Haiden Deegan and Ken Roczen gear up for Buenos Aires City GP

Haiden Deegan, who is set to make his debut in the 450cc SX1 class, and two-time World Supercross Champion Ken Roczen, who returns riding for Pipes Motor Group, shared their thoughts ahead of the season opener at the Buenos Aires City GP.

Deegan’s venture to South America marks several notable milestones in the 19-year-old’s rapidly rising career. Not only does this round offer him the chance to compete in the premier class for the first time against some seasoned and well-established competitors, but it also represents his first journey outside of the United States. For the young rider, the experience is as much about development as it is about performance.

It feels like home when I get on the 450 and that is a positive thing.

“I am very excited,” he said while speaking at the Oscar and Juan Galvez racetrack. “It feels like home when I get on the 450 and that is a positive thing… I am just going to use this to learn. Obviously, I am a guy that wants to be up front, but I want to go and learn, especially from these guys who have been doing it a while.”

Roczen is Ready

While Deegan is cutting his teeth in the series, 31-year-old Roczen is one of the sport’s seasoned veterans.

The German rider, known for his smooth style and resilience, saw his previous season curtailed due to an injury but says he is now fit again and eager to return to form.

He said: “My body actually feels really good. I came back from an ankle injury, but I was able to have a bunch of weeks of consecutive training. I feel physically good. I am going to give 100 percent my best and hopefully leave on the top step of the podium, but we have very strong competition this year, so the race can go whichever way. The fun thing about the first race is that nobody really knows where they stack up.”

I feel physically good. I am going to give 100 percent my best and hopefully leave on the top step of the podium.

With both riders bringing contrasting stages of experience and ambition, fans can expect an electrifying start to the new season as youth meets experience under the South American lights.