Ken Roczen Makes Major Announcement, Becomes US Citizen

Despite only hosting races in North America, the Monster Energy AMA Supercross grid represents a wide range of nationalities across all its classes, including Australia, France and Japan.

Currently, Ken Roczen raises the flag of Germany, representing a list of notable competitors from the Deutschland. Maximilian Nagl competed in the Motocross World Championship until 2019. Pit Beirer also competed in the same series until 2003 before becoming the KTM Motorsports Director. Adolf Weil, competing from 1960 to 1978, was nicknamed the “Iron Man of Motocross” with his long career and one of the most accomplished German motocross racers of his time.

The No. 94 Suzuki rider is now an official citizen of the United States.

“Yesterday was a big day for us,” announced Roczen on social media. “It is not very often you leave the house as a German and come back as an American. I am finally a US Citizen and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Others across the industry recognized the milestone event of Roczen, posting comments of support for the 30-year old.

Congrats and welcome to the club,” said retired rider Chad Reed.

“Lee Greenwood on repeat today,” Adam Enticknap shared with a laughing emoji

Bet that feels so good,” commented Paige Craig, wife of rider Christian Craig. “Congrats!”

Even outside of the motocross world, others took note of the day that Roczen became a citizen, including NASCAR Cup Series driver John Hunter Nemechek and Ostar Motorsports, a performance shop and wholesale distributor in Florida.

It’s not often an AMA competitor becomes a US citizen. Most athletes elect to compete under international visas or declare dual citizenship, if their country permits and recognizes it.