How is the Honda transition going for Ken Roczen? “Smooth as a baby’s bottom,” he replied with a grin to the media aboard Honda’s holiday boat ride in Newport bay on December 28. Ahead of the 2017 Supercross season, factory HRC invited media to join the team and sponsors for a casual cocktail party to celebrate what they expect will be a great year for the brand.
Roczen was joined by Cole Seely and many other Honda team members including Dan Bentley and Andrew Short on the evening cruise. In a short introduction, Bentley and the riders talked a little about the upcoming season, all commenting that they are very happy with the development of the new 2017 Honda CRF450R.
“I gotta say huge thanks to the guys that have done an amazing job already, that put this bike where it’s at right now,” Kenny Roczen said. “We’re about to start racing and I ain’t worried at all, I can tell you that much. I’m feeling really comfortable with all the people on the team and with the bike.”
Confidence and expectations are high at Honda, as the factory HRC team looks forward to the start of the AMA Supercross season. With a new machine and a solid duo in place, they are ready to change the tide in 2017.
“I have a lot of great memories—mostly good—with Dan,” Andrew Short said with a laugh. Shorty is happy to be wearing red again.
