In a heated exchange that’s making waves across the motocross community, 2023 AMA Supercross Champion, Haiden Deegan, has responded to Ken Roczen’s recent comments about the FIM allegedly manipulating results in favor of Eli Tomac. Roczen, who has had his fair share of battles with Tomac over the years, recently made headlines by claiming that there’s a conspiracy behind some of Tomac’s victories—suggesting that the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) might be influencing outcomes to ensure Tomac’s success, particularly as he was nearing the end of his career.
Deegan, no stranger to controversy, wasted no time in firing back, calling Roczen’s accusations “ridiculous” and “out of touch.” The 19-year-old, who has quickly established himself as one of the sport’s rising stars, was blunt in his criticism of Roczen’s remarks.
“It’s so hard for me to even listen to,” Deegan said in a recent interview. “Ken’s been around long enough to know that the FIM doesn’t play those kinds of games. To say something like that—especially about Eli, who’s one of the hardest-working guys in the sport—it’s just disrespectful to the competition, the fans, and everyone involved.”
Deegan’s response didn’t hold back, stressing that while Roczen may have his personal frustrations, the sport of motocross and Supercross is bigger than any single rider. “Ken’s a great rider, but that’s a statement that just doesn’t hold water. We’re all pushing our limits out there every weekend, and there’s no need for these kinds of conspiracy theories. Eli earned every one of his wins, period.”
The comments quickly sparked a flood of reactions from fans, fellow riders, and industry insiders. Some supporters rallied behind Roczen, pointing to the long-standing rivalries and the occasional oddities in race results that fuel skepticism. However, the overwhelming majority seemed to side with Deegan’s perspective—many of whom felt that Roczen’s outburst was a misguided attempt to explain away his own struggles on the track, rather than a legitimate criticism of the sport’s integrity.
Deegan also went on to highlight how far motocross has come in terms of fairness and transparency. “We’re in a different era now,” he continued. “The sport has evolved so much in terms of fairness, technology, and athlete performance. It’s easy to look at a rider who’s dominating and think something fishy is going on, but that’s just part of competition. Eli’s had a great career, and he’s a great champion.”
While Deegan’s reaction was swift, it also emphasized a larger point about the nature of competition in Supercross. The idea that the FIM could be manipulating results was quickly dismissed by others in the industry, with many agreeing that the governing body is more focused than ever on ensuring that races are fair and transparent. At the end of the day, it’s not the FIM’s interference that leads to success; it’s the grit, determination, and skill of the riders.
For Deegan, it seems that the focus should be squarely on the track and the hard work that goes into every race. “We should be talking about racing, not these wild accusations,” he said. “If you’re upset, put your helmet on and let the bike do the talking. That’s what real champions do.”
As the dust settles on this latest controversy, one thing is clear: Haiden Deegan is making it known that he’s not just a future star in the sport, but also an outspoken figure ready to call out any comments he feels don’t reflect the reality of professional motocross. With his candid approach to the Roczen-Tomac situation, it seems like the young rider is ready to tackle not just the competition on the track, but also the tough conversations off it.
