
Roczen had provisionally moved to take over the red plate following a wild second round of the season, a single point ahead of opening round winner Justin Barcia.
However, Team Honda HRC’s Roczen, Jason Anderson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna), Vince Friese (Smartop Bullfrog Spas MCR Honda) and Martin Davalos (Monster Energy Team Tedder KTM) were all docked four points each due to jumping through a red cross flag when Chase Sexton (Team Honda HRC) crashed out.
Roczen is now fifth, three points outside of the lead and strongly disagreeing with the sanctions from the FIM and AMA. He posted photos from when the incident took place and explained his case after being disappointed with the handling of the situation.
“Before I get into my night, I wanted to say that I am disappointed in how this situation was handled,” Roczen stated on social media. “I just wanted to get you guys an idea of what the deal was. Put yourself under my helmet – there is a video with a better angle that the AMA has which made it even more clear.
“I got docked four championship points because of jumping on a red cross flag, even though my vision at this part of the track was blocked because Dylan took the outside line and as I came around the sand turn, he was positioned perfectly in front of the flag and I could not see it.
“I have never disrespected the red cross flag ever before and in my eyes this was clearly not a blatant violation. This situation was very unique and the timing of it was so special that a warning or a fine would have been a lot more appropriate. I have spoke my peace.
“I’m just disappointed with the decision, especially since it says it black and white in the rule book. A situation like this instead of a fine is not fair – it just simply wasn’t ‘BLATANT’. There were more factors than just simply jumping on a red cross flag… anyway, I’ll just deal with it. That means no red plate, it’s all good though.”
While the penalties do not change the final results from NRG Stadium on Tuesday night since riders didn’t lose any positions from the main event, it has resulted in TLD Red Bull GasGas rider Barcia holding onto the red plate ahead of Dylan Ferrandis and Justin Brayton.
Recent
