VICE VOICE BOX: KEN ROCZEN VS. ELI TOMAC
The 2014 Monster Energy Supercross season has been a hot-topic of discussion in recent weeks, for a variety of reasons. Obviously, the fact that both Ken Roczen, and Eli Tomac have joined the premier 450SX class has been a point of interest for most. So, before the start of the season, we asked you how you thought the two rookies would fare this year. Obviously, Eli crashed and injured himself at Anaheim 1. However, we still thought that it would be interesting to see how all of your predictions have panned out thus far. So, here are a handful of the best, most detailed answers that we received when we asked this question before Anaheim 1: Who will be stronger this year, Ken Roczen or Eli Tomac? JASON MEARA (FACEBOOK): Roczen will be faster this year, as his style suits the 450 a lot better than Tomac. Tomac rides a bike very hard, which won’t be easily done on a big bike, whereas Roczen rides it very smoothly and doesn’t rev the engine a lot, which will mean fewer mistakes.
RICHARD HEMMINGS (@HEMMINGS318): [Ken] Roczen will have the edge this season; he beat Tomac at the Motocross des Nations, which was a huge statement. Plus, he is training with Aldon Baker. ADAM KEEFE (FACEBOOK): I reckon Ken will start off well and be consistent all season, whereas Eli will start off poor but improve rapidly by the second half of the season. GARY CAMPBELL (FACEBOOK): I think [Eli] Tomac will consistently do better over the course of a season. Roczen might have a few races of sheer brilliance and better results than Tomac, but I feel his style will see him crash more than Tomac on a 450.
GLENN LINNET (FACEBOOK): Tomac takes after his dad; his work ethic is stronger than anyone out there. But, Roczen has more talent – you put the two together and you have a battle.
STEPHEN WADE (FACEBOOK): Roczen, for two reasons. Firstly, Roczen has out performed Tomac in the handful of times that both have ridden 450 as wildcards. Secondly, Roczen is training with Aldon Baker, which shows that he is willing to change his program to be successful – Aldon Baker makes champions!
GIBB GAVIN (@G1BS_G1VNR): I think Tomac will be, because his program is solid and proven. Eli doesn’t wear out as the season goes on, and he only worries about himself.
CRAIG MARSDEN (FACEBOOK): I think Roczen’s style will suit the bigger bike better, as he is a lot smoother. Tomac’s too aggressive – he needs to mellow out a bit like [Justin] Barcia has done this year.
CHARLES HANKIN (FACEBOOK): I think Eli, because of the simple fact that he has kept his head down and shows amazing speed when he is focused. Roczen is the faster of the two, but his head always seems to be doing other stuff; he almost seems too relaxed with his speed.
SHANE MILLWARD (FACEBOOK): I think Roczen will be stronger than Eli and have the edge on him, as long as the KTM doesn’t have any problems like [Ryan] Dungey’s bike did last year!
7 | MX Vice - March 2014 - Issue 1