Ken Roczen Stays with HEP Suzuki in a Development Role—MXGP in 2026!

HEP Suzuki is thrilled to announce that Ken Roczen will remain with the brand for 2025 and 2026. During the first year of this new agreement, the accomplished racer—who secured a strong finish in the 2024 AMA Supercross Championship—will transition into a development role between Suzuki and the HEP Motorsports team to refine the RM-Z450 ahead of its highly anticipated MXGP debut. Then, in 2026, Roczen will return to racing full-time by joining the premier class of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

Having been instrumental in shaping the RM-Z450 throughout his tenure, Roczen is the ideal choice for this hybrid role. His extensive experience, unmatched professionalism, and multiple career wins make him a valuable asset to Suzuki. Given his podium-worthy performances in 2024, Suzuki had no hesitation in retaining the services of the German superstar.

In this new role, Roczen will work closely with Suzuki’s in-house engineering team and the HEP Motorsports crew throughout 2025. This pivotal position will ensure the RM-Z450 is fully optimized for its MXGP debut in 2026 while allowing the team ample time to tailor its settings for the diverse circuits on the MXGP calendar.

Ken Roczen

“I’m incredibly proud to continue my journey with HEP Suzuki. Next year, I’ll be taking on a unique role by working alongside Suzuki’s development team to prepare the RM-Z450 for my return to MXGP racing in 2026. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help shape the bike that I’ll be competing with on the global stage. To be part of Suzuki’s first MXGP campaign in years and do it with a team I trust is truly special. I’m excited to dive into this new chapter and can’t wait to line up for the MXGP season in 2026.”

Dustin Pipes – HEP Motorsports Team Manager

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Ken Roczen remain with HEP Suzuki as we take this next step in our program. With the decision to enter MXGP in 2026, Ken’s role in 2025 will be critical in ensuring the RM-Z450 is ready to compete at the highest level. Ken’s commitment and professionalism have always set him apart, and having someone of his caliber developing the bike gives us a significant advantage. His familiarity with the team and the bike will be key in making a smooth and successful transition into MXGP.”

This partnership is poised to solidify Suzuki’s return to the MXGP scene as a competitive force, with Roczen at the helm. All eyes will be on 2026 as Suzuki and Ken Roczen aim to make a powerful statement on the world stage.