Suzuki’s RM-Z450 has won the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship at the hands of Ken Roczen and the Pipes Motorsport team.
Roczen took five main event wins on his way to the title, which he clinched at the weekend in Salt Lake City. At the season finale, Roczen arrived with the red plate and one-point advantage over his nearest rival. After the gate dropped for the final main event of the season, the German ace rounded turn one in second place but made a move for the lead a corner later. From there he led until the final stages, however, with the knowledge that his title rival had crashed behind him and with the title in mind, he took the chequered flag in fifth.
Out of 17 rounds he was inside the top five on 14 occasions, with 12 podium finishes across the campaign.
The championship is Roczen’s third major title on RM-Z450 machinery, after winning the 2016 AMA Pro Motocross Championship and the 2023 FIM World Supercross Championship.
Ken Roczen said after the final round, “What a fairy tale ending it has been for me and the team. It took so much work to get here. It wasn’t easy, and there were just a lot of nerves going on. When it counted the most in the main event we got a great start, made a pass happen, had an insane race, and then just had a little bit of peace and quiet toward the end to bring it home. It was a dreamy ending. We won the championship and it’s huge. I’ve already had an incredible time celebrating with the team but I can’t wait to really process everything.”
Takashi Ise, Suzuki Motor Corporation’s executive general manager, added, “We are truly proud that Roczen has captured the championship title. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the people who supported Roczen and the Suzuki RM-Z450. Roczen faced a period of difficulty due to injuries in the past. However, since re-joining Suzuki, he has steadily regained his form, and he has made a full comeback and won the title. Roczen’s attitude of always valuing his fans strongly resonates with our corporate slogan ‘By Your Side.’ We look forward to your continued support for Roczen and Suzuki.”
Suzuki’s RM-Z450 maintains a proven winning formula. In the UK it has won multiple Arenacross championships with the SR75 Suzuki team. It is available from authorised Suzuki dealerships for £7,499.
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