Ken Roczen secures Supercross title
By Team TMX on 11th May 26
The 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship reached a dramatic conclusion in Salt Lake City, where Ken Roczen delivered a career-defining performance to secure his first premier class title in a winner-take-all finale.
A single point separated Roczen and Hunter Lawrence heading into the 17th and final round at Rice-Eccles Stadium, setting up one of the closest title deciders in Supercross history. With everything on the line, the Main Event unfolded exactly as expected – intense, tactical, and ultimately decisive.
Lawrence grabbed the holeshot, but Roczen wasted no time asserting control, making an early move into the lead as Jorge Prado and Chase Sexton slotted in behind. The two title contenders quickly settled into a rhythm, shadowing each other in a high-pressure opening phase.
The race evolved into a three-rider battle as Prado closed in, forcing Lawrence to up the pace. That pressure proved costly. A small mistake off track was followed by a heavier crash that dropped the Australian down the order and effectively ended his title hopes.
From there, the dynamic shifted. Sexton surged forward, picking off Prado before closing rapidly on Roczen. With just minutes remaining, the Kawasaki rider made his move for the lead and never looked back, taking his second win of the season and a fourth consecutive Salt Lake City victory.
Behind him, the fight for the championship played out. Roczen, aware of the bigger picture, managed the race as rivals closed in, eventually crossing the line in fifth. It was enough.
At 32 years old, in his 13th season at the top level, Roczen finally secured the elusive Supercross crown – becoming the oldest champion in the sport’s history.
Justin Cooper capitalised on the late-race intensity to snatch second from Prado on the final lap, with the Spaniard completing the podium in third. Lawrence recovered to seventh, just behind Roczen, as the title slipped from his grasp.
In the final standings, just three points separated Roczen and Lawrence, underlining the razor-thin margins that defined the championship. Both riders claimed five wins and 12 podiums across the season, but it was Roczen’s resilience and consistency that ultimately made the difference.
