Image: Octopi Media.

The final rounds of Monster Energy Supercross will have the feeling of a new season when the gates drop in Utah on Sunday, which could serve as a boost for Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen.

Roczen is currently second in the 450SX point-standings and only three points down on red plate-holder Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki).

All seven rounds remaining will take place within Rice–Eccles Stadium at Salt Lake City as Supercross becomes one of the first professional sports to recommence since the COVID-19 pandemic placed the world on pause.

Recognized as a rider who delivers strong results in the early stages of the season, Roczen is in a strong position to capitalize across the next three weeks featuring consecutive races.

“I think, obviously if you look at my past, I am known for kind of coming out swinging,” Roczen said in the pre-race virtual press conference. “After three months or however long we’ve had this time off, you can definitely look at it like it’s the start of a new season.

“This will suit us well and I’ve prepared myself really well as well. I feel like I’m more ready and better than when I was racing earlier this year. I’m excited to kick things off again and really just trying to enjoy this crazy time. I’m ready, for sure.

“In previous years I’ve always come out really good in the beginning. We’ve all had plenty of time to get ready, so it’s going to be somewhat of a new start, but mentally I’m going straight back to where we left off and being in race-mode. I want to get back that comfort from when I was racing.”

Since winning his first main event in three years at St. Louis, Roczen has won three rounds in total during the unprecedented 2020 season, only missing the podium twice during the first 10 rounds prior to the break.