Image: Octopi Media.

Illness struck Ken Roczen leading into Arlington, later describing round seven of the Monster Energy Supercross season as a ‘suffer-fest’ despite leading much of 450SX main event on his way to P4.

Roczen, 31, was quick from the outset inside AT&T Stadium, recording the second-fastest lap-time by the conclusion of the afternoon sessions in the premier class.

The Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki rider then claimed victory in the opening heat race, before crossing the holeshot line second in the main event, only to make a decisive pass on Cooper Webb (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) for the lead on the opening lap.

He held firm at the front and fended off multiple challenges, before eventually relinquishing the lead to breakout winner Hunter Lawrence (Honda HRC Progressive) with six minutes remaining, subsequently dropping a further two positions to secure a hard-fought fourth-place finish.

“[It was a] suffer-fest last night in Arlington – I got progressively more ill as the weekend neared,” Roczen recounted. “I did everything I could to have a good night and I am happy with the effort that I put in. I barely had like 15 minutes in me, but I would have been out of breath walking up a flight of stairs.

“Anyway, I salvaged what I could, and I still believe it was a good night for us. Starts were good, racing was good, but I had no extra to give by any means. I’m going to get healthy this week and I am looking forward to going to Daytona this coming weekend.”

Roczen sits 18 points behind 450SX series leader Lawrence after seven rounds, with the championship set to continue at the Daytona Supercross this Saturday, where he claimed victory one year ago.