Ken Roczen has blasted back with a stunning win in the opening heat of the second round of the SMX championship in USA. The German, who is also the AMA 450 supercross champion held a top five spot early, before passing a handful of riders to take a close win over Jorge Prado, who had led a lot of the laps. Prado finished second and Haiden Deegan was third.

Ken Roczen: I am just going. We did some tweaks with the bike and there are some tricky areas, but its super intense and I am happy with this win, stoked about it. Jorge was so close (and quiet) I thought Deegan was second and then I saw Jorge behind me and got it going.

Jorge Prado: The goal was to win, but we had a medical flag, and I slowed up and Kenny got closer. I tried switching lines and I got close in the last laps, and I tried to push in the past lap. It was tough with the shadows, and I am okay with P2 and hopefully we improve for the second one.

Haiden Deegan: I just got a good start, but Ken is good in those opening laps. I need to sprint in those first few laps and go after it.

The Race

Prado with the lead and Webb and Deegan behind him. Hunter Lawrence well back, as Deegan passed Webb for second place. Roczen passed Deegan and Tomac passed Webb. Prado and Roczen dropping Deegan, with Tomac next, then Webb, Lawrence, Stewart, Plessinger, Marchbanks, and Friese.

At 12 minutes, the lead by Prado was 1.5 seconds over Roczen, with Deegan 2.6 seconds back, then Tomac, Webb, Lawrence, Stewart, Plessinger, Marchbanks, and Hampshire 10th. Roczen into the lead as he passed Prado, and Deegan back in third and 2.6 behind those guys.

Lawrence into fourth place and going after Deegan. The lead by Roczen over Prado was two seconds, with Deegan four seconds back. A three-way battle for the lead as Deegan has caught Prado, who was right on the back wheel of Roczen. Lawrence was 13 seconds off the pace.

Prado and Roczen in a great battle, as they dropped Deegan again, and Roczen wins it from Prado, Deegan and Lawrence. Then came Webb, Tomac, Stewart. Roczen wins from Prado and Deegan.

450 Moto One