AMA Supercross: Ken Roczen defeats Hunter Lawrence to claim memorable title

The championship decider, which started with both competitors separated by just a single point, certainly delivered on the theatrics that everyone hoped for. 

Roczen, who is currently 32 years of age, had never previously won an AMA Supercross title, and it will mean even more considering the injuries he has had to battle throughout his career. After crashing during the Heat Race and being forced to start from 9th at the gate, Roczen rallied spectacularly and defeated Hunter Lawrence in the head-to-head showdown. Despite being passed late by several riders, he held on to P5 which was enough to secure the title.

Hunter Lawrence, who entered the weekend with five wins so far this season and had a 31-point lead at one point in the championship, initially took the holeshot, but was quickly passed by Roczen and forced to play catch-up. As pressure began to mount from Spain’s Jorge Prado behind, Lawrence dropped the bike and fell to 7th place, from which he was unable to recover any ground.

Meanwhile in the 250 class, Haiden Deegan waved farewell after a historic career in the category before moving up to 450. 

In an incredible showdown with New Zealand’s Cole Davies, in which the pair made contact several times, Deegan eventually fell on several occasions and was only able to finish in P4, but provided a spectacular show nonetheless.