Chase Sexton put on a dominant performance at the 2025 Anaheim 1 Supercross, claiming a well-earned victory in a thrilling battle with Ken Roczen. The opening round of the season couldn’t have been more exciting, as the two riders engaged in a fierce, back-and-forth duel that kept fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
After crossing the finish line, Sexton was visibly relieved but also ecstatic about his win, taking a moment to soak it all in. “I’m here to win, and tonight was exactly what I’ve been working for,” he said, his face lighting up with a smile. “Ken is a great competitor, and battling with him is always intense. But I came into this race with one goal: to leave with the win.”
The race itself was a rollercoaster, with Sexton and Roczen swapping the lead multiple times throughout. Sexton’s speed and precision were on full display, but Roczen’s relentless pressure and calculated moves kept him within striking distance at all times. The two exchanged position after position, with the Anaheim crowd roaring every time they came around the corner.
“It was a fiery battle,” Sexton admitted. “Ken was pushing me every lap. We were both trying to find the smallest edge. I knew I couldn’t make mistakes, and when I did, he was right there to take advantage. It was a game of cat and mouse, and I had to stay focused on what I was doing.”
The turning point came in the final laps. Sexton made a calculated move, finding an opening in one of the rhythm sections where Roczen had a slight misstep. It was a risky moment, but Sexton made it stick, securing the lead and holding on until the finish line.
“When I saw Ken drift a little wide, I knew I had to capitalize,” Sexton explained. “It was now or never. I didn’t want to give him another chance to pass me, so I put my head down and rode the last few laps as hard as I could.”
Sexton’s experience showed in those final laps, as he maintained his composure under the pressure, a trait that he’s become known for. His ability to stay calm and execute under intense conditions made the difference between a win and a loss.
“Ken made me work for every inch,” Sexton said with respect for his rival. “It’s always tough racing against him, but I knew I was ready for it. I just had to stay in my zone and trust my bike. The team has been working so hard, and it feels great to get this first win of the season.”
For Roczen, it was a hard-fought second-place finish, but despite his disappointment, he acknowledged the battle with Sexton. “Chase rode well, and that was a tough race,” Roczen said. “I thought I had a few opportunities to make a move, but he held it together. It’s going to be a long season, and I’ll be back stronger. But tonight, Chase earned it.”
For Sexton, the win is more than just a podium finish—it’s a statement. After a year of near-misses and close calls, he’s shown that he’s back to his championship-winning form. “This is the kind of race I want to build off of,” Sexton said. “There’s a long road ahead, but this is the momentum I needed to start the season right.”
As the 2025 Supercross season progresses, it’s clear that Sexton and Roczen will be two of the main contenders, with their rivalry adding another layer of excitement to an already action-packed championship. Fans can expect more fiery battles between these two as they chase down the ultimate goal: the championship.
