“American fans hate me and I don’t really care,” Ken Roczen begins, his voice calm but direct, as he reflects on the criticism he’s faced from certain sections of the American motocross community. It’s been a long journey for the German-born rider, and as much as he’s loved and admired by fans around the world, there’s always a vocal minority in the U.S. who seem to find fault with his every move.
“I’ve been here in the States for a long time now. I’ve given my heart and soul to this sport, and I’ve tried to represent it the best I can. But let’s be honest, it’s always been tough for me with American fans,” he continues. “I don’t know what it is, but there’s this weird expectation that I should be this perfect, all-American hero. I’m not. I’m me.”
Roczen admits that in the early days of his career in the U.S., the idea of living up to American expectations weighed heavily on him. “When I first came over here, I really wanted to be accepted. I wanted to be that guy that everyone rooted for, and it meant everything to me,” he confesses. “But over time, I started to realize that no matter how much you give, it’s never going to be enough for some people. They’ll always find something to criticize. And that’s fine. I’m used to it now.”
The criticism hasn’t been limited to his performance on the track. As one of the most successful foreign riders to ever compete in AMA Supercross and motocross, Roczen has also been targeted for his background. “I’m from Germany, and no matter how much I’ve tried to prove myself, some people can’t get past that. It’s like they want me to fail because I’m not ‘one of them.’ That’s their problem, not mine. It’s hard for them to see me as a champion, but they don’t realize I’m fighting for my own success, not for their approval.”
While it’s clear Roczen has become more indifferent to the harsh words from critics, he’s still deeply passionate about the sport. “I love this sport. I love the challenge, the grind, the racing. It’s been my life for so long, and it’s what I do best. That’s never changed. But people seem to forget that I’m human too,” he says. “I’ve had my injuries, my setbacks. I’ve battled mental health issues, things that a lot of people don’t know about. But I keep pushing because I owe it to myself, to my team, and to my family.”
Roczen’s relationship with American fans is complicated. While he has a dedicated fanbase that cheers him on, the critics are hard to ignore. “The truth is, I don’t think I’ll ever be fully accepted by everyone here,” he says with a sigh. “But I’ve come to terms with it. At the end of the day, I know who I am, and I know what I’ve accomplished. I don’t need validation from anyone. I’ve been in this sport long enough to know that success doesn’t come without sacrifices, and I’ve made plenty of those.”
It’s not all negativity, though. Roczen appreciates the fans who do support him. “I’ve had some amazing experiences with fans in the U.S. The people who really understand the sport and appreciate the hard work we put in—that’s who I ride for. I’ll always be grateful for them,” he adds. “But the ones who hate on me? I’m just not going to waste my energy on them anymore.”
