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SUZUKI’S KEN ROCZEN EARNS THIRD PODIUM RESULT OF SEASON AT HOUSTON SUPERCROSS

Brea, CA – (February 2, 2026) – Round Four of the 17-Round Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship delivered the season’s first Triple Crown race and the first event inside a domed stadium. Triple Crown events combine results from three Races, each 12-minutes plus one lap in the 450SX Class, to determine the event’s overall standings. Long ruts through corner exits on the track inside NRG Stadium rewarded precise technique; The Houston Supercross was a test of minimizing mistakes through the rhythm sections rather than pushing the envelope of outright speed. 

Race Highlights:

  • Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Ecstar Suzuki
    • 450 Class
      • Ken Roczen dominated Race 1 and earned third place overall with (1-5-4) Race scores.
  • Twisted Tea Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance
    • 450 Class
      • Jason Anderson led laps in Race 3 and racked up (6-7-5) Race scores to earn sixth overall.
      • Colt Nichols delivered season-best qualifying results and moved up one position in the championship standings.

Ken Roczen (94) holeshot and led Race 1 from start to finish. He battled to within one pass of the event overall victory during a thrilling Race 3.

Ken Roczen (94) held a tight inside line in the first corner of Race 1; he nabbed the holeshot and quickly put a comfortable gap on the field. Roczen held strong under mid-race pressure and never relinquished the lead. Roczen spent the early laps of Race 2 recovering from a ninth-place start. Roczen made several passes early, and with two laps to go nearly took over fourth place until a small mistake in a rhythm relegated him to fifth place. Entering Race 3, Roczen was tied for the win in event points. When the gate dropped, Roczen bumped another rider down the start straight and emerged from the first turn in 11th spot. Then on the opening lap Roczen had a very close call with a mid-air collision over the finish line jump. Roczen kept it on two wheels and moved quickly into fourth place, where he held the event overall score in points. A small mistake in a rhythm section midway through the Race cost Roczen the spot that changed his overall event position to third in Houston. 

“I was comfortable on the track [early], although when the racing came around the track was pretty sketchy; it was very high-speed and we had a couple odd obstacles that enhanced that a little bit,” said Roczen. “I started off the first Race with the holeshot, or a near holeshot. [From there I] was in the lead the whole time and was able to win that one. That felt really good to start the night off with a good result like that. The second Race was a little bit tougher, as I didn't get off the gate as well. But I was able to ride my way up to fifth, and we ended up finishing there. That it made it tight for the for the overall going into Race three; I was tied with [one rider], and [another rider] was two points behind me… I knew what I had to do and where I had to be [at the checkered flag] to be able to pull off the overall. There was a lot of madness going on in that last one. Going over the finish line jump on the first lap [I had] a near-collision and it was very sketchy, but we all got out of it good. Then the battle started. In the middle of the Race, I lost a couple of spots because I missed the rhythm section, and I ended up being right behind [the rider I was tied with in event points]. Unfortunately, that put us from first to third [overall]. I don't want to complain, because it is a podium, but it is tough when [a win is] right in front of you and you just didn't get it. Nonetheless, we’re happy to finish it off healthy here on the podium. The championship is looking really good, too.”

Jason Anderson (21) led laps and racked up several fastest-Sector times over the three-race format of the Houston Supercross.

Jason Anderson (21) battled just outside of the top five in Race 1 and was never far off the pace of the race leader, his Suzuki teammate. On the third lap Anderson posted the fasted time through Sector 1 of the track. In the second Race, Anderson arrived first at the first corner, but an outside gate pick put him outside in the corner and he crossed the holeshot stripe in second. Anderson put in strong laps, posted the fastest time through Sector 1, and carded seventh place. Anderson then went on a charge in Race 3; after crossing the holeshot stripe in third place, he pushed his way into the lead. Anderson led several laps and posted the fastest Sector 2 time; on the final lap he again nabbed the fastest Sector 1 time when the track was at its toughest. 

“I feel like my speed is better than what my result shows. We fought hard, ended up sixth overall, and I was one point out of fourth,” stated Anderson. “So, it would have been nice to be able to stay in the top five, but we'll keep working and see if we can get there next weekend; but obviously we want to be further up even than that.” 

It was ‘mission accomplished’ in Houston for Colt Nichols (45), who improved his morning performance with season-best results in both qualifying sessions and the overall qualifying standings.

Colt Nichols (45) entered the night’s racing with his best speed of the year, but unfortunately emerged from the first turn of Race 1 well outside of the top 15. After dropping back a few more positions early, Nichols put on an incredible charge that took him past eight other riders. Nichols was off to a strong start in Race 2 with a top ten spot at the holeshot stripe. Nichols battled inside the top ten on the opening lap. Approximately four laps later Nichols had a tip over that cost him ten spots. In Race 3 Nichols earned another top-ten start and used fast, consistent times to deliver a top-15 Race result. 

“It was a much better day for me, start to finish; the results don't show it, but practice was way better. I was single digit [in qualifying] for a long time, and ended up qualifying overall P-13,” said Nichols. “In the first Race I got 13th. In the second Race I crashed and then just could not get going; I had a really bad finish there. And then in the third Race I got out of the gate a lot better and then just didn't quite ride like I wanted to for the first few laps. We have some stuff to work on, per usual, but I feel like I'm in a much better spot; I’m finally knocking the sickness I had, so we’ll be good to go for next weekend.” 

“It was a good night in Houston; back on the podium for Ken Roczen with a great ride for the win in the first Race,” reported Dustin Pipes, Principal for the Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance Team. “We were just a couple mistakes away from a win, and the riding was great. Jason Anderson continues to improve as well with a sixth place. He’s getting great starts and putting himself in position to succeed. Although the results won’t show it because of a fall in the second race, Colt Nichols’ day was much improved as well. Phoenix is up next and it’s a venue that’s been good to us in the past.”

The Supercross schedule next takes the riders to State Farm Stadium in Glendale Arizona on Saturday, February 7th. The Suzuki riders and team members are excited about the successes in Houston and will keep the strong momentum going into the Glendale round.

For the latest team updates, news, and race insights, visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/Motocross or HEPMotorsports.com.

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About Suzuki
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.