In September 2022, American Honda responded to Ken Roczen’s departure from Team Honda HRC after a six-year partnership. Brandon Wilson, American Honda’s Manager of Sports & Experiential, issued an official statement addressing the situation.
Wilson expressed the company’s appreciation for Roczen, stating, “We genuinely enjoy working with Ken and have loved having him on our team for the past six years. We have a ton of respect for the speed and talent he regularly demonstrates on the track, and even more so for the heart and dedication he has shown in returning from severe setbacks.”
He clarified that Honda had extended a contract extension offer to Roczen for the 2023 season, which was declined by Roczen and his team. The offer included a stipulation that Roczen not compete in a series that Honda views as a direct competitor to their supercross and motocross racing partners. Wilson emphasized, “We feel it’s important to support our racing partners and to treat all of our riders the same.”
Despite the differing priorities that led to the separation, Wilson affirmed that Honda’s esteem and appreciation for Roczen remain strong and unchanged.
This response came after Roczen announced his departure from the team, expressing gratitude for his time with Honda and indicating a desire to pursue new opportunities in his racing career.
The departure marked the end of a significant chapter for both Roczen and Honda, highlighting the complexities that can arise in professional sports partnerships when individual ambitions and organizational priorities diverge.
