Today, Suzuki officially announced that Ken Roczen had signed a new deal to remain with the Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki squad for 2026. The brand hopes to keep him around longer than that, also, but for now, this is just a one-year extension.
Roczen re-upping with his current team seems like a simple plan, but it was actually a little more complex than that. We heard many rumors this season about Roczen’s status, as his deal was up and he’d certainly raised his own stock over these last three seasons back on Suzukis.
Remember the Ken Roczen of late 2022, who was such a free agent that he literally went around trying different bikes in public? There wasn’t a ton of interest in Ken by factory teams at that time, as he was coming off a tough season where he couldn’t even finish all 17 Monster Energy Supercross races, physically.
At one point, it looked like Ken might have to build his own program, until he started racing well again with Yarrive Konsky’s Australian-based Honda team (known as QuadLock Honda in America) in the inaugural season of FIM WSX. But just when it seemed like Ken might join Konsky’s U.S. operation, he test rode the HEP Suzuki in California. He liked it, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Ken became the feel-good story of 2023. He was back on a familiar brand he’d raced with multiple times earlier in his career, but also one that had struggled to win races…honestly since Roczen’s last season on yellow in 2016! Roczen’s 2023 victory at the Indianapolis Supercross, complete with a kickstarter in hand on the podium, renewed everyone’s love for the popular German rider. He followed that with a great performance in the first season of the SMX World Championship, more success in WSX, and Monster Energy AMA Supercross wins in 2024 and 2025, as well. Roczen also forged a great relationship with Team Manager Larry Brooks.
With all that, Roczen was well back on the radar as a race-winning 450 guy, and there aren’t many of those. That led to rumors of other teams interested in his services again, like Roczen joining Ducati’s new team with Troy Lee Designs. Heck, recently, there were even rumors that Monster Energy Kawasaki could add Roczen to replace Jorge Prado for a 450 slot. Crazy stuff.
Meanwhile, HEP Suzuki owner Dustin Pipes never acted worried when he heard the Roczen rumors brought up. In the end, his team will remain the home of Ken Roczen for 2026, and Pipes hopes for more.
“We’ve achieved great success together and look forward to continuing to build upon it,” said Pipes in today’s press release. “We want to see Ken on a yellow Suzuki motorcycle for the rest of his career.”
Since this partnership has gone so well, it’s exciting enough to see it continue. Even better, Roczen hinted at progress for the future, which, considering Suzuki’s RM-Z450 hasn’t seen many changes lately, is intriguing.
“I think we have a lot up our sleeve for the 2026 season, and I am excited to continue this relationship,” Ken said.
Could that mean some new technology? We’ll see.
Here’s the official press release from Suzuki.
Ken Roczen Returns to Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki for 2026
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC and Pipes Motorsports Group are excited to announce that Ken Roczen has re-signed to continue racing with the Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki team aboard the RM-Z450 for the 2026 SuperMotocross season.
Roczen, one of the sport’s most talented and popular riders, enters 2026 with renewed energy and high expectations. Building on the strong foundation developed over the past three years with the team, Ken looks to return to full health and contend for wins and championship points from the opening round. Roczen delivered standout results in 2025, taking the points lead and holding the red plate for a while, and carding an inspiring win at the Daytona Supercross, arguably the season’s toughest and most prestigious event.
“I’m excited to sign another year with the team,” shared Ken Roczen. “We have built a solid foundation over the last few years, and I’m excited to continue to work with the people that I have worked with for the last four years because I feel like that is when the best results come. I think we have a lot up our sleeve for the 2026 season, and I am excited to continue this relationship.”
“Re-signing Ken Roczen was an easy decision. He led the points last year, delivered one of the sport’s most iconic wins at Daytona, and continues to raise the bar for our program. The next step is to keep building on that success, with a championship always being the ultimate goal we’re working toward together.” said Chris Wheeler, Motorsports Manager at Suzuki Motor USA.
“Very excited to have Ken back with the team for what will be our fourth-year building together.” added Dustin Pipes, Team Principal at Pipes Motorsports Group. “We’ve achieved great success together and look forward to continuing to build upon it. We want to see Ken on a yellow Suzuki motorcycle for the rest of his career.”
Roczen continues to be a fan favorite and a cornerstone of the Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki program. With a strong pre-season plan, a proven, championship-caliber bike, and the support of an experienced team, expectations are high for Ken to start the new season at peak form.
Fans will get their first look at Roczen’s 2026 campaign when the SuperMotocross season kicks off January 10th at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
