Image: Casey Davis.

There’s a sense of renewed excitement surrounding Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen as he prepares to return to competition at Fox Raceway for the 2022 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross opener.

Roczen opened the year Anaheim 1, but suffered from the effects of illness, which ended his Monster Energy Supercross campaign towards the beginning of March following Detroit.

Now, the German is motivated to make his mark outdoors and, after winning a moto at round one last year on his way to second overall, Roczen has proven in the past that he can come out strong in these early rounds. He’s physically improved and will carry a methodical approach into this weekend.

“[My health] is really coming around – I put in a lot of work,” stated Roczen. “We were expecting a little bit of a process and what not, but at the same time I am just really excited to be back racing.

“As much as I needed that break, it kills me being on the outside of racing and seeing those guys race… It’s just not the same being at home. Mentally I am in it, so I’m going to start racing this week and see where we are at and go from there. I’m not afraid to put in the work and I’m in a really great spot.

“At the same time, this round being at Fox Raceway is always a little bit unique. I’m trying to stay healthy and see where we are at after this weekend, at the same time not really try and go in circles depending on if we have to make changes to the bike. I’m just excited to get back.”

Roczen finished third in last year’s 450MX championship with seven moto victories to his credit, as season 2022 provides the opportunity for him to win a third Pro Motocross title. He previously clinched the championship in 2014 and 2016.